464 The Hunting Countries of England. 



the other is not only tiring but is as difficult to live 

 over, with hounds when they really run, as is to be 

 found in any Hunt in the three kingdoms. 



Very small fields attend the Rufford in any part of 

 their country. There are no towns of any magnitude 

 within range, unless we except Chesterfield on the 

 western border — and that is not a very sporting place. 

 Again, the number of resident gentry is but small — 

 the Dukeries and other large properties usurping so 

 much of the ground. The farmers have usually turned 

 out in some strength ; but the " bad times ^' have 

 affected them, and limited their hunting, as much in 

 Nottinghamshire as elsewhere. If you were minded to 

 run down from a distance to see the Rufford, you 

 might come to Mansfield or Tuxford (each about four 

 hours from London) . But a visit to Ollerton in spring 

 or autumn would repay you best. You would see the 

 Forest under its best conditions, and the Rufford in 

 their prettiest sphere. Ollerton is quite in the centre 

 of the Hunt, and touches upon the thick of the 

 Forest. 



The kennels are the property of Mr. Henry Savile 

 (one of the strongest supporters of the Hunt), and 

 occupy a charming situation in his park at Rufford 

 Abbey. Four days a week see hounds in the field — 

 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday being the 

 days chosen. 



For the Forest some of the chief meets are Thoresby 

 Park, Rufford Abbey, Clipstone, Edwinstowe (the 

 residence of Mr. Harvey Bayly, Master of the Rufford), 

 Lang with Lodge (Col. Welfitt's, a former master), 

 Mansfield-Wodehouse, &c. ; while further west, in a 



