Origin of the Vine HunL 39 



may be, the H.H. seemed not to have claimed, or at 

 least not to have cared to go across the Turnpike 

 road ; so that this district remained vacant for Mr. 

 Chute's occupation. I have heard George regret the 

 loss of this country, where, he said, there was almost 

 always scent enough to secure blood whenever it was 

 wanted. But when Mr. St. John established his fox- 

 hounds, Mr. Chute gave up to him this district, to- 

 gether with a strip of country on the west of the 

 Loddon, from Sherfield to Pinge wood, including 

 Beech Hill and Strathfieldsaye. Mr. St. John pur- 

 chased his foxhounds in 18 10* though he had pre- 

 viously attempted to kill foxes over the heaths with 

 his harriers, aided by one steady old foxhound. The 

 time, therefore, when Mr. St. John would have re- 

 quired this accommodation, agrees exactly with the 

 time when Mr. Chute acquired, on the other side of 

 his country, the places vacated by the death of Mr. 

 Poyntz. All circumstances, therefore, agree in point- 

 ing out the year 18 10 as that in which the Vine 

 country acquired its present boundaries. Since that 

 time it has experienced no permanent alterations. 

 Some temporary changes took place, by mutual 

 agreement between Mr. Assheton Smith, and Mr. 

 Fellowes, as to the occupation of Wherwell, Doles 

 and Doyley woods.")- During the few seasons that the 



* My authority for the time when Mr. St. John purchased his 

 hounds is his son, the Rev. Edward St. John of West Court : 

 my authority for his previous attempts at foxhunting with his 

 harriers is his old friend and fellow sportsman, Mr. Blackall 

 Simonds. 



t In Mr. Fellowes' times, the Vine hunted several times at 

 Crookham hangings, Sidmonton, and Adbury, but this was by 

 no general permission, but only by special invitation for the day. 



