230 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



minutes by no means amiss. Mr. Musters's second cast was a 

 masterly one, and we ran our fox to ground in about twelve minutes 

 more. We found again in Siwell Wood, and had a fine run of 

 upwards of one hour. The country was between wet and dry, 

 consequently most severe, and there was a good deal of distress 

 among the nags. We had plenty of pace and plenty of hunting ; 

 but, in consequence of a long check, only seven saw the finish, which 

 was beautiful. We got him dead beaten-^in the midst of the hounds 

 — in a small covert ; but by one of those quick turns that foxes 

 make on these occasions, he broke again close to my horse's heels, 

 and got into a main earth in a hedge-row. It was a fine day's sport. 



As this was my first appearance in this part of Northamptonshire, 

 I was somewhat anxious to see the country. With our first fox I 

 did not like it. It was almost all plough, in small enclosures, hilly, 

 and altogether provincial. With our second, it was better ; a good 

 fox-hunting country, with a good share of grass, but not first-rate. 

 Siwell Wood I consider a beautiful covert. 



Monday the 13th met at the village of Great Harrowden, about 

 ten miles from Pitsford, on the great road between Welford and 

 Market Harborough ; killed a brace of foxes in the course of the 

 day ; had two sharp bursts, and some beautiful hunting with the 

 bitch pack. 



15th, met at Fawsley, near Daventry, the seat of Sir Charles 

 Knightley, twenty-two miles from Pitsford. Although no longer a 

 fox-hunter. Sir Charles takes care of the foxes, and we found directly. 

 Having no scent we could do nothing. 



On Monday the 20th met at one of their very crack places — 

 Misterton, the seat of Mr. Gough, near Lutterworth. Here are 

 generally to be seen artists fi"om all the neighbouring Hunts, and 

 some splitting work is the consequence, if a good fox is on foot. 

 On this day, however, owing to Lord Anson's fixture being a good 

 one, there were not more than two or three of his men, and very few 

 Quornites, as the Duke of Eutland met at a good place. Mr. 

 Holyoake went well upon old Baronet in spite of his music — and 

 Mr. Osbaldeston was also in the field. Altogether, perhaps a 

 hundred and twenty horsemen — considered a small field for 

 Misterton. 



