310 The Hunting Countries of England, 



country for a month's scliooling_, on the termination 

 of their own season of feverish galloping. The 

 system of hunting in the one country would not of 

 course be applicable in toto to the other,, but it would 

 surprise them to learn, first, how often hounds, when 

 not immediately picked up or overriden, will puzzle 

 out a line that at first they seemed utterly at a loss 

 upon; and, secondly, how much they will make out 

 of it when assured that they can take their own time. 

 The frequency of the lanes and byepaths constitutes 

 one of the greatest difficulties the Dulverton hounds 

 have to contend against. It gives the one chance to 

 the field of marring sport ; and unless the Master is 

 determined that his hounds shall have time and room, 

 they are only too likely to be pressed at the very 

 moment their hunting powers are put most to the 

 test. 



The hard stony surface of the lanes is the most 

 difficult ground on which to carry a line ; and for this 

 reason is it a point of paramount necessity in Devon 

 and Somerset to breed foxhounds from such blood as 

 has been known to distinguish itself on the dry and 

 stone-paved tracks. Otherwise, the Dulverton is an 

 exceedingly good scenting country. Both its grass 

 enclosures and its heather carry a strong, almost 

 invariable, scent ; and a good pack of hounds — 

 handled by a man who understands them and his 

 country — seldom fail to account for their foxes. 



The Dulverton may be said to be an offshoot of the 

 Eggesford — or, as it is better known. Lord Ports- 

 mouth's — country. In one way or another it has 

 been hunted for generations. Prior to the year 1826, 



