i6 HISTORY OF THE YORK AND AINSTY HUNT. 



Others, and Peel Beck and the StilHngfleet Drain afford 

 plenty of opportunities to the ambitious. 



The best part of the York and Ainsty country, however, 

 is that which has yet to be described, and which lies to 

 the east side of the river Derwent. This is known as the 

 Melbourne country, though Melbourne is only a very small 

 part of it. One side of the Melbourne country, that to the 

 west of Melbourne Hall, is 'sticky' enough, but fortunately 

 foxes seldom run over it, but show their good taste by taking 

 a good grass line. There is not much of this country which 

 belongs to the York and Ainsty proper, but Melbourne, 

 Bubwith Bridge, F"oggathorpe, Laytham Whin, Aughton 

 Nurseries and Auohton Ruddings are coverts within the limits 

 of the York and Ainsty country, all of which have a place in 

 history. The remainder of this division consists of the How- 

 den, Spaldington, Wressle and Breighton coverts, which are 

 lent by the Holderness, and some of which are occasionally 

 hunted by them. This Melbourne side is the finest part of the 

 York and Ainsty country. It is perfectly level, is mostly 

 grass, and generally carries a good scent. The enclosures are 

 large, there is plenty of room, and the fences, though they 

 require a good hunter and a bold jumper to negotiate them 

 safely, are perfectly fair. Here again a water-jumper is 

 required, for at one side or other is sure to be found a widish 

 drain, and Hell Dyke, which separates the York and Ainsty 

 and Holderness countries, could, if it were able to speak, tell 

 a tale of disaster and disappointed sportsmen who have got 

 in instead of over. Then when Hell Dyke has been crossed, 

 the Charity Drain has generally to be encountered, and 

 though not so formidable an obstacle, it is quite wide enough 

 for a half-tired horse. There is just about enough of this 

 country to serve for a day a fortnight, and perhaps an extra 

 day per month thrown in, and it is a pity there is not more 

 of it, for I know of no country so good. As an instance of 



