432 The Hunting Countries of England. 



galloped over more readily than deep grass elsewhere. 

 The steam cultivator has had its turn at the land, is 

 generally considered to have played its part for the 

 present, and the soil has been allowed to settle 

 again — to be subjected only to the milder combing of 

 the horse plough. The fact that the soil is but a kind 

 of decayed " whinstone " lying on the top of the stone 

 itself, will account for its riding so light under all 

 conditions. 



Each field is from twenty to fifty acres in extent — 

 more of them, perhaps, being near the latter size than 

 the former. There is nothing, therefore, to hinder a 

 fox if inclined to a straight course — which, to do him 

 justice, he generally is, at all events if a member of 

 the hill breed. In Northumberland there are but few 

 trees in the hedgerows ; and the undulating slopes lie 

 open to the view for miles — all to the advantage of 

 the huntsman, and all against the fox. Over the 

 border, frequent belts of trees break the view, and 

 tempt foxes to run their length. Hounds can press 

 them then more readily than in the open ; and horse- 

 men, galloping freely outside, can keep pace readily 

 enough — till, perhaps, a sudden turn throws them a 

 field to the bad, and sends them round to seek an 

 outlet. In Northumberland the Hunt is entirely 

 dependent on whin (gorse) coverts — all of natural 

 origin, but in many instances now civilised into the 

 category of rent-producing property. In Roxburgh 

 there are two fine woodlands. Long Newton and 

 Beaumont, each of which is dignified by the inhabi- 

 tants of its neighbourhood with the title of The 

 Forest. These, with Ancrum and the Eildon Hills, 



