130 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



I maintain that it is a practice thoroughly adapted, and 

 I may add, indispensable to sport in that country. To 

 see these hounds draw the hanging covert at Eyeford 

 or Jolly's Gorse (a favourite covert near to Bradwell 

 Grove) is a treat worth riding any distance to enjoy. 

 The alacrity which Hills displays in getting his hounds 

 away and on the line when a fox has broke covert exceeds 

 that of any man I have ever yet seen, Mr. Osbaldeston 

 not even excepted ; and it is one of the most important 

 operations towards attaining a good run with blood at 

 the finish. 



After three or four years' practice as underwhip John 

 Goddard was promoted, and a more effective one never 

 turned a hound. He entered on the duties of first whip 

 some ten or twelve years ago, since which the White 

 Hart at Chipping Norton being vacant, he determined 

 to try his hand at inn-keeping. That, however, did not 

 suit his taste long; and he has again entered into the 

 service of the chase. 



During the last twelve years the Heythrop country 

 has been entirely under the control of Lord Redesdale. 

 A more popular master of hounds cannot exist. His 

 lordship's devoted attention to parliamentary duties 

 occasions his absence from the field more frequently 

 than those who hunt with these hounds would wish. 

 After business commences in the House Lord Redesdale 

 almost invariably repairs to London. It was reported 

 at one period, in consequence of the railway which now 

 passes through the country but which was then only in 

 anticipation, that his lordship would no longer keep on 

 the hounds. Fortunately, however, that intention was 

 abandoned, and it is cheering to observe that railways 

 do not prove the impediments to fox-hunting that they 

 were expected to do. 



It is not always 1 perhaps with more propriety I 

 might say it is not often that any man has it in his 

 power to lead that course of life which he most desires. 

 If I had the good fortune to possess an income adequate 

 to the expenses I should certainly prefer Leicestershire 



