DE. BRETT — OTTEK AND BADGER IN HERTS. 237 



two being killed at Munden at different times. A few years since 

 one was caught in a trap at Langieybury. Mr. Loyd had it let 

 loose, and it ran towards King's Langley. I am told they are 

 common at that place, and at Ashridge, and also at Ashlyns. Mr. E. 

 Ellis tells me that, in 1870, "a badger was caught in a trap in the 

 grounds at Aldenham Abbey. The keeper found it an awkward 

 creature to deal with. He could neither take it nor liberate it. 

 He then provided himself with a sack or bag, which he threw over 

 the animal, and removed it to the stable, where he tied it in a loose 

 box, and it was kept four or five days. He failed to domesticate it 

 in any degree ; it refused food and pined away, and died. It was 

 a full-grown badger, and had a formidable set of teeth." Some 

 years ago an earth of theirs was dug out at Aldenham Lodge, and 

 a litter of cubs found. An old man at Aldenham was a kind of 

 purveyor of badgers for bating. I am not sure whence he drew his 

 supplies for his patrons, but probably not far away. In 1875 a 

 female badger and three young ones were caught at the "Temple of 

 Pan," at The Grove, Lord Clarendon's. They were placed by the 

 keeper in an out-house, and some one going there unexpectedly 

 was so frightened as to run away, leaving the door open, and they, 

 all escaped but one. I am told that the best run they had in the 

 Vale of Aylesbury last year with the foxhounds was after a badger. 

 They did not discover it till after the run was over, and they 

 killed. Mr. Samuel Betts, of Hadliam Hall in this county, says : 

 " Some years ago, two, with their young ones, were taken in one 

 of the Hadham HaU woods, and I had them stuffed. Since then none 

 have been seen or heard of, and I believe they are now extinct in 

 this part of the county. Those referred to were taken out of a fox 

 earth, and, being such rare animals, I have since felt very sorry 

 that they were disturbed, but in those days everything had to give 

 way to foxes, with which, however, I do not believe the badgers 

 interfered at all." Mr. Eorsdyke, senior, the keeper who has lived 

 on the Cassiobury estate 60 years, says that 30 or 40 years ago 

 there were badgers in the Badgers' Dell at Cassiobury, and they 

 sold them to a man at Croxley Green, who kept a public-house, 

 and who used to have one placed in a tub, and dogs set on it. At 

 about this time, also, I am told one was baited annually at Sand- 

 ridge Pair, near St. Albans. There have been several Acts of 

 Parliament regarding cock fighting and badger baiting. The last 

 was in 1849, and these sports are now illegal. 



It is said that the " brock " or badger has legs on one side shorter 

 than the other. I have brought a stuffed one for you to examine, 

 and you can see if such is the case. 



