328 Tally ho, 



lations exists it is not a diflBcult matter to maintain a 

 goodly show of hares and pheasants, and that without 

 limiting the numbers of the vulpine race. 



During this season I have had the good fortune to 

 ride on several occasions with the Belvoir Hounds, 

 and of witnessing the uutiring perseverance of Frank 

 Gillard, who will puzzle out a cold scent and recover 

 the line of a hunted fox in a style I have never seen 

 surpassed. Let the fixture be the Three Queens when 

 I have my choice, for the land is light, the fences 

 easy, with but few ditches, so that you have nothing 

 to do but to sit down on your horse and go your 

 hardest. This is not a fashionable " meet " with the 

 Melton division, as there is too much ploughed land 

 to suit the taste of those who think twenty-five 

 minutes^ across the grass the correct thing. But to 

 my taste the going over this portion of the Duke^s 

 country leaves nothing to be desired. No doubt a 

 run from Melton spinnies is likely to lead you over 

 a grander line, but I am well pleased to follow this 

 splendid pack, whenever I get a chance, over the 

 more easily negotiable ^^ country '' in the vicinity I 

 have named ; but then the fire of youth is wanting. 

 I hope ere the season finishes to have another day in 

 Belvoir woodlands. 



On the last occasion at which I was present the 

 meet was at the castle, and a fox was found within a 

 few yards of the stables, running over the beautiful 

 lawns and shrubberies of this truly ducal abode, and 

 away to the line of woods which crown the heights 

 that look upon the vale of Belvoir. 



These hounds were established in the year 1750, 

 and the high character of the pack has been most 



