The Wane of the Season, 331 



over than the Cottesmore, and it is greatly to be 

 hoped that the future Master will keep up their 

 'prestige now that the noble earl has resolved to relin- 

 quish them. 



The Quorn have, on the whole, had very good 

 sport, though there has been complaint of a short- 

 ness of foxes in some parts. This far-famed pack 

 fully maintains its long established reputation, and 

 has the advantage of being hunted by a first-class 

 man, "Tom Firr,'^ a thorough sportsman and tip- 

 top horseman, and when the Quorn get well away 

 and settle down to their work, it must be a stout 

 fox that lives for more than half an hour before 

 them ; especially should they find at Gartree Hill, 

 and go a burster in the direction of Teigh. 



The Pytchley have had some very good sport, 

 but I was not fortunate in the weather during my 

 visit, nevertheless, I saw one or two very good runs 

 over the best part of the country. Here again there 

 is a source of regret, in the fact of the retirement 

 of Lord Spencer at the close of the season. A better 

 or more popular Master there cannot be, and his 

 strict but courteous manner of controlling the enor- 

 mous fields that ride with these hounds, frequently 

 numbering from 400 to 500 men, has conduced in 

 a remarkable way to the sport which they have 

 shown. The North Warwickshire and the Ather- 

 stone have both done very well, and I was fortunate 

 enough to fall in with a very fair share of sport dur- 

 ing my visit to Rugby with both of these business-like 

 packs. 



The Devon and Somerset Staghounds have had 

 a very good season, and during the latter part the 



