1887] THE WYKHAM BROOK. 155 



natural, with only a flag stuck in it to denote the general 

 direction, to a race in the eighties, with its trimmed fences, 

 and artificial water and rail jumps. There was another 

 race over the country at the meeting, for "hacks," "weight 

 for inches," in which Barnes Austin, living at Wykham 

 then, and owning some beautiful horses, entered one of 

 them. Stanley, the veterinary surgeon, also ran one in it, 

 than whom there was no better judge of a horse, or a finer 

 rider. He jumped the Wykham Brook with hounds, not 

 far from the place where, in later years. Lord Chesham 

 once jumjDed it clear, and Lord Camperdown is the only 

 other man who ever accomplished the same feat in the 

 same style. Many have gallantly ridden at it, and " got 

 over," but the three named are believed to be the only leash 

 who ever did bank to bank pat.* The rules printed on the 

 race card sound curious now. All dogs found on the course 

 were to be "destroyed"; horses were to be saddled "before 

 the stands." The races were evidently patronised by the 

 members of the W.H.C. (just like the annual Cottisford 

 meeting in " Mr. Drake's country " adjoining, which was 

 chiefly for hunters), and the Warwickshire hounds were 

 advertised on the card to meet at " Broughton Park next 

 morning at 10.30." 



SEASON 1887-88. 

 Lord Willoughby de Broke's diary : 



First day of culjlmutiiig on August 30th, at Stoke Wood, at five o'clock. 



Cubhuuted ou tlnrty-seveii days. Killed thirty-seven foxes, and ran 

 twelve to ground. 



First day of oi>eii liuntiug November 1st, at Weston House. Awful wind. 

 Frank, the second horseman, liad his hat blown oft* on the way to the meet, 

 and never saw it again. Could not do much in Wliichford Wood, as it was 

 positively dangerous. Bad fox at Traitor's Ford ; killed him directly. Ran 

 fast from Spencer's Gorse to Compton Wyniates, and lost. 



November 11th, Sivalclife Park. — Found at Bloxham Gorse ; got away 

 close to the fox, and ran him hard for twenty miinites, and killed him in the 

 open in the Heythrop country, pointing for Swerford. Found at Slnitford 

 Spinney, ran hard to Epwell Village, turned"~to the left, and ran nearly to 

 Swalcliffe ; turned to tlie right over the road, and left Sibford on the left, and 

 crossed the green lane above Traitor's Ford, and went on for Greenhill Gorse ; 



* This is the same brook, I think, jumped by Capt. Jennings and Jack Hicks. See 

 Vol. I., p. 176.— W. K. V. 



