SJSASONS i84i-i86g. 83 



historian does not say anything about the roads being 

 convenient, but no horse could have carried a man all 

 through such a run without a bit of ease. It was in favour 

 of horses that hounds occasionally took a good ring, and that 

 there was consequently sometimes the chance of the inside 

 turn. It is not to be wondered at, however, that, in the 

 words of the historian, 'veterinary surgeons were in great 

 request in York on the following day.' In estimating this 

 run it must not be forgotten that not only did it take place 

 over the deepest and stiffest part of the Ainsty, but that, in 

 those days, the country was much more difficult to cross than 

 it is at present. There was a much greater percentage of 

 plough, and but little of the land was drained. 



The next good run of which there remains a record took 

 place in November, 1849, in the Thursday country. The 

 account, which is taken from BelVs Life of November iith, 

 is only a meagre one, and I give it in full : — 



' York and Ainsty Hounds. 

 ' Mr. Editor. — These hounds had a good run on Thursday 

 ' week. Met at Tewin (Scriven) Park, and on putting 

 ' into Scotton Banks a fox slipped out, away to Rawson's 

 ' Banks. It was not long before the hounds were on to 

 ' liim, and away by .Scotton to the north of Brearton 

 ' village. Here he turned towards Farnham Mires, to 

 ' Walkingham Warren, thence by the Dark Walk at 

 ' Copgrove to Loftus Hill. Here he turned back and 

 'made for Walkingham Warren, by Piel's house, having 

 ' tried an earth there which he found stopped. At this 

 'time the hounds were not a hundred yards behind him, 

 ' but a check occurred of two or three minutes, which 

 ' allowed reynard to get as far as Burton village before 

 'the hounds ran into him. The pace throughout was 

 ' good, with the exception of the check. The numerous 

 ' by-lanes allowed a large field to be in at the death. 

 ' After crossing a fox near Scriven Park, they tried 

 ' Gateshill, which was blank, as also Loftus Hill. As 

 ' the hounds had twenty miles to go home, they ceased 



