72 The Hunting Countries of England. 



being Four Elms Hill. The hounds have to be sent 

 on overnight ; and have generally taken advantage of 

 the hospitality of Mr. Hilton (Master of the Hoo 

 Harriers) or Mr. Hulkes of Higham. 



There is some pleasant undulating ground along 

 the north of the country at the back of Gravesend ; 

 but you soon get on to the hills — while,, again^ all the 

 north-west gradually merges into fruit gardens, alto- 

 gether at variance with crosscountry foxhunting. 

 Cobham Hall (Lord Darnley^s) is a meet, though 

 hounds seldom go there nowadays ; and a fox has been 

 known to run from there through the outskirts of 

 Gravesend, to be killed on the Thames bank at North.- 

 fleet. Swanscombe Bottom (with some considerable 

 coverts near) is, perhaps, the northernmost meet here- 

 abouts ; and Swanley Junction the widest on the 

 north-west. On the East Hills foxes are stout and 

 wild — not easy to kill, nor easy to keep above ground. 

 One of their best friends is Sir William Hart-Dyke, of 

 Lullingstone Castle, whose coverts are ever a sure find 

 — as are those of Mr. Warings of Chelsfield (whose 

 love for the good red rover is quite a hobby) . Mr. 

 John E/UsselPs coverts at Horton, also, are notable as 

 being never drawn blank. Farningham, Hartley, and 

 Portobello are other frequent meets for these Hills. 



To the south of them is a narrow vale running by 

 Ightham to Sevenoaks ; and near the latter are some 

 large woodlands belonging to Lord Amhurst, another 

 good supporter of the Hunt. Otford Gate, Ightham, 

 Crown Point, Wrotham, Addington-Park and Birling 

 Manor are all meets along the line of railway from 

 Sevenoaks to Maidstone; and just across the valley 



