56 THE BROCKLESBY HOUNDS. [1833 



Tlie season, a very moderate one, particularly since 

 Christmas, came to a close on March 31st, hounds having 

 killed one hundred and six foxes and run thirty-nine to 

 ground. It was one of the worst scenting seasons in his 

 recollection, Smith says, but avers that he never saw 

 hounds work better or be more steady from hares. 



Regular hunting in 1833 began on October 15th, the 

 period of education having yielded twenty-nine foxes, 

 while eight were marked to ground. There were a great 

 many foot people out at Hundon, who considerably 

 interfered with sport, but a moderate day finished with a 

 brace of foxes eaten. Will Smith records the fact that on 

 November 3rd Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, "the 

 hero of Navarino," as he describes him, was out, he being 

 on a visit to Brocklesby. He describes him as being a 

 tine-looking old gentleman, fond of seeing hounds work, 

 and quite a sportsman of the old school. 



Two days later Will took a toss at Waltham, hurting 

 his neck and ribs, and keeping him to his room for a week ; 

 and on the 9tli Will Mason's horse — " the hollow-backed 

 mare" — was so badly staked at Willingham, lettiug her bo wels 

 out, that she was put out of her misery. Will says she was 

 no great loss as a hunter, but it was a shocking death. 



The first good run was on November 10th, from 

 Beelsby village, the first part being provided by an Irby 

 Holme fox. He first led the way, with Bowlands Covert 

 on the right, towards Cuxwold, but was headed and turned 

 short to the left by both the Beelsby Top Farms, where he 

 again turned to the left, and, with Beelsby on the left, 

 headed for Barnoldby. Here he turned short to the right 

 over the brook by Colonel Tufnell's farm, and, with Bacon 

 Holt on the left, wheeled to the right to the corner of 

 Ravendale Field. Then came a turn to the left to Haven- 

 dale, and one to the right to the earths there, pressing on 

 from thence, with Peterhills and Hawcrby right and left, 

 to and through Stock Furlong. And here hounds left the 

 run fox, being holloa'd away to a fresh one " by that wild 

 man, Mr. Towler, of Swinhope," and they hunted on by 



