44 THE BILLESDON HUNT. 



worth there was a dense fog, so thick that 

 you could scarcely see fifty yards around — 

 such Is the variableness of atmosphere in 

 this climate. This fog extended around the 

 place of meeting, causing some delay In 

 throwing off. There was a tolerably large 

 field for so early In the season, including 

 many well-known faces from far and near. 

 The proximity to the Pytchley enabled 

 several members to attend, among whom 

 were Lord Hopetoun and Mr Villiers. 

 After waiting beyond the usual hour for the 

 fog to clear away, the hounds proceeded to 

 Langton Caudwell, where they soon found 

 a fox, which broke across the valley to the 

 patch of gorse beyond, where there was 

 another fox ; and the body of the hounds 

 meeting one of them, unfortunately de- 

 molished him. A gentleman In black, 

 eager for a start, might have been the un- 

 intentional cause, but as I did not hear that 

 the master made any complaint, it would 



