THE BADMINTON HUNT. 59 



hunted the Vale of White Horse, I saw 

 the most severe day I had at that time ex- 

 perienced. I had an introduction to Great 

 Wood on the i8th of December 1863, 

 when the Duke's hounds met at Swallot's 

 Gate, and finding in the aforesaid covert, 

 had a very punishing day ; when most 

 of the horses and riders who staid to the 

 finish were tired. The Duke's omnibus 

 was at Sutton, and I think all those whose 

 destination was Badminton were right glad 

 to avail themselves of the luxury of riding 

 home in such a cosy conveyance, — at all 

 events, I can answer for myself 



The principal places at which these 

 hounds meet are within the following dis- 

 tances from railway stations. As hunting 

 appointments are subservient to changes, 

 it may be well to observe that fresh ones 

 are occasionally introduced and old ones 

 discontinued. 



