Melton Mowbray, 2 13 



Hill, tlie residence of Mr. Finch, near the town of 

 Oakham. Having had the offer of a first-rate mount, 

 I went over to Oakham by rail, and rode on to cover 

 with Neale and the hounds. A beautiful place is 

 Burley, and pretty was the sight when the huntsman^ 

 on a grey horse, stood at the foot of the wide step& 

 of the house, with his hounds on the lawn, and a 

 numerous company of lookers-on and intending per- 

 formers assembled. Amongst them were to be seen 

 the Honourables Hugh and Charles and the Misses 

 Lowther, the Countess of Cardigan, and a host of 

 others. With little loss of time we proceeded to draw 

 the covers adjacent to the vale, but the weather be- 

 came disagreeable, and a soaking rain diminished the 

 pleasure. Soon, however, a challenge is heard; 

 '' Have at him, there ! ^^ cries Neale j then a view 

 halloa, and away we go. At this time the wind was 

 blowing hard and heavy rain was falling. Our fox, 

 not liking to face the elements, turned his back on 

 the beautiful line of country before us, and went off 

 at a rattling pace for the Burley Woods; through 

 which we drove him until he made for the open, and 

 ran to Exton Park, the seat of the Earl of Gains- 

 borough ; across which we hunted him steadily, having 

 a merry spin over the turf. After this our road lay 

 through a line of woodlands, with occasional spurts 

 across the open ; Neale sticking to his fox like a work- 

 man for two hours and thirty -five minutes, but losing 

 him, after an excellent hunting run, which I thoroughly 

 enjoyed. The latter part was over the open, with 

 big fences, but, being carried in splendid form, I was 

 not far from the hounds, and never desire to see a 

 better day^s sport. The hounds are thrown into cover 



