120 The Hunting Countries of England. 



over the Vale proper ; and is looked for as eagerly as 

 a scurry over the Bushey and Elstree country is 

 waited for from Ne wherries. Ruislip and 0x1 ey are 

 both big deep woods : generally holding foxes. 

 Indeed^ this part of the O.B.H. country, though 

 thickly wooded, and not altogether good riding ground 

 (being often deep and boggy), is better stocked with 

 foxes than any in the hunt — and especially round 

 Hedgerley and Fulmer. The following is a list of 

 meets that will probably anticipate anything on the 

 fixture-card. We have given them thus fully 

 throughout this article that the names may be found 

 connected with one or other of the points mentioned 

 as accessible, by train or otherwise — Denham Place, 

 Denham Court, Harefield, West Hyde, Maple Cross, 

 Newlands, Gott^s Monument, The Pheasant at Chal- 

 font, Chalfont Potteries, Gerrard's Cross Common, 

 Longbottom Walton Park, Fulmer Hall, Hedgerley, 

 Hall Barn, and The Feathers Taplow. The leading 

 covert owners of the district are the Duke of Somerset, 

 Sir Robert Harvey, Messrs. Hibbert, W. Thompson, 

 Du Pre, and Allen. Hodgemoor (a first-rate covert 

 for foxes, though not altogether easy to ride through) 

 is, we believe, the property of Lord Denbigh. 



In conclusion, it may be said that the O.B.H. is a 

 country where, as long as anywhere, foxhunting has 

 been made the most of. There are, it is true, here 

 and there resident landowners who try and excuse 

 themselves for their lukewarmedness in the cause by 

 the plea that the country is not naturally well suited 

 for the sport. But in spite of cold scenting ground 

 and other difficulties many foxes are killed ; and the 



