CLEVELAND AND ESKDALE. 151 



and it is limited in extent. Big woodlands and 

 wide boggy moors are the rule, and although 

 neither are so formidable as are to be found in 

 Capt. Johnstone's and the Bilsdale countries, 

 they are sufficiently forbidding to a stranger. 



But notwithstandino- all its drawbacks it carries 

 a good scent as a rule ; and although in some 

 parts the smoke from the numerous furnaces 

 affects that necessary commodity considerably, it 

 is still entitled to be reckoned one of the best 

 scenting countries in the north. Foxes, too, are 

 l^lentiful, a blank day is almost unknown, and 

 the peculiar geographical situation of the country 

 frequently enables hounds to hunt here when in 

 more inland places they cannot get out of the 

 kennel. 



The April hunting in Cleveland is exceptionally 

 enjoyable to those who like to see hounds both 

 hunt and race, and it is seldom that there is not 

 a run of more than average merit during the 

 early spring. In the cub-hunting season, or at 

 any rate the early part of it, scent is rather pre- 

 carious, especially in cover, owing to the immense 

 growth of bracken ; but it is frequently good in 

 the open, and it is no uncommon thing to have a 

 run before reo'ular huntino- commences that would 

 not discredit the middle of December. 



There were a few hounds kept in the neighbour- 

 hood of Roxby in the latter part of last century 

 and the earlier years of this. They were kept 



