The Beginning of the E^id. 345 



reputation of being the most complete establishment 

 of its class in the country ; for more than half a century 

 it has been the winter residence of the veteran sports- 

 man whose name is associated so closely with all the 

 traditions of the shires. Placed on a gentle slope, 

 amidst trim gardens, gay with spring flowers, and 

 hedged around with luxuriant evergreen shrubs, 

 running down to the banks of the river Eye, upon the 

 bosom of which sails a stately swan, who seems some- 

 what disconcerted at the intrusion of such a host of 

 visitors. 



Assembled in the field on the farther side of the 

 stream I find " Tom Firr" surrounded by his renowned 

 pack, and encircled by a ring of admiring spectators. 

 Then I have time to note some of the best performers 

 with these crack hounds. First to meet my eye is the 

 Earl of Wilton, looking hale and hearty and fit to go 

 — a trifle more or less of years seems now to make no 

 difi'erence to the noble lord who has been hunting 

 some three days a week during his residence this 

 season at Melton; by his side rides the Countess of 

 Wilton, admirably mounted, accompanied by Lady 

 Florence Chaplin, who has the reputation of being a 

 first-rate performer over the big fields and large fences 

 of the shires. 



Next I observe Lord and Lady Grey de Wilton, the 

 latter one of the most graceful and elegant horsewomen 

 I have ever seen ; the Countess Annesley and her 

 sister, Mrs. Cecil Samuda, both accomplished and 

 experienced riders; Miss Chaplin of Brooksby, who 

 goes in first-rate form and is thoroughly at home on 

 the light-hearted nag, whose courage and playfulness 

 is evidently not diminished by a long and severe 



