334 The Hunting Countries of England. 



twenty years has kept a special keeper to watch, 

 preserve, and feed fox cubs, to the entire disregard of 

 hares or pheasants ; Mr. Holley of Oaklands ; Mr. 

 John Cobley, who would as soon see his table without 

 dinner as his best gorse without a fox for " my 

 Lord;" and Mr. George Tucker of Hill, another of 

 like sort. The church are also very staunch in 

 support of the chase. The late Rev. P. Johnson of 

 Wembworthy, though he never took the saddle in 

 person, was as good a preserver and neighbour to a 

 pack of hounds as could be desired. He was wont to 

 say, ^' I will have foxes on my property — in fact I put 

 it in my leases. '^ His son, recently M.P. for Exeter, 

 follows worthily in his father's footsteps. The Eev. 

 Nathaniel Hole of Broadwood Kelly was an active 

 friend to foxhunting as long as weight and health 

 would let him. No one ever worked more heartily in 

 the cause of the noble science than has the Rev. John 

 Luxton for twenty years; and few whips of the 

 present day can view Reynard away, or turn hounds, 

 quicker than he. Sir George Stucley of Aft on Castle 

 owns considerable property and many coverts in the 

 Eggesford country, and well supports the Hunt. The 

 large Preston property close to the Castle has just 

 passed into new hands, the present possessor is a very 

 keen sportsman and as kind a friend to the Hunt as 

 were his predecessors for so many years. 



All through Lord Portsmouth's country foxes are 

 found in plenty. Immediately round Eggesford they 

 positively swarm ; and last year no less than fourteen 

 litters were laid up in the home woods alone. No 

 doubt the universal support accorded to the Hunt is 



