hi the Shires, 91 



latter^ to a thorough sportsman, is a most enjoyable 

 amusement, especially at the close of the season, 

 when frequently some of the best runs of the year 

 occur, the hounds coming across a travelling fox, who, 

 disdaining the coverts, goes straight away for his 

 home. The two best runs I ever witnessed occurred 

 under these circumstances, and as the ground rides 

 light in the springtime, and the foxes are in good 

 condition, you may depend upon having a " burster ^' 

 if you come across one of the right sort. 



The love of hunting in Lincolnshire is universal 

 amongst all classes, the farmers especially riding very 

 hard to hounds, and making their hunters handy and 

 fit for business. So popular is the sport, that a 

 " vulpecide ^^ would have a hot time of it ; but, for- 

 tunately, so base a proceeding as the destruction of 

 foxes is not chronicled in the annals of Rutlandshire. 

 Amongst the regular attendants and supporters of the 

 Belvoir are Sir Thomas Whichcote, who has long 

 followed the fortunes of this pack ; Mr. Wilson, of 

 Ramby; Colonel Reeve, of Leadenham; the Hon. 

 Murray Finch-Hatton, and Colonel Lane, represent- 

 ing the east side of the country ; whilst around Gran- 

 tham are to be found Sir W. Welby Gregory, Mr. 

 Turner, of Stoke, and his brother, of Panton ; Sir 

 John Thorold, Captain Thorold, Sir Hugh Cholmeley, 

 Captain Longstaffe, Mr. Hardy, and Mr. Welby, of 

 Allington. The coverts of Mrs. Sherwin Gregory and 

 the Earl of Dysart are the homes of many foxes, the 

 owners affording much sport to their friends and 

 neighbours, though not participating in the plea- 

 sure themselves. Grantham is the centre of the 

 hunt, and the Cottesmore and the Blankney, in 



