The West Norfolk. 115 



It might be imagined that, Norfolk being essen- 

 tially a shooting county, the interests of foxhunting 

 would be looked upon not only as having no place, 

 but as being absolutely antagonistic. On the con- 

 trary, foxes have every chance given them in Norfolk, 

 are plentiful everywhere ; and, as there are lots 

 of rabbits for them, they interfere but little with 

 partridges or pheasants. Shooting undoubtedly holds 

 great sway in the county : but the large proprietors 

 are unselfish enough not to demand a monopoly, nor 

 to wish to oust the pursuit which finds fun for the 

 majority. Thus they encourage foxes, and are quite 

 satisfied if in return their shooting arrangements are 

 duly considered, and game not needlessly driven away 

 on the eve of their beat. In Mr. Hamond's country a 

 great part of the shooting — particularly in the centre 

 — is left in the hands of the farmers, who are all keen 

 foxhunters. In the majority of instances they farm 

 several hundred or even a thousand acres ; and being 

 obliged to ride something in order to get round their 

 farms, they take care to provide themselves with useful 

 young* horses, which are generally worth double the 

 money at five years old that they cost at two at Rugby 

 or Horncastle. And an excellent school it is for educat- 

 ing a young one, especially on the light or upper country 

 where the fences are small and easy, and teaching can 

 commence at the rudiments. A young horse will 

 always jump a big place when his blood is up, if he 

 has acquired thorough confidence over small and varied 

 fences. But he is likely enough to be made shy and 

 shifty, to say nothing of the chance of accident, if 

 " outfaced '^ or terrified in his early efforts. All the 



J 2 



