358 Tally ho, 



of the period, hoping, no doubt, to strengthen their 

 nerves, and to mature their judgment, by galloping 

 across country in their hours of ease, thus rendering 

 themselves generally fit to take their parts in the 

 vexed questions of the day. There is nothing in my 

 opinion so well calculated to give a man coolness 

 and decision as the habit of riding hard across 

 country in pursuit of the wily fox, by which he is 

 enabled, when called upon, to take the bull by the 

 horns, or the bear by his tail, as the case may 

 be. There was a thoroughly easy-going and friendly 

 disposition evinced by all assembled in that fine 

 old park to bid farewell to the Belvoir for a while. 

 Then, his Grace having given his instructions, Frank 

 Gillard and his hounds, accompanied by the large 

 cavalcade, move off in the direction of Waltham, and 

 we trot away, passing along the course in order to 

 draw a favourite cover in proximity to that quiet and 

 retired village. 



The day, however, though bright and clear, was 

 not calculated to produce much sport, and though one 

 or more foxes were found, and hunted for a while, 

 there was so little promise of a run that I left at an 

 early period of the day, and proceeded towards Belvoir 

 Castle, an opportunity having presented itself of see- 

 ing that ducal abode in all its glory, a chance I 

 thought that might not be afforded me again for 

 some time; and though I have on many occasions 

 been in the vicinity of the Castle, and have visited 

 the noble range of kennels, and examined the stables 

 and stud, yet I had never been within the portals 

 of the lordly edifice that stands so boldly forth on 

 the densely-wooded heights of Belvoir. 



