THE SHROPSHIRE COUNTRY 177 



in a village just as the good people were returning from 

 church. 



The Ludlow hounds came out this season under the 

 direction of a new master, Mr. Sitwell, who has, I am 

 informed, made every preparation necessary to pro- 

 mote sport. 



The best portion of Shropshire, as a hunting country 

 is that which is, hunted by Sir Watkin Wynn, but it 

 varies exceedingly. There is some very fair land about 

 Ercal Heath and Sundorne, and the Wheatland 

 country, although very rough, holds a capital scent 

 and good stout, wild foxes. The fences in many parts 

 are very strong and are often augmented with wide 

 blind ditches, and in places there are some nasty 

 brooks. If a horse is sufficiently accomplished to get 

 safely over the fences, and has pace, he may be trusted 

 in any country. On the Titterstone Clee Hill the foxes 

 have a stronghold, I believe unequalled in any other 

 part of England. In many places there are huge 

 masses of granite lying about in a most chaotic fashion, 

 under which the foxes have their runs and from which 

 it is useless to attempt to bolt them. As it is utterly 

 impossible to stop these earths, on the night before 

 hunting, at the time the foxes are supposed to be 

 abroad in search of food, a range of fires isi lit along the 

 hills to cut off their retreat at daybreak, and the men 

 generally colliers from the neighbouring mines, who are 

 employed to make the fires remain on duty till the 

 hunting is over, that they may guard the entrances to 

 what may be appropriately termed the fortifications 

 of the foxes. The result of this is that they are found 

 in all directions ; some in the coverts, others in the 

 dingles or hollow pits, and being of a very wild nature 

 with anything of a scent they are sure to occasion a 

 clipping run. It is, however, an expensive process, as 

 it requires from thirty to forty men to manage the fires, 

 and they consume a considerable portion of ale and 

 cider, exclusive of their pay. The appearance of the 

 bonfires on the hills is a sure indication of what is about 



M 



