98 FOX-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 



fact that where we killed our fox this day is nearly 

 thirty miles north of the spot on which a similar 

 event took place the previous afternoon. 



The most curious finish to a fox hunt that I 

 ever witnessed was killing a fox in the racquet- 

 court at Marlborough College on 31st January 

 1882, of which the following account appeared in 

 a Wiltshire newspaper : — 



''The Tedworth Hounds had quite a holiday 

 meet at Oare Hill on Tuesday. All who could 

 get a ' mount ' for the day turned out to enjoy 

 the national pastime, and hundreds were scarcely 

 less active on ' shank's mare.' Not only was 

 the meet a large one, but the finish of the first 

 run at Marlborough created no little excitement 

 in the precincts of Marlborough College. The 

 fox who sought refuge thither, was found in West 

 Woods, the vast extent of which may be imagined 

 when we say that 600 acres of the coppice 

 belong to Sir Henry Meux alone. Reynard was 

 forced from the woods, went to Gore Coppice, 

 back again, then made for Granham, passed the 

 house and turned sharp round to the White Horse 

 down ; without stopping to admire the glorious 

 panorama here visible of the town and downs to 

 the north and east, our fox went at a cracking 

 pace down the hill, crossed the river, and entered 

 the College Master's garden. The pack was too 

 close upon him for any stay, and desperately 

 seeking shelter amid the haunts of men (for we may 



I 



