LETTER XXI. 235 



very bad and consequently condemned coverts often may 

 be found the foxes which will afford the much-lauded 

 runs of the season, if looked for in time. 



When our fixture was made in the season for any bad 

 woodlands, many of our fast men declined to show upon 

 such occasions, and begged me to leave such odious 

 places either for cub-hunting or the end of the season. 

 My reply always was, " I shall take the rough and the 

 smooth together, and for choice I will back the big woods 

 against the spinies for a good hard running fox." By 

 rattling them regularly, foxes would fly and afford us 

 good chases, and I think, taking the season together, our 

 longest and best runs were from large coverts. Our 

 quick things, which suited only our fast men, were, 

 however, generally from smaller places. So, to meet all 

 parties as nearly as possible, lovers of riding, as well as 

 lovers of hunting, I varied the scene with woodlands and 

 spinies, and thus secured the goodwill of all, as all knew 

 1 catered for the general amusement. 



