172 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



described at die time as the ' best spin I had almost ever 

 seen,' and on the 9th of that month from West Wood, in 

 the Friday country, Bailey got immense kudos for the 

 way in which he hunted his hounds in a first-rate hunting- 

 run of one hour and forty minutes, through the best part of 

 that country, and I remember well we had thirty miles to 

 ride home after it was over. 



" On two occasions during this season we found foxes 

 at Down Hall up a certain ivy-clad tree in the garden, quite 

 forty feet above the ground ; in one case three being seen 

 on branches of the same tree at the same time, and they 

 had to be dislodged by aid of a long ladder and pole — one 

 giving us a run after his descent from the skies, and fairly 

 beating the hounds. 



" One unfortunate incident, however, marked this year, 

 for on February 13th, 1880, in the Thaxted country, 

 while drawing- Holbrook and Bendish, two of our best 

 hounds. Transit and Melody, fell, whilst running, from 

 poison, and died almost instantly. 



"Then came the Hunt Meeting at the end of the 

 season, when Watlington and Arkwright retired ; I bought 

 the hounds from Arkwright and was persuaded to hunt the 

 country. 



" Bailey, Pirr and Littleworth remained with me, and 



