The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-10
Ghe Sportsman.
A RUN WITH THE HOUNDS.

In England, from the ISL OF september
to the end of March, "a day with the
hounds" is the most sportive Of all sports.
In every county there are three or four
''packs," and the hunting appointments
for each week are published in the various
local journals. A "pack of hounds" con-
sist Of twenty to fifty couple. The major
ity of the "packs" are owned by individual
gentlemen, but subscription packs are
BY no means uncommon. The only inter
lude TO continuous sport throughout the
winter is caused by Jack Frost whose
hoary presence is seldom of longer duration
than two or three weeks.
The "midlands" or midland countics"
are the most favoritc resorts for fox-hunt-
ing; and Leiccstershire, from time imme-
mortal, has always been the most frequent
cd. The hunting-ground of the old
"Quorn' taking its name from the village
Of Quorn-is most charmingly situated in
the centre Of the county, affording every
variety Of hill and dale, hedge and ditch,
fences and wells, wood and copse, to satisfy
the most venturesome equestrian. Tis a
''run" with the "Quorn" VIC propose to
give our readers--alas only in imagina-
ton; but the reality can be witnessed by
any one who may be SO fayorably circum-
stanccd as to pass winter in Old England.
Within an easy ride of the village Of
Quorn there is located one of the most
ancient and extensive parks--"0ld Brad
gate'--in the world, being nearly twelve
miles in circumference, and encompassed
with stone wall. It is Of historic re-
nown, and was formerly the residence of
Lady Jane Grey, who was beheaded by
order Of Bloody Mary Her memory
has been handed down to posterity, and
her marble monument, together with that
of her husband, Earl Guilford Dudley, are
carefully preserved in that relic Of antiqui-
ty, "Lady Jane Grey's Chapel" near to
which is the sunken tournament grounds
surrounded by stately elms, whose con-
tinuity is only broken on one side for the
entrance of the courtly cavalcades of by
gone ages. Bradgate Park Is but sparsely
studded with trees, almost its entire acre
age being covered with beautiful ferns,
growing to the height of two or three feet,
which afford a splendid retreat for millions
of rabbits, thousands Of deer, and scores of
foxes. The "old sod" is velvety with age,
and as you walk upon the sward it rebounds
with an elasticity which oblitertes the
footprints. The park is now the property
Of the Earl of Stamford, and is kept in
beautiful order by the keeper aud attend
ants, and is thrown open to the public for
two days every week in the summer
The "Quorn Hounds will meet ut Brad.
gate on Monday" is the welcome announce
ment in Saturdays local paper. The
neighborhood rejoices at the news, and
every sportsman who attends ''Divine ser
vice" on the Sunday fcrvently prays for
fine weather on the Monday. Well, the
morning dawns, and fine il is--one of
those beautiful, balmy days that betokens
certainty for magnificent "run with the
Quorn." At break of day, the entire
neighborhood is on the qui rire. Bipeds
and quadrupeds Of every class seem to vie
with each other in preparation with the
gala. "My lord" and "my Indy" are
astir earlier than usual, and at . o'clock
they are duly atsired in hunting costume
the former with black silk hat, swallow
tailed scarlet coat, and white buckskin
breeches of faultless fit, top-boots with n
mirror-like polish, spurs equally bright,
and hunting-whip with a six-foot lash Of
pipe-clay whitcness. "My lady is attired
with q 'jaunty," coquettishly-shapcd black
hat, illusion veil, dark green riding-habit
ofrichest hue, tight fitting boots, and silver
mounted whip. Seated at the library
window Of their mansion, they awaited the
summons that the horses are ready ut
''the hail. door Here they come along
the gravoled carriagc-way pancing, dane
ing, and gay. In another minute each
rider is in the saddle, and ut an .easy
pace" accompanied by groom at a
respectful distance" Old Bradgate is
reached half an hour before the 'sMeet, 4"
in time for mutual recognition of friends
among the nobility and gentry ere the
hounds "throw off.
The brightness Of the morning has
Ibrosght to the 'sMeetv large concourse
of pefsons, some 300 or 400 Of whom, In
the proportion of one lady to three gentle-
men, are mounted on magnificent 'sthor-
.oughhrods.'
The shuHtsmen' and tho ''whippersin, .
(two in nnmber,) wearing olivegreen
frock-coats to distfsgpish them from their
chief, who wears q ascarlet frock coat, while
fhe hounds are strue to time" By IOl
.nseioek Hunters horsas aad hoonds a.