38 The Hunting Countries of England, 



centre of tlie higli ground wliicli is often named as a 

 rendezvous. From tlie former places a clioice is had 

 of either drawing the upland coverts of Stainton 

 (plantations), Swinhope Gorse, Rothwell, &c., or of 

 dipping into the lower country for Normanby Clump, 

 Claxby Wood, and the Usselby and Osgodby Planta- 

 tions. On the flat below are Owersby, Kingerby, &c., 

 with a wood near the latter place; while Linwood 

 Warren and Gersby Manor are among the most 

 common fixtures for the big neutral woods. The 

 pleasures of woodland hunting are measured entirely 

 by the accident of individual taste ; and call for no 

 comment at our hands. Supposing you to possess a 

 fondness for this, the wilder and more classic phase 

 of foxhunting, you may here indulge your predilec- 

 tions to the full — leading an almost forest life under 

 the joint auspices of the Brocklesby, South Wold 

 and Burton. With foxes enough for all, these glades 

 and dells are ringing every other day to the stirring 

 sounds of hound and horn. 



Farther westward, and beyond the New Navigation 

 Canal, hounds are taken occasionally to the neigh- 

 bourhood of Kirton and Grayingham — for Graying- 

 ham Gorse and Blyborough Covert, &c. North of 

 these places are various woods ; but the fixture-card 

 seldom points in their direction. The lower country 

 is of a rather deep character (being stiff clay) ; and 

 carries a good scent. Above Kirton you get on to 

 the Cliff — an inferior scenting tract, and lighter 

 going. 



Saturdays are generally employed in working the 

 country round, and to the north of Brocklesby. In 



