A Week at Melton, 47 



an opportunity is given of admiring the " Cattle ^' and 

 their riders. 



Prominent amongst the ladies are Mrs. Stanley, 

 Lady Florence Dixie, and Miss Miles, splendidly 

 mounted, and looking very much at home. His Grace 

 the Duke of Rutland, the Master of the Belvoir, is in 

 his place, and amongst the numerous company are 

 Lord Wolverton on a handsome grey. Major Whyte- 

 Melville, Sir John Lister Kaye, Captain White ; Mr. 

 Younger and his son, fresh from Eton, and entering 

 well to hounds; the Messrs. Burbige; Mr. Jos. 

 Wilders, who, with Lord Carington, shook off the 

 whole field a few days back by charging the strong 

 posts and rails forming the boundary fence to a line of 

 railway now in the course of construction; Mr. Black, 

 Mr. Childs, and a host well-mounted, waiting eagerly 

 for a view halloo, but in vain, for the cover is drawn 

 blank, and Frank Gillard blows his horn, and the 

 hounds soon gather round him. 



"Whilst waiting for two or three stragglers there is 

 time to notice this splendid pack, which reflects the 

 highest credit on the huntsman; even in size and 

 colour, carrying more flesh than the Quorn, they ap- 

 pear more compact : whilst their splendid condition 

 causes their coats to resemble velvet, rivalling even 

 the " Fitzwilliam," which are noted for their bloom. 

 The whips are well mounted, and by the persistent 

 way in which one of them follows a disobedient hound 

 it is evident that he knows his business. Then on 

 we trot to another cover, the property of " His Grace," 

 which rarely fails to hold a fox, but on this occasion 

 is also drawn blank. Innumerable hares leave the 

 cover, proving the hounds to be steady as a die, there 



