IX 



up shooting tliem, and the foxes themselves will determine 



not to xDoke their bodies into narrow drains, and thus 



commit suicide. General Jenkins, I hope, still has his 



chap-in-a-tree, although I fear his keeper thinks the 



situation too near the pheasants. Bickley ought to breed 



us once more a good a litter of cubs, and Hanwood Gorse 



should return to its old reputation. Netley, too, has 



been unfortunate this season, while Cressage and Frodes- 



ley have afforded foxes when required. To sum up, I 



think that I can safely say that the Shropshire's star is 



in the ascendant, and whether she retains her unity of 



North and South beyond the coming season, or not, she 



will have the satisfaction of knowing that in hunting 



matters she has pulled herself together not a little. 



New gorse coverts are on the tapis. Over preservation of 



game is becoming discountenanced. The determination 



to back up a good aud princely-minded sportsman, who 



has come to their rescue, has taken possession of people 



and although they cannot cjuite repeat with truth the 



parody of Mr. Bromley Davenport on the greater Shires: 



" Quo cunque adspicias, nihil est nisi gramen et aer," 



They can truly say that a plentitude of enjoyment is to 



be won by them over the grass and plough in varying 



similitudes through Salopia's fair vale. 



I have yet a few words to say about the Ludlow pack, 



that, under the long reign of Mr. C. W. Wicksted, have 



made for themselves a name, which is fast extending 



beyond their own border as well as county. It is hardly 



to be wondere that the son of him, whom Warburton 



delights to honour in such strains as these — 



'• A fig for your Leicestershire swells 

 While Wicksted such sport can ensure, 

 Long- life to that varmint old Wells ! 

 Success to the country of Woore I 

 Let Statesmen on politics parley. 

 Let heroes go fight for renown, 

 While I've health to go hunting with Charley 

 I envy no Monarch his crown — '' 



should have brought foxhunting in South Shropshire and 



part of North Hereford to such a state of perfection.. 



