Melto7i : Its Manners and Customs, 2 29 



is now trying how lie can go across Leicestersliire. 

 I am bound to say lie has set about it in the right 

 way, for I saw some twenty-five hunters in blooming 

 condition, with coats like mirrors, good enough to 

 carry any man in the front rank to the fastest hounds 

 in the shii'es, notably a horse purchased of the Duke 

 of Hamilton for the sum of 1000 guineas. I should 

 wish no worse mishap to befall me than to find myself 

 confronting the Whissendine when seated upon him, 

 whilst riding in a clinker with the Quorn ; and, old 

 as I am, I would have a shy at that swiftly flowing 

 brook. Then let us ask Mr. Hughes, stud groom to 

 the Messrs. Behrens, to allow us to look over the nags 

 under his charge, for there we shall see a string of 

 upwards of forty capital hunters, in splendid condition, 

 betokening the utmost care, and all looking fit to go 

 for a man^s life. I have seen this stud on a former 

 occasion, when I observed their exceedingly fine con- 

 dition, and the care that is taken of them ; and I was 

 struck with the management and style in which this 

 and similar establishments in Melton are conducted, 

 and of the superior class of men who have the sole 

 charge of such valuable stock ; for instance, that of 

 the Earl of Wilton. But there is this to be said, that 

 good masters make good servants, and it was a treat 

 to me to hear Mr. Martin, his lordship^ s stud groom, 

 speak of the kind and considerate treatment he had 

 received when suffering from the efi'ects of an accident, 

 at the hands of the noble earl and his countess as well. 

 It did not surprise me to find that he took, not only 

 great pride in the performance of his duties, but that 

 he seemed to feel it a pleasure to have the opportunity 

 of acknowledging the care and thoughtful considera- 



