THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 



The unprecedented weather wliich was experienced 

 during the last days of March and the commencement 

 of April put a stop to hunting for a while, causing the 

 close of the season to be the least satisfactory part of 

 the performance. " Winter lingering in the lap of 

 spring'^ is a pretty poetical idea, but in. practice it 

 proved extremely inconvenient, upsetting my plans 

 and arrangements for being present at the " finish '' 

 with several of the crack packs in the shires. 



However, there is a tide in the affairs of men, and on 

 this occasion it led on to Melton, where I found myself 

 late in the evening, a cold wind blowing, a fitful rain 

 falling, every bed at the Greorge, and every steed in 

 the stable engaged — such was the announcement that 

 met me on arrival. ^^ But," said Mr. Childs, the ever 

 pleasant and obliging proprietor of this celebrated 

 establishment, " I will see what can be done for you." 

 Fortunately a noble lord, well known in the racing 

 world, having failed to fulfil his engagements, a 

 vacancy occurred, and I was removed to the Upper 

 House, and promptly installed in comfortable quarters. 

 All was bustle and excitement, and the town was 

 rapidly filling ; those who had braved the elements 

 were returning from the Melton Steeplechases in a 

 more or less moist condition ; others were flocking in 

 from all quarters, with the intent of being present at 



