308 The Hunting Countries of England. 



almost the busiest time in Devon and Somerset. 

 Every brancli of hunting (hind being substituted for 

 stag) is carried on through the month : and a hunting- 

 man could scarcely kill the time more effectively and 

 pleasurably than here. In the autumn, again_, every 

 pack is here at work by early September, often by 

 mid- August — and where could one who happens to be 

 without taste or opportunity for shooting, employ 

 himself better than amid the varied sport and health- 

 giving breezes of the West ? Exmoor may be 

 rough and cold and trying in the winter months ; but 

 there can be no healthier, more strengthening air than 

 blows across it in spring and autumn. The scenery 

 is bold and wide, — gorgeous and beautiful in autumn, 

 striking and refreshing in spring. In spring too the 

 great wooded ravines have lost all their under-covert ; 

 and as you gain each overhanging headland there is 

 little to prevent your seeing every movement of the 

 busy pack below. On the open moor you can ride 

 with hounds (after fox or stag) where they go : on its 

 borders, or beyond, you must follow a leader (none 

 better than the huntsman), who will guide you by 

 lane and path to where you can command a view and 

 see more of the actual sport than you could in any 

 flat woodland country. 



The town of Dulverton, from which the Hunt takes 

 its name, is on the Great Western Railway, about five 

 and a half hours from London; is neat, clean, and 

 picturesque, and offers every facility to the visiting 

 sportsman. The Kennels are at the Master's (Mr. 

 Froude Bellew^s) moor residence at Rhyll, within 

 easy walk of Anstey Station, and four miles from 



