1856] A FAST RUN. 181 



Field, February IGtli, 1856 :— 



To the Editor of the Field. 



SiK, — Well knowing your willingness to chronicle any event connected with 

 field sports, and more especially the good old sport of fox-hunting, I gladly send 

 you an account of a remarkable run which took place recently with Mr. Meynell 

 Ingram's hounds. And, by-the-by, I may just remark en jMssant that the run 

 which I am about to describe is only oue of a series which this gallant pack 

 {under the able mastership of their respected owner) has had this season. 



On Saturday, the 9th ult., the meet was at Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire (ui)on 

 the unique gardens belonging to which the late noble owner lavished so much 

 taste and treasure), the ancestral seat of the Earls of Harrington. After partaking 

 of the hospitahty of the noble earl, "the field" trotted off to the covers of 

 E. A, Holden, Esq., of Aston Hall, which, contrary to the usual luck, were this 

 time drawn blank. Thence the pack proceeded to Arleston (an almost sure 

 find), where an old game fox, one of the right sort, soon broke cover. He 

 started as if he meant to cross Sinfin Moor; but, taking a new thought into his 

 head, doubled to the left at the back of Stenson village, and went for the Derby 

 and Birmingham Railway, the gates to which were found locked up. Perceiving 

 that if they were to catch sight of the pack any more that day some risk must be 

 run, a considerable part of the field got upon the railroad with the intention of 

 crossing, " Tom Leedham " (the huntsman), followed by Mr. Richard Ratcliffe, 

 having charged the rails. 



Here an amusing scene ensued. Some one raised the cry of " Train coming 

 up ! " which, as a matter of course, quickened the motions of those on the load. 

 There was before them a choice of two not very agreeable predicaments to be 

 placed in : either, on the one hand, to remain until the train passed, or charge a 

 thundering drop leap across an awkward flight of rails. Some took the leap, 

 others got off their horses, and all parties recovered "their propriety " as well as 

 they could. We believe some little incidents occurred worthy of having been 

 delineated by a Cruikshank. The railroad passed, away went the pack across 

 Hell Meadows, leaving Findern village to the left, and the residence of Sir 

 Seymour Blane, Bart., to the right, and on in the direction of the Asylum at 

 Mickleover — the gi-ound being awfully deep, and giving the horses " bellows to 

 mend." Then the hounds went directly on to the Derby and Burton turnpike 

 to the Asylum, by the bottom of Burmaston, doubling again, and running up 

 to Mr. Ashton Mosley's house, where the scent became a little more difficult. 

 Tom Leedham, however, persevered with his hounds, and again they went across 

 the Etwall road, where Master Reynard turned again to the left in the direction 

 of the covers. There he ran to ground in a plantation near Mosley's house. 



It is generally beHeved that, considering the state of the ground, this run was 

 one of the fastest things ever known. Time about forty-eight minutes, without 

 a check ; the run at racing pace from end to end. The distance has been 

 supposed to be little short of twelve miles. Amongst the " first flight " men 

 were Lord Stanhope (who rode his favourite mare, " Mad Moll," in his usual 

 manner, "straight as a bird"); Mr. Hugo Meynell Ingram, "Tom Leedham," 

 the Rev. James Holden, Lord Cavendish, Mr. Richard Ratcliftj Mr. Audinwood, 

 and Mr. Cocks. 



ROVPZK. 



