114 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



railway beyond Curate's Gorse — a rather unusual 

 happening. 



Sport was good all through March, and, in fact, 

 I think this was a really good season, probably the 

 best since '83-' 84. The Bel voir had their last day 

 on loth April, and though they met at the Castle for 

 the ostensible purpose of drawing the woods, Gillard 

 managed somehow to drift to Goadby Bullamore. 

 Here, it so happened, a good fox awaited us, who 

 chose a very nice line down Chadwell Valley, and then 

 away by Old Hills nearly to Saxelbye Wood. A 

 capital gallop and most of it very fast, which, of 

 course, being unexpected, was very much appreciated. 



I should like here to quote some remarks culled 

 from my Field notes at the close of the season, as I 

 have seen no reason to alter the opinions there ex- 

 pressed, and it may help to avoid friction with 

 our friends the farmers. 



" Fox-hunting in the spring is always unsatis- 

 factory ; and though we may not like bidding good- 

 bye to hounds, it would be better if the last of March 

 saw the last of hunting. One day in April will often 

 cause more unpleasantness with the occupiers of 

 land than would a dozen days earlier in the season. 

 Fences have been mended, fields have been rolled, 

 and the work of the farm is in full swing." 



