THE MASTERS OF BADMINTON 



ing-map is not more than seven miles, but there was 

 a considerable detour to Bourton-on-the-Hill, so 

 that the writer was not far out in point of distance. 



The seventh Duke, then, on his accession to the 

 title, succeeded to the mastership of the Badmin- 

 ton country only. Of this hunt, Nimrod tells us, 

 " There is a great portion of grass land in the 

 Badminton country. Indeed, for some covers, 

 Stanton Park for example, about seven miles from 

 Badminton, and near to Malmesbury, there is as 

 good a country to ride over, and one as advan- 

 tageous to hounds, as almost any part of England 

 can show. The foxes from that cover are also 

 noted for running stoutly and taking a deal of 

 killing. A gorse cover in Badminton Park is like- 

 wise a sure find, and generally shows a run. Some 

 years since a fox was repeatedly found in an old 

 ivy tree in it, and gave some excellent runs. Mr. 

 Kingscote, who married one of the Duke's daugh- 

 ters, now unfortunately no more, made several 

 gorse covers on his property, which are great ac- 

 quisitions to this hunt. Shipton Wood, close to the 

 town of Tetbury, the property of Mr. Estcourt, and 

 Silk Wood, between Tetbury and Kingscote, are 

 likewise favourite covers ; as also Box Wood, the 

 property of Mr. Huntley, whose son, the captain, 

 was a great supporter of this part of the country. 

 Hawkesbury- Upton, Elm-Ash (now called Foss 

 Lodge), and Dray cot Park, the seat of the Misses 

 Long, are also excellent fixtures. 



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