SEASON 1876-77 99 



from him, although sometimes rather short of a 

 suitable conveyance. Many a time would Frank 

 say, " Such and such a horse, your Grace, would 

 carry you well ! " " Does he suit you, Frank ? " 

 the Duke would ask, in his usual kind considerate 

 way ; " if so, keep him." One of these mounts was 

 a chestnut short-legged horse, well bred and up to 

 fifteen stone, called Melon, and unfortunately in 

 going through a gateway in a good run this season 

 he got pushed on to the hasp, which tore the flesh 

 on his ribs very considerably. Bad luck marked 

 him down ; for no sooner was he better and going 

 strong in a run than he reared up with Gillard and 

 fell dead as a stone by Kettleby. Frank laments 

 his loss in the diary : " He carried me five seasons, 

 and a stouter horse I never rode, coming out as he 

 did twice a week." 



The all - important day, which will long be 

 remembered in the annals of the Belvoir Hunt, 

 was April 10th, the occasion of the presentation of 

 plate valued at 2500 guineas to the ducal Master. 

 No fewer than 240 gentlemen and farmers of the 

 Belvoir Hunt subscribed as a token of their 

 esteem, respect, and grateful appreciation of the 

 sport during twenty years so liberally provided 

 for them. The presentation took place in the 

 armoury room at Belvoir Castle, where a very 

 large gathering of sportsmen and ladies dressed 

 for the hunt met the Duke, who wore scarlet. 

 Sir W. E. Welby Gregory, M.P., made the 

 presentation, in the absence of Lord Brownlow, 

 and amongst the large number present were Lord 



