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SPORT WITH HIS GRACE OF BEAUFORT,

LORDS REDESDALE, GIFFORD, AND FITZHARDINGE.

WHEN a man is about to embark on a hunting excursion merely for the purpose of seeking his own recreation, with no other object in view, he naturally endeavours to ascertain what hounds have been most successful in shewing sport; but when he has a two-fold motive to accomplish, that of his own amusement, combined with that of recording his observations, the greater inducement exists for his making a careful selection in order that he may send forth that which is interesting to the Sporting World independently of his own personal gratification. With these impressions, after having made a considerable sojourn in Worcestershire, where I had heard that Lord Redesdale's hounds, hitherto distinguished as the Heythrop, had been going on most gloriously; Lord Gifford, a new Master of Fox-hounds, having taken to the country vacated by Lord Ducie; and a great desire to see the Duke of Beaufort's magnificent establishment, I determined upon bending my course into that neighbourhood. The question then presented itself as to where would be the best locality for head-quarters. Chapel House or Chipping Norton, being within the immediate vicinity of the Heythrop kennels, would have suited well for those hounds alone, but would have been quite out of reach of the Duke of Beaufort and Lord Gifford; consequently I determined upon Northleach as the most favorable spot, more especially as Lord Fitzhardinge's hounds are generally within reach during the months that they hunt the Cheltenham country. Another most influential motive presented itself, in the conviction that the house and stables of Mr. Isaac Day are replete with every comfort requisite for the health and condition of man and horse. Thus, in defiance of the declaration of the frequenters of Cheltenham, and such like gay places of amusement, who require something more to enliven them and occupy their time than hunting, that it must be a dull situation on non-hunting days and during the evenings, yet I resolved on stationing myself where I was convinced my real object would be most conveniently accomplished-a resolution which I can most cheerfully congratulate myself upon, in having found everything exceeding my most sanguine expectations. To any man with whom hunting is an object, it is by far the best situation in this country.

My first appearance with Lord Redesdale's hounds was attended with success far beyond what I had any right to anticipate. They had decidedly one of the best runs I ever saw, and it was acknowledged by all who were out as being equal if not superior to anything of the season. This was on Wednesday, February 1st, when the place of meeting was Longborough Gate, whence they proceeded to draw Sezincote gorse, which was blank. The Duckery was better provided: a fox was instantly on foot, and as the scent was pretty good, added to the effect of the dainties which reynard had been in the habit of regaling himself upon under circumstances that did not require much bodily exertion on his part, he was not in condition to bear the effects of a

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protracted chase, and after running a burst of twenty minutes' duration, he fell before the pack on the summit of the hill above Sezincote House. Thus, his life, like that of many other gourmands, was sacrificed to his sensuality.-Various plantations and coverts were then drawn without finding, till we reached Crawthorne, or as I believe it is sometimes designated Donington Crawthorne; and as I am aware this run has excited much interest in the country, a description of it having already been the subject of some criticism, I am anxious to be as particular as possible as to the line of country which the fox took, and of the persons who were actually with the hounds: and although I feel perfectly independent of any controversial refutation which may arise from the jealous feelings of disappointed individuals who were, unfortunately for themselves, thrown out during this splendid run, I still feel some degree of incompetence in doing justice to the merits of the pack. The hounds had not reached the stronghold of the covert when a "view-halloo" on the outside, in the direction of Sezincote, announced the escape of one of those wary specimens of the vulpine genus, who, constantly on the alert, do not wait to be driven from the kennel. The wind being in his teeth, and the hounds, under Hill's prompt attention, out of covert and on the line with business-like alacrity, they settled down on such excellent terms, that, on approaching the road leading from Moreton-in-the-Marsh to Stow, near Longborough Gate, he was evidently convinced that a change in his tactics was his only chance he consequently turned to the left, leaving the village of Broadwell on the right, when he entered a small plantation; but, quitting it momentarily, pursued his course over a most splendid Vale to the Evenlode brook, when the animating events usually attendant on these scenes began to appear in various measures of excitement-previously to which more than one had sounded the bottom of a ditch, or otherwise exhibited some evidence of their having been intimately acquainted with Mother Earth. At the last fence, before reaching the Evenlode, Mr. Evans, who was going well, got a fall, and others might be noticed speculating on probabilities in order to avoid the brook. Some knew of a bridge, others thought of a ford, many. dreamt of a cold bath, but, not being reconciled to the "cold-watertreatment," however strongly the disciples of Preisnitz may advocate it, were evidently more desirous of witnessing the experiment made by his converts than to become practical pupils themselves. The hounds being over, and going on with the scent, no time for reflection was afforded to those who had been leading and who intended to maintain their places. Mr. Bulling and Goddard (the first Whip) charged it nearly at the same time, as also a young Gentleman on a grey galloway, whose name I have not been able to learn. John Day, jun., followed, and immediately afterwards Jem Hill. Mr. Joseph Bryant and Sam Darling also succeeded in reaching the other side, but I am given to understand not without first finding the bottom. After running a field or two, a sheep-foil caused a check, which enabled two or three of the Fielders" who had speculated for the bridge to get within reach, although not fairly in front rank places. Hitting the scent again, away they went at a racing pace for Addlestrop Hill, before reaching which Mr. Bulling, who was riding a friend's horse, finding him in difficulties, very

prudently stopped him: the little grey was also compelled to stay proceedings; while surmounting the hill with the hounds were John Day, on a grey horse belonging to Mr. Isaac Day, the Huntsman, and Whip, with some five or six following in their wake. Mr. Clifford and Mr. Smith, enabled by their knowledge of the country to take advantage of less severe fences and lighter galloping ground, got in good places at the top of the hill, which they maintained to the conclusion. The hounds now bore to the left in the direction of Castleton, where another deviation to the right gave us an idea that the fox was making for Salford spinnies; but he changed his mind, and went for Cornwell, leaving it on the right, continuing his course on the left of Cross Hands nearly to Long Compton, where he was either headed or turned again from distress: nevertheless, he faced the hill on the right of Little Rollright to within a few yards of Rollright stones, where a check ensued, which could not be retrieved. It was ascertained that the fox was chased by a sheep-dog, and the impression with some was that he had killed him; but, if it was so, the shepherd denied it, and I think the great probability is, that he went on for Wichford wood in the Warwickshire country, as the circumstance of a fox being coursed by any cur is almost certain to destroy the scent, and consequently the possibility of killing. The run occupied one hour; and as a large Field— I should conceive more than a hundred-all got a start from the Crawthorne covert, and as not more than thirty shewed at the termination, no question can be entertained of the severity of the pace.

Friday, Feb. 3.-Lord Redesdale's hounds met at Bruern; a cold cheerless morning: nevertheless, the hounds were on the scent of a fox as soon as they entered the covert, in which they rattled him at a merry pace about fifteen minutes, when he made his exit in the direction of Idbury, the pack close at his brush, and driving him up-wind for seven or eight minutes, he was compelled to seek refuge in a drain, otherwise they must have killed him.-Another fox was in waiting in the wood; consequently the hounds were taken back to try their luck with him. After a little pressing, he went away to Churchill Heath, through the covert, and, leaving Bledington on the right, to Kingham fields, but the scent was very moderate. The atmosphere being charged with rain and snow, it continued to decrease, and consequently every check made matters worse. They, however, contrived to hunt him to Sarsdon, where he was viewed, and bearing to the right towards Burford, they lost him near the turnpike-road. They then returned to Bruern, but to no purpose, as the weather was most inveterate indeed I never suffered so much from its inclemency as on my return to Northleach. The rain which fell first wetted me nearly through, and the snow which followed adhered to my clothes, rendering the cold so severe that it was certainly, with the wind in my face the whole of the way over a most exposed country, one of the most punishing rides I ever encountered.

From this time to the 22d Feb. I did not go out with the hounds at all, the frost, with very few exceptions, precluding the possibility; and on those days when hunting was practicable, they were out of reach, or the indications of the morning were such as to render the probability of hunting too questionable to make it worth the attempt. On the above

REASONS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF FOX-HUNTING.

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named day Lord Redesdale's hounds were appointed to meet at their crack covert, Bradwell Grove, and the high estimation in which the country around has always been held had raised me to the highest pinnacle of expectation-from whose summit we are often destined to fall on the rocks of disappointment. Such, however, was not the case in this instance. Surveying the country as I rode to covert with an inquisitive eye, the most sanguine anticipations were fully realised. Nothing can be conceived more superlatively adapted for a run than the country around, and, with a good fox and a fair portion of scent, the acme of enjoyment must ensue. A fine level tract of land extends for several miles over fields of great size, certainly averaging from forty to fifty acres each, with many much larger, generally intersected with stone-walls of practicable dimensions, and there is no doubt with a good scent hounds must cross it at a pace unattainable by horses.-On arriving at the scene of action, one of the most interesting assemblages had already congregated, augmented by a vast number of the Members of the University of Oxford, who hold this fixture in high esteem, which it certainly merits; nor did the appearance of the numerous spicey tits which had been tooled tandem-fashion, or the thorough-bred hacks which had carried the aspiring Sportsmen, evince any proof of having loitered on the road, though, to do justice to the condition and the discrimination of their riders or drivers, none of them appeared more distressed than must be consequent from a twenty-miles journey over a very moderate road.—It is highly gratifying to notice so numerous a turn-out from Alma Mater: it evinces beyond contradiction that the love of the chase is still cherished in the breasts of the rising generation. Associations formed, and amusements possessing an estimable character entered into in our youthful days, never lose their impressions at any age; and if adverse circumstances combine to deprive us eventually of their enjoyment, still the reminiscences of the pleasures in which we were participaters during the happiest periods of our lives are invariably subjects of delight, and never fail for the most enthusiastic purposes of anecdote. What comparison can be made between hunting and those ruinous excitements which young men of affluence are too frequently led into ! A man must have some employment for his leisure moments, some pleasurable pursuit to relax his mind upon. The choice is before him for good or for evil, and happy may he in after-times consider himself if he choose the innocuous. We have had such desperate examples of the consequences resulting from men of fortune having been led into extravagances, ruin, and bankruptcy, by the plotting and scheming of most villanous nests of scoundrels, that it behoves all who wish well to their junior relatives and friends to encourage such sports and amusements as will, by occupying their time and attention, divert them from such unhappy temptations. Hunting is happily an amusement unattended in itself by gambling inducements, and, when followed with earnestness, precludes the possibility of it, inasmuch as it affords no time. A man, having to rise at eight o'clock in the morning, cannot devote his time to play on the previous night, nor will he be must disposed to procrastinate his acquaintance with the sheets after the fatigues of a good run. Thus, if he hunt three or four days in the week, he cannot afford much time

for the hazard-table or cards: moreover, in a great measure it precludes the possibility of living in London.-As may naturally be supposed, with buoyant hearts and a spirit of rivalry of the most laudable kind, much larking takes place with the Oxford men, without which a vast fund of future as well as present enjoyment would be lost. Fewer opportunities would be afforded of expatiating upon the superior fencing qualifications of the hunter, or the determination, seat, and hands of the rider; besides which, practice, the essential of a superior horseman, would be much longer ere it could be acquired; and I must observe having noticed during the time of my visit in this neighbourhood many Oxonians who deserve the character of first-rate horsemen. It would be preposterous in me to say I have not also seen many to whom more practice would be highly serviceable: but I shall go no further than to recommend to them a constant attendance on hounds whenever they are within reach-to watch attentively the style of riding of such men as they may ascertain have acquired pre-eminence and bear in mind that nine times out of ten, when a horse is ridden to a standstill or refuses a fence, it is the rider's own fault.

The hounds commenced drawing the covert close by where they met, and soon got a fox on foot that did not require much pressing to induce him to break away from the wood: leaving Shilton village on the left, by Alvescat Downs nearly to Kilkenny Farm, then bearing somewhat to the right for Norton Bridge, where the hounds checked. Fancying he might have gone on for the Forest, Hill with his usual alacrity held his hounds forward, but without success; for returning to where they had thrown up their heads, he found the fox had sought retirement in a stone quarry, whence it was impossible to bolt him. It was a pretty scurry as long as it lasted, but the scent over the ploughed land was anything but good. We then returned to Bradwell Grove, after drawing some plantations on the way, and whilst the hounds were in the covert a "halloo" was heard from some boys, the veracity or intention of which was naturally questioned: but as one of the juveniles was heard to squeak the best "Tally-ho" his feeble lungs were capable of producing, Jack Goddard (the Whip) went forward to ascertain what it meant, and upon learning that the boys had viewed a fox, the hounds were got upon his line with the utmost expedition. He had, however, been gone too long, and although they did wonders in their endeavours to hunt, the frequent checks which every ploughed field produced made matters worse, and they were compelled to give him up. As his line appeared to be in the direction of Jolly's gorse, that beautiful covert was drawn with a two-fold expectation, but with no favorable result, and a countermarch to Bradwell Grove was determined upon, when a fox jumped up under the noses of the pack. Of course so long as they had him in view they pursued at a merry pace, but there was no scent, and had he gone boldly away he must have save his life: this, however, he was not courageous enough to do; consequently, running the chain of covert, or nearly so, he was killed in a paddock close to the house, which terminated the sport of the day.

Thursday, Feb. 23.-Lord Gifford's hounds met at Barrow Elm. The frost having disappeared, there was every prospect of a scent, nor had they entered Lee wood many minutes before they found, and ere

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