282 Hunting Countries of England. 



is an unquestionable advantage offered to advanced 

 years, in the absence of fences in the Tedworth 

 country. Very few backbones can then stand with 

 indifference the jar of landing* over big jumps. Yet 

 the spirit may be strong as ever ; and the heart leap 

 as gaily to the sound of hounds in cry, as in early 

 boyhood. Where can a better, safer, outlet be found 

 than on the Downs and unfenced acres of the Ted- 

 worth — where the pack will often burst their fox as 

 quickly as in the Yale of Belvoir, and where a horse 

 may be extended without a pull from the start. 

 Assheton Smith was an octogenarian, when, on the 

 occasion of one of his last meets at Tedworth Park, 

 he had two such gallops in the day ; and the old man 

 rode as close to his hounds, and as keenly, as in 

 middle age. There was a rare scent. His first fox 

 broke from a covert hard by, with miles of open 

 country before him ; and his great hounds — loping 

 along like wolves — never lowered nor raised their 

 heads, till after twenty-seven furious minutes, over 

 down and wold, they galloped straight into their 

 fox. In the afternoon they pulled down a second 

 without a check — making up a day^s sport difficult to 

 beat. These hounds were of almost unparalleled size. 

 Several of them were allowed into the breakfast room ; 

 and could all put their heads on the table as they stood. 

 My informant (an eyewitness) gives their average as at 

 26 inches or over — a height that puts Mr. Fenwick 

 Bisset^s great staghounds to shame. Their descen- 

 dants in the present pack retain no such giant dimen- 

 sions. But they are a true built working sort ; and 

 with the country well held in the interest of foxhunting. 



