22 THE BADMINTON HUNT. 



no earths, and the ridings were bad. Con- 

 stantly visited for five weeks, their numbers 

 were only reduced one brace, though two 

 of them took refuge In hollow trees. Per- 

 severance at length prevailed, and to con- 

 vince an incredulous friend, Mr Osbaldes- 

 ton made him a bet that on hearing his 

 voice or horn one or two would be sure to 

 fly. He told his friend where to station 

 himself, and won the money. I quite 

 believe the Lower Wood foxes would ex- 

 hibit similar propensities if not frequently 

 enlivened. It is not a favourite fixture 

 with some of the ultra fast men. The 

 rides are awfully deep, and I imagine there 

 are more lost shoes burled In them than In 

 any other similar space in the kingdom. 

 It is a difficult place to get a start from, as 

 speculation is often unprofitable. A fox 

 may break for Badminton, which Is the best 

 line ; or he may bend his course for Kings- 

 wood, a good grass country ; or he may 



