368 The Hunting Countries of England, 



Horse. Once clear of tliem an excellent country is 

 met with ; and foxes will go as far again as those bred 

 and tendered in small artificial coverts. Towards 

 Charlton and Crudwell is a capital district, of grass 

 riding, pleasant fencing and good scenting country. 

 The Sapperton and Oakley Woods (which though 

 coloured by Mr. Stanford and Mr. Hobson as exclu- 

 sively the Duke's, are regularly drawn by the Y.W.H. 

 — and, indeed, the Kennels of the latter are beyond 

 the painted margin) form still another feature of the 

 country ; and besides being invaluable for cub hunting 

 and teaching hounds, are at least a fortnightly resort 

 throughout the season. 



You must ride quite a hunter with the V.W.H., if 

 you would be with hounds. A lighter type of horse 

 may do on the northern, and higher, ground : but all 

 through the Vale, and more especially in the Braydon 

 district, he must be stout and strong and full of 

 condition. "Wherever the fixtures draw in the Duke's 

 men, or the train brings its cargo from Cheltenham 

 and elsewhere, you will find a strong field — at times 

 almost Leicestershire-like in its proportions. 



The Kennels, which are given by Lord Bathurst and 

 built on his property, Oakley Park, close to Ciren- 

 cester, are somewhat wide of many of the meets, 

 though well situated for cubhunting and the wood- 

 lands in the north-east. The Master's hunting 

 residence is Hill, at a stone's throw from the 

 Kennels. 



The country is hunted, day by day, much as follows, 

 though no unbending rule is laid down for weekly 

 routine. 



