298 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



ever, much to the satisfaction of every member of the Hunt, and may he 

 not have to reUnquish the sport for very many years to come is the sincere 

 wish of us all. 



During the day one heard a good deal about the good hunting run our 

 hounds had placed to their credit on the Monday previous following a 

 meet at Bobbingworth Windmill and a morning and afternoon spent in 

 the Ongar Park country. Perhaps, however, I cannot do better than quote 

 vcvbatim Mr. F. Avila's account of this excellent day's sport, which he was 

 good enough to send me : — 



Dewley Wood 



" A Memorable Day with the Essex Foxhounds. 



" March 5th, met Bobbingworth Mill. A perfect hunting morning. The keen bracing air 

 made one feel like going. My pen* can scarcely do justice to this excellent day's sport. 



" After drawing Dewley and Greensted Woods blank we trotted off to Knightsland, where Sir 

 Charles Smith found us a fox and hounds, ran him well to Ongar Park, the usual line through 

 those big coverts to Gaynes Park, and back to the end of Ongar Park, Toot Hill side, where 

 he was viewed by a gentleman on foot trying to break away, but owing to high wire netting, 

 the fox could not do so and ran up the covert pointing for Ongar Park Hall, hounds running the 

 line slowly but well. Bailey asked the writer to slip up the ride, which he lost no time in doing 

 and was just in time to see the rascal going away. 



"A loud view halloa soon brought Bailey, hounds and field up, and quickly getting on the 

 line they ran beautifully by Greensted House, over Mr. White's Farm, over the brook and to 

 and through Greensted Wood, and skirting Dewley Wood and over Mr. George Brown's farm 

 to the railway, which they crossed, and away to Ongar Park, where they marked him to ground. 

 A very pretty run and thoroughly enjoyed by Messrs. Swire, Giles and W. Sewell, who had 

 decidedly the best of it ; Mr. Swire riding a bay horse that it would be hard to beat. I was 

 riding ' Dolly,' late the property of Captain Bruce, and found her a good mount. 



"The rest of the morning is hardly worth recording ; suffice it to say we were busy up and 

 down Ongar Park, Gaynes Park and the Beachetts. Foxes in plenty, but they would not leave 



* Mr. Avila is too modest. — Ed. 



