4 THE BEST SEASON ON RECORD. 



liouncls ran as if a great gallop were In prospect — tlie 

 former taking plunge after plunge over the dark green 

 fences through which the latter had disappeared from 

 sight. Three times they started thus and three times 

 matters steadied down to quiet hunting — FIrr and the 

 Quorn ladles sticking to their fox through all difficulties, 

 till about three o'clock they had him in hand near the 

 point from which he had started. 



The turf just now is in admirable order ; rich and soft 

 as velvet, after recent autumnal showers. Would that it 

 could continue so through the five months which to us 

 constitute the heart of the year, the soul of our fun ! 

 Now we gaily skim the surface ; now we are shot up and 

 over with the easiest effort of a good bold horse. By 

 and by progress may be a deep slow labour; every juii^p 

 a heavy trial — while hounds may be flitting phantoms, 

 and we, the lesser fry, become lost in the shoal of 

 struggling comrades. 



It is too early to say definitely avIio will be at Melton 

 for the winter. ]\Iany houses are taken, but several 

 rumours of coming visitors have yet to be realized. Mr. 

 Younger is obliged to give up hunting, and Craven 

 Lodge will probably change hands — while his beautiful 

 stud of horses Is to be dispersed at Tattersall's on the 

 29th instant. Baggrave Hall Is let to Mr. Trew ; and 

 Billesdon Coplow of ancient renown to Mr. Alston. 



