The Old Berkshire, 209 



eccentricities of boundary may be taken as accurately 

 set down on Mr. Stanford's Map — except that the 

 extreme south-west corner should extend another mile 

 and a half, to include Hinton, &c. 



The pith of the Old Berkshire consists in its Yale. 

 Practically it has two vales — the one of the Thames, 

 the other of its tributary the Rosey ; and it is the 

 valley of the Rosey that is known, and widely known, 

 as the Berkshire Vale. Limited in extent it may be ; 

 but it is enough to form the foundation and whole of 

 one excellent day in the week, while aiding and 

 contributing frequently to other two. Whether in this 

 Vale, or elsewhere, the Old Berkshire is with slight 

 exception an excellent country for houndwork. Foxes 

 are found everywhere in abundance : and almost every- 

 where the scenting properties of the soil are six-to- 

 four against them. Treadwell — many years ago — 

 scored higher with the Quorn than any of his numerous 

 predecessors ; but fallacious and odious as is, usually, 

 the comparison of kills numbered, it is pardonable to 

 put on record that with the Old Berkshire last season 

 he brought fifty-seven brace of foxes to hand — while 

 hunting only three days a week ! Apart from the old 

 huntsman's merits, it must be obvious that the country 

 is stocked with foxes in an exceptional degree. On 

 every side they are carefully nurtured and cared for : 

 and, not only are they always to be found when wanted, 

 but, once afoot, they must go for their lives — with a 

 good scent — and hounds unhampered by a swollen 

 field. For, except on a few days, fixed for instance, 

 for Challow and neighbourhood — when the Great 

 Western brings passengers from east and west, from 



