The Bedale Hounds, 1832-1908 19 



Lordship a fox, which was taken by a poor 

 man (who Hves in a cottage near me) this 

 morning in the following singular way. He 

 was awoke very early by a fox taking away 

 one of his geese. Without any clothes on, 

 or even a stick in his hand he followed, shout- 

 ing, trying to recover his goose. The man 

 came up to the fox (I think) in the middle of 

 the second field, and after fighting some time 

 (the man having received several very severe 

 bites in his hands) at last got hold of him 

 with his teeth, and secured him. I could not 

 persuade the man to let him off again, so 

 thought it best to send to your Lordship, 

 as for fear he might be destroyed. 

 I have the honour to remain, 



My Lord Marquess, 

 Your Lordship's most obedient servant, 



5^. John Hutton. 

 Sowber Hill, 



23rd December, 1831. 



In 1832, Lord Darlington gave up hunting 

 the southern part of the Raby country, which 

 brings us to the formation of the ' ' Bedale 

 Hunt," to be described in the next chapter. 

 Before, however, leaving Lord Darhngton 

 and his country, the comments of ' * Nimrod ' ' 

 on it in particular, and Yorkshire in general, 

 about the year 1826, may be of interest. He 

 writes: *' It (Yorkshire) is too close to enjoy 

 hounds in, and subject to everlasting inter- 

 ruption from coverts, rivers, canals and rail- 

 roads. The ploughed land in some parts may 



