30 THE BEST SEASON OX RECORD. 



There is always miicli tliat is briglit and clieerful at 

 Kirby Gate. The first blusli of pink, the first ghtter of 

 snowy buckskin, lend a gaiety to the scene, that alone is 

 refreshing and inspiriting. That the gathering is 

 attractive as a show, is amply evinced by the regularity 

 with which it is brought to do duty as an annual picnic 

 for Leicester and the country round. So, besides their 

 doing what is right by themselves and comrades in 

 bringing their talents to bear upon the toilet of the day, 

 the brave gentlemen who take part in the pageant are 

 reall}^ performing a public duty, viz., popularising fox- 

 hunting and maintaining its place in public esteem. 

 What would the Lord Mayor be, but for the Lord 

 Mayor's Show ? Why is the sway of an Indian prince, 

 however cruel and tyrannical, al\7ays far more popular 

 with the multitude than the cold even justice of the 

 British rule ? Simply on account of the glitter and show 

 ever associated with the presence of an Eastern 

 potentate. Li like manner the gay colouring and bright 

 surroundings of foxhunting do quite as much towards 

 keeping it in favour as any of the more sterling 

 advantages it can boast, or even the claims of old 

 custom that it can urge. The whole countryside de- 

 light in viewing the passing pageantry of the chase, 

 and its brilliantly clad votaries are welcomed every- 

 where. A flirmer will take pride and pleasure in the 

 passage of the gay throng across his land, wlio would 

 give anything but a cordial welcome to a bevy of riders 

 merely loosing off their su])erfluous energy over his 

 farm. 



