The South Nottinghamshire. 229 



its coverts are of reasonable size ; and its fences are 

 good and fair — while across tlie Forest you may 

 gallop as freely as on old turf. As regards fences, it 

 should be noted that throughout the South Notts 

 territory they are all of a plain and simple nature, 

 and to be taken at a fly. Oxton itself is the great 

 centre point of this district, and is the property of 

 Mr. Henry Sherbrooke — one of the best and oldest 

 supporters of the Hunt. His coverts are Epperstone 

 Park (a strong and very holding wood), Oxton Bot- 

 toms (a long bed of swamp and reeds), and Graves 

 Lane, a wood which is held as neutral with the 

 Rufford. Meeting at Gronalston and Lowdham, hounds 

 get on to Mr. Francklin's property, to draw Thistley 

 Coppice, Bleasby Gorse (one of the best coverts of the 

 South Notts), Hallaughton Gorse and Wood — the 

 Wood being neutral with the Rufford. Thurgarton 

 Priory, by the death of whose proprietor, Mr. Milward, 

 the Hunt has lately lost one of its most valued 

 members, is a meet for the same coverts. Wood- 

 borough is the fixture nearest to the Kennels : and 

 from it they have Mr. Heymann^s good Gorse, 

 Ploughman Wood, Bulcote Wood, and Gedling Wood, 

 and Mr. Howett has planted a new gorse on 

 his stud-farm in this neighbourhood. Heymann^s 

 Gorse is a most favourite draw. It has round 

 it a considerable extent of grass, with strong 

 fences. It always holds a fox, and generally gives a 

 run. On the site of the old Forest, Sherwood 

 Lodge is advertised for Mr. Seeley's coverts — Cockliffe 

 Hill Gorse (another good place) Ramsdale Gorse, and 

 the plantations round the House. Bestwood is the 



