60 The Hunting Countries of England. 



the other side of the Nene, either in what is known 

 as the Soke (as the land just beyond the river is 

 termed), in the Forest, or in the vicinity of Stamford. 

 Some thirty years ago an unbroken line of woodland 

 existed from Milton right across to Deene (the 

 residence of the Cardigan family) and Bulwick, and 

 formed a continuation of the Rocking-ham Forest. 

 Much of this woodland has been cleared away; but 

 large woods still exist to the west of the Nene ; and 

 here the chief part of the cub-hunting, and hound 

 education generally, is carried on. The two greatest 

 strongholds in the Soke — among others too numerous 

 to enumerate — are the Bedford Purlieus (as its name 

 would imply, the property of the Duke of Bedford) 

 and Castor Hanglands. This large covert belongs to 

 the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who for years have 

 let it to the Fitzwilliam family — sufficient guarantee 

 that all desiderata for a schooling ground for hounds 

 are duly forthcoming. In drawing these woods — 

 as indeed may be said of hunting the whole country 

 — the rule is observed of working homewards from 

 the most distant coverts. Near Stamford the country 

 becomes lighter and more open. Lord Exeter has 

 considerable coverts ; but foxes apparently find their 

 welcome at Burghley a colder one than they were 

 accustomed to under a previous generation. Lord 

 Kesteven-'s little coverts are better favoured. Lawn 

 Wood and Hilly Wood, and, before the Great 

 Northern Railway pushed across here, there were 

 other coverts down towards Burrough Fen. Now^ 

 however, under the multiplied dangers of the rail- 

 ways this part is not regularly hunted. Walcot Hall 



