MELTON MOWBRAY. 

 III. 



On the Monday of my visit the Quorn met at Widmer- 

 pool New Inn^ and, the morning being fine, a nume- 

 rous assemblage was to be seen on horseback and in 

 carriages ; whilst, owing to the proximity of the 

 railway now in course of construction, the presence 

 of countless navvies added to the numbers, if not to 

 the appearance, of the gathering. There are many 

 of this class who are most industrious and respectable ; 

 but the numerous hangers-on who follow their fortunes 

 — too idle to work and too ready to appropriate what- 

 ever they can lay hands on — are foes to foxes and 

 game ; and it is to these loafers that I should attribute, 

 in part, the scarcity of the former in some of the 

 covers in the vicinity of the works now in progress. 

 But there is yet another reason, which, if known, may 

 be of service to the members of the Quorn Hunt in 

 promoting their sport. I venture, therefore, to direct 

 attention to certain facts which came under my notice 

 during my stay at Melton ; and, as the remarks I 

 heard did not emanate from one source only, but from 

 several well-wishers, I think I should not be wise to 

 refrain from mentioning them. Some of the tenants 

 in different localities feel aggrieved at not receiving 

 the customary presents of game, and say that the least 

 the members of the hunt could do for those who 



