The Hertfordshire. 353 



takes in the home district^ and^ in the words of the 

 natives, is the " loose-off for the Londoners/^ Willion 

 is one of the leading Monday meets, and usually takes 

 them into the woods of Bush, and Box, neutral with 

 the Puckeridge (Mr. Stanford's colourer is requested 

 to note this point). There are many other strong 

 woods in this district ; for instance Wain Wood (a 

 sure find). West Wood and Westbury (equally good) : 

 and at Knebworth is another, further celebrated for 

 the depth of its rides. From Welwyn commences a 

 great chain of woodlands, stretching far beyond 

 Hertford, which Mr. Abel Smith of Woodhall and 

 Lord Cowper at Panshanger are admirably situated 

 to preserve. But the hunting is of a somewhat 

 limited description. Hatfield, too, is a Monday meet; 

 and Lord Salisbury is seldom without a fox on his 

 preserves. Symonds Hyde is a good fox-covert, and 

 well cared for. 



Of the Wednesday meets and coverts — Hexton is 

 the residence of one of the committee (Col. Young), 

 and is a good and frequent meet. Silsoe, or Higham 

 Gobion, are for the gardens at Wrest Park (Lord 

 Cowper' s place in Beds) and Maulden Woods. 

 Farthest north is Hawnes Park, generally leading to 

 the woods neutral with the Cambridgeshire, of which 

 Exeter Wood, with Great and Little Warden Woods 

 are a leading trio. All these are sure finds, as is 

 Wilshampstead Wood ; and from any of them a stiff 

 run over the border may be looked for. 



In the now curtailed Friday country, Ashbridge 

 (Lord Brownlow's), Gaddesden (Mr. Halsey's), and 

 Cheverell's Green are prominent meets : and the 



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