The Puekeridge, 111 



— whicli (thougli witliin tlie boundaries of tlie Essex) 

 presents a tempting arena for Puekeridge foxes, when 

 these woods do themselves justice. Of late years, 

 however, -'tis said, the pheasants have taking to 

 crowing so loud that they have somewhat interfered 

 with bold Eeynard-'s comfort ; and he is not so often 

 found at home as is to be wished. For the Thaxted 

 district, though plough, has all the good qualities of 

 '^ the Euthins '' — to wit, good scenting soil, low thorn 

 fences which may be charged anywhere (the faster 

 the better, if you would clear the wide deep ditches 

 beyond), and which nowhere obstruct the rider^s view 

 of hounds as they run over the broad open fields. 



Takeley Forest, on the contrary, is a splendid 

 instance of hearty and unselfish fox-preserving. It 

 is neutral between the Puekeridge and the Essex, 

 and yet there is always game enough for both — as 

 may be gathered from the fact that the former pack 

 killed four brace of foxes from it last season. Mr. 

 J. Archer-Houblon no longer hunts himself, though 

 he was formerly co-partner with Messrs. Parry and 

 W. Wigram: for some years they had the pack 

 between them, till Mr. Parry bought the shares of 

 the other two gentlemen. From Takeley you will 

 expect, or rather hope, to run into the Essex Euthins. 

 Sir Eichard Sutton (no mean authority) gave it as 

 his opinion that the Euthins were " the best plough 

 land in England ; '' and, in our humble way, we are 

 far from wishing to contradict him. In the Euthins 

 you can always see hounds at their work, and you 

 may always ride to them, fast and freely and wide 

 of their backs. If you drop into the ditches, you 



