Farewell to the Belvoir, 357 



animal tliat is being paraded for his inspection. A 

 clever jumper and good performer is the bay mare, 

 wbicli its owner, the veteran and thorough-going 

 sportsman, Mr. Burbige, is exhibiting to the noble 

 master as a fit and proper style of nag to carry Frank 

 Gillard close up to his hounds. 



Conspicuous amongst the Melton division, which 

 is here in full force, is the Countess of Cardigan, 

 apparently anxious to finish the season with eclat; 

 Lady Florence Dixie, who has gone through a severe 

 campaign covered with laurels, and as eager and 

 undaunted at the close as she was at the commence- 

 ment of the year, albeit there was a certain look of 

 reflection which told of the previous evening's diver- 

 sion, which, however, was promptly dispelled by a 

 preliminary canter that her ladyship took by way 

 of giving her horse a " breather ; '' Mrs. Hornsby 

 and her daughter, from the Grantham side of the 

 country, beautifully mounted, and looking thoroughly 

 at home on their handy nags ; Mrs. Markham, in 

 her phaeton, driving a pair of high-stepping greys, 

 which, if I mistake not, were accustomed in former 

 days to carry the Countess Annesley and Mrs. Cecil 

 Samuda in first-rate style across country. In addition 

 to these were most of the notabilities of Melton and 

 the neighbourhood, making in all a noble show, and 

 exceeding in number that of any meet of the Belvoir 

 at which I have ever had the good fortune to be 

 present. 



A leisurely and lordly meeting was this last day 

 with the duke, sundry members of the Upper House 

 being present, tired in all probability with the peace- 

 ful platitudes, ill-timed inquiries, or bellicose speeches 



