64- HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



Whichcote, Major W. Longstaffe, and Mr. John 

 Hardy. 



On JNlarcli 21st, with the evening fox from INIelton 

 Spinney, one of those fast spins occurred for which 

 the Belvoir are so famous. After crossing the 

 Melton brook close to the town, they ran at a 

 great pace to Thorpe and Scalford, where there 

 was a welcome check, for the pace had been a 

 cracker. Following on to Waltham, it had to be 

 given up, for there was no more daylight. Those 

 who stayed to the finish were Major Tempest, 

 Captain King, Mr. Chaplin of Brooksby, and his 

 brother Mr. William. " We only wanted blood 

 to have made it a first-rate day," was Gillard's 

 verdict. 



The number of hunting days this season was 

 138, including cubbing, and 105 foxes were killed. 



Season 1874-75 



A change in the staff this season was caused 

 through Will Goodall being offered the Pytchley 

 horn by Earl Spencer, and in his place came 

 William Blakesborough, who had turned hounds 

 seven seasons for Lord Eglinton. He remained 

 but one season at Belvoir, and then went to hunt 

 Lord Middleton's hounds. 



The rider of the pale horse was very busy this 

 season, and made many gaps in the ranks of the 

 veterans ; before the year had run its course the 

 hunt deplored the loss of Lord George Manners, 

 Mr. Richard Norman, and Lord Forester. For 



