The Hurworth, 175 



grass field — everyday occurrence as it is in the Shires 

 — is almost unknown in the Hurworth Country, and 

 very rare anywhere in Northumberland, Durham, 

 or North Yorkshire. On the contrary, the sight 

 of a patch of green turf in front is always cheering 

 to the eyes of a huntsman, whose hounds have been 

 puzzling their way under difficulties. '^ Now we shall 

 get on" is a certainty; the pack freshens up, the 

 music rises, and life is at once lent to the proceedings. 

 The Hambleton Hills have none of the green slopes, 

 which adorn the edge of the moorlands rising upwards 

 from Lord Zetland's country and the Bedale ; but they 

 start up at once with steep rocky face, all beyond 

 being rough, unenclosed heather and moor. With a 

 full supply of foxes, the flat vale of the Hurworth 

 would be most sporting ground : for it is a good 

 country for hounds and above the average for horse- 

 men. But it is badly ofi" for coverts ; and from 

 various causes it is in some parts difficult to get foxes 

 preserved as they should be. There are very many 

 small freeholders ; and it has not always been found 

 possible to ensure a community of opinionfon a subject 

 that more than any other calls for the agreement of 

 good fellowship. As one instance in proof. All the 

 whin coverts of the north have suSered heavily under 

 the severe winters of recent years. But, where 

 coverts fail. Lord Zetland, just over the border, can 

 draw the fallows and make sure of a find in any half- 

 hour of the day. It is not so with the Hurworth. 

 They have some few good coverts on their Durham 

 ground ; and there are little places anxiously watched 

 and cared for in all parts of the country. But within 



