Gilpin observer., 1909-01-14


tom for wealthy American sportsmen
and women, too, to reside in England
during the fox hunting season, and
there are obvious reasons why the
bulk of them select Melton Mowbray
or the immediate neighborhood as
their place of abode. Melton is situat
ed in the center OF the finest hunting
country in the world, and is, accord
ingly, the most convenient place for
those sufficiently endowed with this
worlds goods who wish to enjoy the
best sport.
For this reason Melton's long-estab
lished claim to the title Of the hunt
ing metropolis cannot be questioned.
There are, of course, numerous other
hunting centers with their stretches of
good country, but there is always a
reverse side to the picture in the
form of plow or woodland, or of some
undesirable nature which detracts
from the pleasure of those who ride
to hounds. Providing man is well
mounted and his heart is in the right
place, ii is possible anywhere within
ten-mile radius of Melton to follow
the pack without ever having to turn
aside. Few who have ridden over this
happy hunting ground would change
their sphere for choice, so long as
their nerves remained unimpaired.
To extract the utmost pleasure out
of Leicestershire hunting 1t is abso-
lutely necessary to purchase the very
best horses that money can buy, other
wise it is almost impossible to keep
ones place in the front rank when
the hounds run fast. Then there is
no other hunting center which affords
such variety, for every week through
out the season 1t is possible to hunt
six days a week with one or other of
four of the leading packs in the coun-
try. namely. the Quorn, Belvoir, Cot
tesmore, or Mr.. Fernie's. On five out
of the six days the fixtures are with
in easy distance of Melton. but on
Thursdays it is generally necessary
to go further afield in search of sport.
though in these days OF swift running
motorcars, with convenient trains for
boxing horses, a journey of from 12 to
16 miles into Mr.. Fernie's domains
does not entail much ahrdship. An
other thing which perhaps in no small
measure adds to the glamour surround
ing Leicestershire is that one there
meets the creme de la creme of Eng
lish society. The fact that 1t is neces-
sary to subscribe to three or four diff
fenert packs does not weigh heavily.
Not only do the Americans secure
some of the most desirable residences,
but 1t can with truth be said that the
studs of hunters which they get to-
gether compare most favorably with
the best of those belonging to English
fox hunters.
So enamored is Mr.. Alexander Smith
Cochran of New York with Leicester
shire sport that he has decided to
make Melton Mowbray his permanent
winter quarters, and has recently pur-
chased Hamilton Lodge. delightful
hunting box which Lord Hamilton OF
Dalzell caused to be erected a few
years ago just on the outskirts of the
hunting metropolis. 1t stands on the
summit of Ankle HILL and although
outwardly by no means an imposing
structure from an architectural point
of view, internally 1t is one of the
most convenient hunting residences
pOSSlDle 10 lHiuslHe, Wulle III dHOlneT
part of the grounds surrounding the
house is an up.to-date range of stab
ling sheltering fine stud of nine
hunters and two carriage horses.
Sysonby Lodge, the summer resi-
dence of Maj. and the Hon. Mrs. Stir
ling-the latter an aunt to the duch-
ess of Newcastle-is always let let
for the hunting season. This pictur-
esque house is situated on the Noting
ham road. at the opposite end of Mel
ton. and seems to possess u special
attraction for Americans. 1t was here
that the duke of Marlborough brought
his bride (nee Miss Vanderbilt) the
first season after their marriage, and
It was afterward occupied by Capt
and Mrs. David Beatty, the latter be-
ing perhaps better known in America
as the daughter of the late Mr.. Marshall
Field. Mr.. and Mrs. II. u. Straw
bridge of Pennsylvania have now Sc
cured the place on a lease, and during
the past summer considerable addi-
tions have been made to the stabling
accommodation, which can now accom-.