116 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



It is also of considerable width. Almost the whole of it comes under 

 the denomination of a woodland country, though much of it has a 

 very fox-hunting appearance ; and were it not for the flints it would 

 rank high among the provincials. In point of fence it is not 

 difficult to get across, as there are no brooks, and the ditches are for 

 the most part dry ; but notwithstanding this, it is one in which no 

 man can be sure of being with homids. This is, first, owing to the 

 frequency of the coverts, in which hounds are hidden from his view ; 

 and, secondly, to the almost constant occurrence of those very wide 

 hedge-rows, which nothing in the shape of a horse can pass but by 

 pulling up into a walk and boring through. Here much time is 

 lost ; and in two instances I have been stuck fast in the middle of 

 them, unable for some minutes to get forward or backward. A gate- 

 leaper is essential, as in man}^ places the hedges are only cut once 

 in nine years for the fuel, so that they are impenetrable to a horse. 



It is true that a considerable part of Mr. Villebois' country is 

 pretty clear of flints. It is also true that less injury by cutting and 

 wounding is done to horses that are hunted in it than might be 

 imagined, though fatal cases do occur. 



There is one part of riding over Hampshire, however, very 

 injurious to horses, and from which I have witnessed several bad 

 accidents in the little I have hunted in it — and that is, leaping into 

 the roads covered with broken flints. At these fences, where the 

 drop is considerable, every man who has a regard foj: his horse, and 

 has good use of his own legs, should dismount ; for though the 

 injury to the internal part of the foot may not immediately appear, 

 danger of ruining him for ever is always at hand. 



A particular sort of horse, as well as hound, is adapted to Hamp- 

 shire. He should be well bred, on account of the hills; short in his 

 legs ; quick and handy to turn ; a good upright leaper ; and not long 

 in the pasterns on account of the flints. Tbe hair on his heels 

 should be encouraged to grow ; he should be drawn fine in his body, 

 and set on the muzzle the night before hunting. 



There is one part of Mr. Villebois' country, which, when looked at 

 by a sportsman, he regrets is not of greater extent, and that is called 

 the " Hartley country." It is composed of lai'ge grass fields with 

 strong fences, and holds a good scent. 



