240 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



tenths ploughed. In another respect also it is unfavourable to horses : 

 it is so very flat that hounds are lost sight of if suffered to get two 

 fields a-head ; so there is no riding to points, as in most other 

 provincial countries. The fences — the common hedge and ditch, 

 not often bound — though they occur frequently, are not difficult ; 

 but a brook-jumper is often wanted, as in parts there are many wide 

 drains. Few of the gates in the North are practicable, as they far 

 exceed the usual height. The stiles also, particularly in Durham, 

 were quite new to me. They are formed by two posts, about four 

 feet high, placed in the form of a V, and so narrow that a well-fed 

 Alderman could not, I should imagine, pass through them. Some of 

 the horses of the country, however, will either walk into or jump over 

 them ; but a mistake at them would be awful, as they would be certain 

 to hold them fast. I purpose giving in another place some notice of 

 the men who hunt, and the gentlemen who ride to the hounds. 



It was my good fortune, previous to my departure from home, to 

 receive an injunction from Sir Bellingham Graham against going to 

 an inn in Yorkshire whenever the scene of action lay within any 

 feasible distance of either of his houses — Whitwell or Norton 

 Conyers. 



Sir Bellingham Graham was at this time residing at Whitwell, 

 where I arrived on Sunday to dinner. His house is situated on the 

 left of the village (all his own), and, during his nine years' absence 

 from Yorkshire in the service of fox-hunting, was let to tenants, but 

 has lately been painted and furnished by the Baronet, and made in 

 every respect comfortable. It is beautifully situated, twelve miles 

 from York on the Scarborough road, and, standing on an eminence, 

 commands the whole vale between itself and York — at the end of 

 which is distinctly seen the noble Minster. 



In the winter months Sir Bellingham's residence is regulated by 

 Lord Darlington's hounds. When they are in the Bedale country, 

 he migrates to Norton Conyers ; and when they return to Eaby, he 

 returns to Whitwell, w^here he has Sir Tatton Sykes and the York. 



On Wednesday the 8th I made my first appearance with hounds 

 in Yorkshire. Sir Bellingham accompanied me to meet Sir Tatton 

 Sykes' pack at Galley Gap, about four miles from Whitwell, and not 

 so much from the kennel. The place appeared to me more adapted 



