154 The Hunting Countries of England. 



excursionists ; and, consequently, the gathering at the 

 covertside is in a great measure local. The farmers 

 are very keen in their adhesion to an institution 

 which dates back to their grandfathers ; and a great 

 number of them join the chase, while all of them do 

 their best in its interest. 



Monday, Thursday, and Saturday are the hunting 

 days — Thursday being for the Vale, the other two 

 days for the hills. Monday takes in ^'the Kent hills,^* 

 i.e., the north-east of the country. Among the lead- 

 ing Monday meets are Addington for vSpring Park 

 and the coverts of Sir J. Lennard, who is one of the 

 principal members of the Hunt ; Down, from which 

 they draw Sir John Lubbock^s coverts at, and near, 

 his place at High Elms, such as Cuckoo Wood and 

 the stronghold of Sow Wood. On the edge of the 

 hills are Chevening and Knockholt, for Lord Stan-< 

 hope's coverts ; while the meet of Tatsfield points to 

 Mr. Gr. Christy's woods, which form a chain with 

 those of Sir John Lubbock. 



Among the Saturday meets on the hill — in Surrey 

 proper — are Merstham and Alderstead Heath, for 

 coverts of Lord Hylton, who, though he does not 

 himself hunt, preserves foxes heartily for the amuse- 

 ment of others. Banstead has the wood of Banstead 

 Park, and a chance of running over the Surrey Union 

 downs. Bradmore Green or Coulsdon Common are 

 fixed for the Master's coverts; and Coulsdon Court 

 is the opening meet of the season. Botley Hill takes 

 them to the woods of Mr. Leveson Cower, the largest 

 landowner and covertowner in the Hunt. Titsey 

 Plantation, for instance, on the edge of the low country 



