The Southdown. 13 



witli a ditcli on one side, frequently on both ; so that a 

 horse must be able to steady himself, measure his 

 stride accurately, and be prepared if necessary to drop 

 his hind legs for a second spring. Field is connected 

 with field by means of what are known as bar-ways — 

 gateways with draw-rails, to wit. 



The Southdown Hunt has lately experienced a 

 change of mastership, and, with it, an alteration in 

 the days of hunting. Under Mr. Streatfield, who was 

 Master for eleven years (showing excellent sport, 

 hounds took the field three days one week, and four 

 the next). Under the new master, Mr. C. Brand, it 

 is, we understand, proposed to hunt four days a week 

 regularly. Hitherto the method of distributing the 

 days has been much as follows — Monday and Satur- 

 day have been devoted to the weald or northern half 

 of the country, wherein Glynd (the residence of The 

 Speaker), Firle, Alciston, Seaford, Beddingham, Bar- 

 combe, Chailey (Mr. I. Ingram^s), Newick (Mr. W. 

 Sclater's), Street Green, &c., are frequent meets. 

 Lord Gage is the largest landed proprietor in these 

 parts ; is a staunch supporter of the Hunt ; and owns 

 several of the best coverts in the Hunt, including 

 Plashet and Abbott's Wood. Wednesday is generally 

 spent in the south-eastern corner of the country near 

 Eastbourne, with such meets as Polegate, Jevington, 

 Eastbourne, East or West Dean, &c. Friday is 

 always a Brighton meet, and means a large field, at 

 any rate for the early part of the day. Seven miles 

 from Brighton is about the outside distance for a ride 

 to covert on a Friday, and brings in such fixtures as 

 Offham (Sir G. Schiffner's), Stanmer Park (Lord Chi- 



