298 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



between him and them and the line. But they took it on, and 

 Ave took the little brook— or fell in. And at the Lutterworth 

 turnpike it all changed — the fox. at all events (twenty-five 

 minutes). For, though up-wind now, they could merely hunt 

 (which you know is a very plough-country sort of thing, 

 especially after a Ball) ; and then it was we bethought our- 

 selves of the exact size and propriety of these Bitteswell fences. 

 So we worked our way back to the Osier Bed of Cotesbach — 

 some three-quarters of an hour from start — and the run came 

 to an end, I believe at an open drain or earth. 



Next night came the total eclipse of the moon — and of fox- 

 hunting. 



And since Saturday another dry frost, as you have very 

 possibly realised. The parched earth will be more waterless 

 than ever when again we ride over it. And yet, I maintain — 

 interruptions apart — the present has been hitherto an excellent 

 season, in this section of the shires of Northampton and 

 Warwick — showing that here at least a wet winter is no 

 absolutely necessary condition in the interests of sport. The 

 counties of Leicester and Rutland want the rain that has ever 

 been deemed a sine qua non there : and every man we meet 

 from that side of the Midlands is emphatically crying out 

 for it. 



It occurs to me that, if on the score of scent and sport we can 

 do without rain, we assuredly find ourselves better without it 

 for every other reason. Such a trifle as personal comfort may 

 be set aside without discussion. But, how much less mark do 

 we put on the land, how much less damage do we inflict on the 

 crops, how much less havoc do we play with the fences, while 

 the ground is firm and sound as this year — compared with 

 what happens when horses sink up to their fetlocks at every 

 stride, and up to their hocks at a well-poached gap ! A hunter 

 now takes his fences clean, and leaves most of them in much 

 the same state as he found them. But a tired, draggled 

 animal — however good a performer when fresh — is jumping all 

 the while under difficulties. He has not the physical strength 



