The Wane of the Season, 329 



fully sustained during the Mastership of the noble 

 duke, who has won golden opinions from all classes 

 with whom he has come in contact; in proof of 

 which I may cite the fact of a splendid testimonial 

 being presented to him at the close of last 

 season. 



I know of no more pleasant way of spending an 

 off day, if residing at Melton, than by riding a good 

 stepper away through the quiet hamlet of Waltham, 

 admiring the splendid line of country lying on either 

 side of the roadway ; then cantering over the verdant 

 turf of Croxton Park, where at some time or other 

 you have in all probability dropped your money, 

 when backing your particular fancy, or going for 

 that dead certainty which, strange to say, didn''t come 

 off; and on through the pretty little village of 

 Knipton, at this season bright with the loveliest of 

 spring flowers, and the park gates of the noble 

 demesne of Belvoir are reached. Then, as you ride 

 along the level grass you have a splendid view of the 

 castle, standino- boldly on an eminence, the slopes of 

 which are thickly covered by choice evergreen shrubs 

 and lordly trees ; whilst at a respectful distance on 

 the banks of the lake, the bosom of which is thickly 

 studded with innumerable swans, stands the hunts- 

 man's house and the fine range of kennels. 



A pleasant welcome from Frank Gillard is a cer- 

 tainty, and then, when you look upon the noble lot of 

 animals, I shall be surprised if you do not say as I do, 

 that for evenness of size, uniformity of colour and 

 blooming condition, they cannot be excelled by any 

 pack in the kingdom. 



It is greatly to be regretted that two lines of rail- 



