xviii The North, South, and West Hereford, 



top boots among the whole field ; depend upon it they are 

 sportsmen." 



In Herefordsliire things I rejoice to say continue with 

 little alteration. Captain Lutwyche has consented to 

 continue his mastership, which, for the last few years has 

 been in commission almost annually, much to the damage 

 of its prestige. His sport this season, especially since 

 Christmas, has been above the average, Sutton Walls and 

 the Bodenham country being the scenes of good runs. It 

 is curious to notice how seldom scent lies in this country 

 until after Christmas. I have noticed it for years past, and 

 the foxes seem aware of it also, for they go straighter. 

 Captain Freke Lewis and Mr. Helme have, as joint masters, 

 in the South, changed places. The latter now takes the 

 horn, and the former the field management. How the 

 change will answer next season will prove. They both 

 have their hearts in the work, and have been judiciously 

 crossing their hounds with the Llangibby. 



Colonel Price in West Hereford and Radnorshire is, like 

 Mr. Wicksted in the Ludlow county, the figurehead of 

 the ship, although they differ in their appreciation of 

 Welsh blood. Colonel Price, it is true, found the blood 

 to his hand when he came from the Southdown country, 

 and was not at first so much in love with it as experience 

 has since taught him to be — still the result has been a 

 wonderful and unbroken success. Colonel Price still hunts 

 them himself, and shows sport cf which any huntsman 

 need be proud. The pack to look at is unique. More like 

 the United perhaps than any other, l)ut strorger in the 

 backs, and lower on the legs, and the'r handinesg as well 

 as cleverness are remarkable. Some tiemendous runs were 

 enjoyed this season, especially in the early part of it. One 

 run from Rhydspence, close to Whitney, straight to 



