A HUNT IN DURHAM 37 



weight-carrier named Norfolk, his kennel huntsman 

 riding on a lighter type of hunter named Dor- 

 mouse, the whipper-in's mount being Peacock, a 

 sharp bay. Going to a big range of woods sloping 

 down to the river Derwent, at Sneep Point, the 

 scene was one of solitary grandeur. On either side 

 of the ravine were the glories of autumn tints, 

 displayed by stunted oaks and silver birch. Alone 

 with Nature, the cry of hounds as they drove a fox 

 through the forest possessed a never to be forgotten 

 fascination. Sport in such a country is indeed 

 enjoyable and varied, but foxes do not come easily 

 to hand, because of the large extent of strong cover, 

 for it is impossible to stop the quarries and rocks. 

 On occasion foxes leave the forest fastness of the 

 vale, and ascending the high country hang about 

 the slag heaps on the hill-side, to the delight of a 

 mining population who welcome the stirring scene 

 of a hunt. 



Under the title " In a Remote Provincial Country " 

 appeared an article in the Evening Standard of 

 December 17, 1910, evidently written by one 

 thoroughly acquainted with the characteristic of 

 the Braes of Derwent hunt, although the name of 

 the hunt was not mentioned. The following is an 

 extract from the article, an excellent piece of word 

 painting of a very sporting community :— 



"It is not a fashionable hunt, though it is well 

 supported and can boast large fields, especially 

 on a Saturday, when many of the members can 

 take their only day of the week. The following 

 is not very strong in scarlet, but there is an im- 

 mense contingent of ladies of every age, from the 

 good lady who chaperones her granddaughters 

 to the granddaughters themselves — a Shetland 

 pony-riding division of rosy-faced children. 



