The Essex and Suffolk. 37 



THE ESSEX AND SUEEOLK.* 



A FLAT, and mostly deep, country, amid tlie outpour 

 of many rivers, the Essex and Suffolk occupies the 

 eastern delta of the two counties just north of the 

 Blackwater. The Orwell, the Stour, and the Colne 

 all wind their way through it ; and help, more or less, 

 to influence soil and surroundings. Plough from 

 end to end it is, in common with all this corner of 

 England ; and where it is stiffest and deepest, there 

 is found the best scent and the best sport. Col- 

 chester, Ipswich, and Harwich are the chief places 

 of note in its extent — the first-named being on its 

 western side, the other two on its eastern edge. 

 Colchester is the centre of its lightest and worst 

 district, but has the advantage of commanding many 

 of the meets of the East Essex. Ipswich and Harwich 

 on the other hand have some of the best of the home 

 Hunt close to their gates, but have no where else to 

 look for fox hunting — Harwich being on a point 

 running into the sea, while the ground east of Ipswich 

 owns no pack of fox hounds. We mention these 

 particulars for the possible use of such soldiers as 



* Vide Stanford's " Hunting Map," Sheet 17, and Hobson's 

 Foxhunting^ Atlas. 



