16 The Hunting Countries of England. 



their soutli-eastern, or Maldon district — and killed 

 their foxes at the end. Hounds in such a country, it 

 is needless to say, must be able to keep their noses 

 down at all times, and puzzle the line out for them- 

 selves. And with a field of the proportions generally 

 seen with them, they have every chance of doing it. 

 The number of resident gentry who hunt with the 

 East Essex is comparatively, or rather positively, 

 small ; and were it not for the farmers — men of 

 sporting instinct and substantial means — the Hunt 

 would lead but an attenuated existence. As it is, it 

 leans for support upon a few large landowners, and 

 upon the whole body of farmers throughout its length. 

 Thirty-nine miles — from the river Blackwater and its 

 outlet into the Mouth of the Thames in the south, up 

 to the Eiver Stour in the north — is its extent ; while 

 its average width, as it runs up between the territories 

 of The Essex and the Essex and Suffolk, is about 

 fifteen miles. 



Braintree, till lately the site of the Kennels (and 

 about an hour and three-quarters from Liverpool- 

 street, London), is the chief centre of the Hunt — 

 though Halstead is a place of local importance, 

 and Witham is about half an hour nearer London. 

 Chelmsford, which, magnis componere parva, may be 

 termed the Melton of Essex, lies just outside its 

 border, and almost at the junction point of the three 

 Hunts (The Essex, Essex Union, and East Essex). 

 Indeed, Chelmsford is far and away the best hunting 

 quarter in the county. It commands the Ruthings 

 for fox or stag, and holds all else in the province in 

 its grasp. We are within the truth in asserting' that 



