CHAPTER XI. 



The South Moltox Club — Stopping out the Foxes — 

 " Beatrice AND Barbara" — Russell and Radcliffe's 

 Stories — The "Little Speckletv Hen" — Russell's 

 Ducking in the Barle — Mallard and Cat snapped 

 up by Foxes in Chase. 



" Glorious West country ! . . . \ou must not despise their 

 accent, for it is the remains oi' a purer and nobler dialect than 

 our own ; and you will be surprised to hear me, when I am merr\-, 

 burst out into pure unintelligible Devonshire : when I am very childish, 

 my own country's langfuagfe comes to me like a dream of old 

 da)^s ! . . ." — Charles Kingslev. 



In 1845-46 a project for starting a new fox- 

 hunting club in the north of Devon, the rules 

 and arrangements of which should be identical 

 with those of the old Chulmleigh meetings, being 

 warmly approved by Russell, it was resolved 

 to establish it forthwith at South Molton, that 

 town being a convenient centre for the accom- 

 modation of all parties. Accordingly by Russell's 

 invitation, the packs of Sir Walter Carew 

 and Mr. Trelawny were appointed, together 

 with his own, to hunt the country for a whole 

 fortnight in spring and autumn ; while the 

 George Inn was fixed upon as head-quarters 



