46 Tallyho. 



A volume would be required to hold all tlie anec- 

 dotes that passed around that jovial table — of days 

 when the ^' Squire ^^ (Osbaldeston) was to the fore; 

 when Assheton Smith was in his prime^ Sir Bellingham 

 Graham hunted the Quorn, and Lord Brudenell went 

 the pace ; how Sir Harry Goodricke had eighty couples 

 of hounds in his kennels, and fifty horses in condition ; 

 when Mr. Maxsee was a great goer , and when Jack 

 Stevens whipped into the Squire. 



And thus we whiled the hours away, recalling days 

 long past, the recollections of which caused a glow 

 of warmth in the bosoms of those of the party who 

 were entitled to call themselves veterans. Then hav- 

 ing retired to rest I was soon fast asleep, dreaming 

 that I was travelling in the soda-water line, and that, 

 ^^ Kirby ^^ gate being shut, I went at it a " buster,^' 

 after the fashion of Jack Mytton, smashing the lot 

 with a loud crash, and waking to find it was '^ Boots,'' 

 with my hunting clothes, knocking loudly at the door, 

 for fear I should be too late for the meet with the 

 Belvoir. 



Leaving Melton I find the waters out in all direc- 

 tions, and, passing ^^ Melton Spinneys'' on the left, 

 and cantering along at a steady pace, there is an 

 opportunity of examining this splendid country, which 

 offers every facility for sport. Overtaking some scar- 

 let coats, and profiting by their knowledge of the 

 place, the distance is shortened by going on the bridle- 

 roads, and Saltby Church is reached to the moment. 

 There I find a large meet, certainly not less than two 

 hundred cf the cream of those liunting this country 

 being assembled. No time is lost, and the hounds are 

 taken to a cover close by, and, whilst they are drawing, 



