160 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [188» 



The best clay before Christmas was on December 23rd 

 from Cubley. A good fox went away from the new gorse 

 on the Snelston side, and they ran him to ground, almost 

 in view, after fifty-five minutes over the cream of the 

 country. This and some other days were descri])ed in the 

 Field. 



Field, January 4th, 1890 : — 



THE MEYNELL. 



Wednesday, December 19th, Brailsford. There was a good attendance at 

 this favourite fixture. All who would were hospitably entertained by Mr. Cox. 

 His coverts were first drawn, and for a wonder we did not find. White's and the 

 Old Gorse were also blank. Culland held at least two — if not more ; one was 

 soon away at the top end, hounds had a fair start, scent was good, and seemed 

 to improve. After going about a mile in the direction for Long Lane, he turned 

 left, and pointed for Brailsford ; the first fifteen minutes to the ploughs outside 

 Brailsford Car were very good, but scent here was cold, a few eager ones among 

 the field pressed upon hounds, and the fun was over. A mangy fox escaped. 

 Reeve's Moor (Longford) was the next draw, two foxes were found, one was 

 driven out on the Hollington side, and went at best pace close to Hollington 

 village, where he turned to the right for Thurvaston Stoop, and straight on across 

 good sound grass and stiff" fences, as hard as we could go, to Boden's Sticks, 

 reached in thirty-five minutes ; he just entered the covert, but did not dwell, and 

 continued forward towards Sutton. He was now running very short, with many 

 twists and turns, but hounds stuck to their work, until they were again too much 

 pressed by the " eager-to-be-first " brigade, who were deaf to the entreaties of 

 the master to give hounds more room, and there is little doubt pug owes his life 

 to these thrusters, as Charles had to give it up after passing the Long Covert at 

 Sutton. Another fox was soon found in Sutton Gorse, and away for Dalbury. At 

 first it seemed as if Radburne Rough was his point, but, if so, he changed his 

 mind, and turned left above the Hollow. In crossing the meadows between the 

 Lees and Trusley, he was coursed by a colley dog, and was left for another 

 occasion. It would have been a real good day if hounds had been given 

 fair play. 



Monday, 23rd, Cubley. Judging by the reports which have already 

 appeared from other districts in this week's Field, this appears to have been an 

 extraordinary day for scent throughout the Midlands, and it would be a safe bet 

 that the followers of the Meynell then enjoyed the run of the season. The gorse 

 was first drawn, but without sign ; from the (almost) adjoining covert a fine, bold 

 fox went away at 11.30 towards Snelston. After the first two fields hounds 

 raced ; heavy rain had made the going, though all grass, very sticky, and empty 

 saddles were numerous. From Snelston he held us to Wj'aston, Rodsley, and 

 Longford, reached in thirty-five minutes. Here the field was very select, and 

 several who had kept a good place to this point were compelled to stop, but still 

 there was no check, though hounds did not run quite so fast through Alkmontou 

 Bottoms towards Potter's. Before reaching this he swung to the right, and 

 succeeded in getting into a big rabbit-hole in Bentley Car just in front of the 

 hounds. Time, fifty-five minutes, across the cream of the Meynell country. 



