198 Hunting Countries of England. 



witli fences so small that the field are ever on the backs 

 of hounds. Aynho Park (Mr. Cartwright's) is a most 

 useful place for cub -hunting; as is also Tusmore 

 Park (Lord Efiingham's), and Evenlej Park, which is 

 generally the first draw from the Barley Mow (close 

 to Brackley, and on the borders of the Duke of 

 Grafton^s Hunt). The entente cordiale, by the way, 

 between the Bicester and the Dake of Grafton's 

 Hunt is so complete that, for the border meets of 

 either the neighbouring territory is always " stopped '' 

 by the other. Frit well gorse is always called upon 

 from Souldern Gate and Baynard's Green, and is a 

 most reliable covert. The Finmere and Mixbury 

 plantations are much favoured by foxes ; and often 

 lead to a gallop to Tingewick, or tempt a run thence. 

 Astrop and Thenford are, as above mentioned, occa- 

 sionally kept over for a Monday — should the Saturday 

 district appear to afford it. The former is the property 

 of Sir William Brown, and contains both coverts and 

 foxes — for Rosamond's Bower is a sure find, while 

 Willifers gives another excellent chance for brook- 

 jumpers, the stream being close to the covert, and 

 just of enticing width. At Thenford the Laurels and 

 Gorse are certainties, as are the neighbouring coverts 

 belonging to the Farthingho estates, and Cockley 

 Brake. The Northamptonshire country in the extreme 

 north is short of coverts ; at Helidon there are only 

 spinnies ; at Byfield there is a covert called Grifiin 

 Gorse, celebrated for good foxes, though not a certain 

 find; at Fenny Compton four spinnies; at Priors 

 Marston a small, and not very certain gorse; at 

 Boddington a good covert, Boddington Hill is to be 



