MR. RUSSELL.— 1832. 239 



hensions were dissipated by seeing Mr. Russell at some 

 distance riding at a i-apid rate, and his arrival soon relaxed 

 the chilly countenances of the Field into a bland smile of 

 anticipated enjoyment. 



Orders were given to draw Gaily Oak ; but not finding 

 there, recourse was had to Preston Bushes, and in about 

 five miimtes as good a fox as ever crossed a country was 

 found ; he went away, continued his career, and died like a 

 good one ; his pace was as straight and unflinching as it 

 was fast ; he went by Mickleton at a slapping pace, and 

 although we all got a good start, thex'e were many absentees 

 even at that place ; and at Baker's-hill, about seven miles 

 from the Bushes, the Field became very select. A check 

 of two or three minutes occurred here, which was most 

 acceptable to every one. From Baker's-hill we went direct 

 for Weston Park, which the fox ran through, and made an 

 attempt over the stone walls in Gloucestershire ; but his 

 fiat was sealed ; poor reynard was obliged to return to the 

 wood. As a last resource, he passed through a corner of 

 Weston-wood a second time ; and the hovmds finally ran 

 into him at Newcombes White-house, after a run of one 

 hour and three minutes, as good and as fast as any Sports- 

 man could wish ; and over as fine a country as hounds ever 

 crossed. I 



1 Fine, sunshiny days, Mr. Beckford considers not to be good 

 hunting days ; tliose warm witliout sun are perfectly so. In some fogs 

 scent lies well, in others not at all. Scent lies well in a high mist, 

 when it is not too wet ; but if the wet should hang on the bushes and 

 boughs, with a rough wind, it then continues to fall upon the scent, 

 and consequently to deaden it. When cobwebs hang flaccid upon the 

 bushes, scent is very uncertain ; during a mild white frost the scent 

 lies high, as it does likewise when the frost is gone ; but at the time 

 of its going off it never lies at all. 



