128 Frank Beers^ Diaries. [1871-72 



Cheerful and Brocklesby. 1 7^ couples of bitches, they 

 did well, ground very deep. 



'' Feb. 23rd. — Brackley. Found in the Gorse, away to 

 Steane ; hounds divided. Both lots ran away for Halse 

 Coppice, on to Helmdon, back towards Greatworth and 

 Brackley Gorse ; away again across Steane Park, over 

 the road to Hinton-in-the-Hedges, back to Brackley 

 Station, and Evenley Park. Two or three fresh foxes 

 were on foot ; we changed and went away ^^■ith a fresh 

 one to Whitfield Coppice, through Hatch Woods, Crown 

 Lands, to Bucknells : gave it up. Two or three fresh 

 foxes on foot there. A very hard day indeed for 

 hounds and horses, the ground fearfully heavy. Impos- 

 sible for horses to go with the hounds. A burning scent 

 in the morning. Had the bitches out again to-day^ 

 although they were out on Wednesday ; they worked 

 remarkably well. 18 couples. I rode Brocklesby and 

 Ensign. 



''March 15th— Met at Astwell Mill. His Royal 

 Highness Prince Arthur out. He came on a visit to 

 the Duke of Grafton at Wakefield Lodge. Weedon 

 Wood blank. Found in Plumpton Wood, away at a 

 great pace to Maidford, and killed him, at least a sheep- 

 dog undoubtedly did, as his owner popped him into a 

 ditch ! The hounds were that jealous they would not 

 eat the fox ! Found ao-ain in Seawell Wood, ran to 

 Grimscote Heath, round to Lichborough, back to Seawell 

 Wood, round to Cold Higham, and lost him. Kingthorn 

 and Astcote • Thorns blank, gave it up. 17 couples 

 bitches. I rode Cheerful and Brocklesby. 



" March 1 6th. — Wakefield Lawn. Found at Fire 

 Furze, away at a rattling pace, along to Bozenham Mill, 

 over the river to Hanslope, and lost him. Found again 

 at Colonel FitzRoy's new covert, ran at a killing pace to 



