179.5^ A FAMOUS RUN IN 1795. 17 



" Fuit Ilium et ingens Grloria Teucrorum." The old Siiortlng 

 Magazine, in its number of December, 1795, relates that 

 on the 8th of this month Mr. Corbet's hounds found a fox 

 at Wolford, and ran over Leamington Heath, Norton 

 Common, Evenlode Heath, Longborough Lees, Donington, 

 Scotts Brake, Eyford, Halford Holt, thence over Cold 

 Aston DoAvns, and towards Farmington Grove; then 

 through Sa])erton Grove, over the Gloucestershire Hills, 

 and killed the fox near Sandewell Park, within four miles 

 of Cheltenham, twenty-three miles as the crow flies, and 

 thirty-five miles as hounds ran.* It is said that the first 

 hour and a half of the run was without a check, followed 

 bv the same time of slow hunting, and then fifty minutes 

 more without a check. The head of the fox was preserved 

 for years, and it is not even suggested that there was any 

 change of foxes during such a run. The line traversed 

 during the greater part of it, after passing Donington, was 

 over a down country, at that time without a fence, which 

 makes it possible that the distance stated may have been 

 covered.! Mr. Corbet's huntsman, Will Barrow, was 



Turpin, Tragedy, Thoetis, Trusty, and Tawdry by Trojan. In this book tbere is a 

 Trojan, who is described as by Driver out of Gladness. Mr. Corbet bred a good deal 

 from Driver, and in 180" he had nine couples in his kennel by him. — Ibid. 



Dromo was Sir Richard Puleston's favourite hound. There is at Emral a large 

 headstone to the nramory of this famous hound, with an inscription : 



Alas, poor Dromo ! 



Reynard with dread oft heard his awful name. 



Died September, 1809. 



His name is -wTitten in large letters in Sir Richard's stud-book. — Ihid 



* Sixteen miles is the actual distance on the Ordnance map straight from Wolford 

 Woods to Cheltenham. 



t Mr. Corbet had the head of this fox preserved and put in a glass case in the 

 " Tempest Room," where the members of the Hunt then dined, and on the frame was 

 written the description of the chase ; the head coutiimed to grace the room for forty- 

 five successive years. Every sportsman who knew the history and the achievements of 

 this fox contemplated his stern, grim visage with delight, and many whose hearts never 

 responded to tlie gladsome " Tally-ho," felt some pleasure for a moment in looking at 

 the gallant old fox of Wolford Heath. In 1834 the White Lion changed proprietors, 

 and in the following year the tenant then in possession left the house. This relique of 

 eport had kept its station under every tenancy, and was considered a sort of heirloom to 

 the premises. An old sportsman on entering the room on the day of sale, exclaimed, 

 " Stole away." The fine old fox of Wolford Heath was nowhere to be found. Had 

 this not been the case, Ms likeness here had superseded the necessity of our making 

 this apology. — Vknator. 



A similar loss has taken place at Compton Verney, where the head of the old 

 Hillmorton fox has disappeared from the Muniment Room. 



Vol. I. C 



