THE BADMINTON HUNT 19 



walls with hedges In the vales. On the 

 east of Badminton there Is much grass 

 with hedges and ditches, which require a 

 hunter with a workman on his back. This 

 refers to the Christian Malford country, in- 

 cluding Hullavington and Grittleton, bear- 

 ing to the south for Chippenham and 

 Corsham. Steering for Melksham and 

 Calne the fences are of a similar character, 

 but north of the latter town are Beckhamp- 

 ton Downs, where with a scent hounds 

 generally outpace horses ; but it is of 

 trifling extent, and is the only part where 

 downs exist. 



The Midland Railway traverses the 

 western boundary of the country ; indeed, 

 it may almost be accepted as forming the 

 demarcation between this and Lord Fitz- 

 hardinge's. The Great Western ranges on 

 the east, forming a curve on the south to 

 Bath and Bristol, affording valuable accom- 

 modation to the sportsmen of either city. 



