The CattistocL 181 



say tliat the Cattistock district was as well preserved, 

 that its foxes were as strong, and that it carried as 

 good a scent as any part of the county. The low 

 country seldom denies a scent ; the upper ground — at 

 least the arable of it — should have rain-puddles lying 

 on its surface to be really seen at its best. The hills 

 are as steep and trying as those of the Cotswold — and 

 if the fences avail in any degree to keep hounds back 

 to horses, they act in an opposite direction in calling 

 upon the latter for a strong effort when they are least 

 able to afford it. Still it is always well within the 

 bounds of possibility for a good horse to live with 

 hounds over the Cattistock Hills — and, if he can do 

 this and travel the vale creditably besides, he is equal 

 to holding his own in any country. Breeding he must 

 have, and strength. Irish education, or at all events 

 Irish instinct, is wanted — for with the Cattistock, as 

 in the Blackmoor Yale, hindlegs have by no means 

 completed their office when they have given the first 

 propulsion. They must ^^kick back^"* to the razor 

 banks on the hills, and they may often be called upon 

 to dwell a moment before making a second spring 

 from the broader banks of the vale. The former 

 fences have often a double ditch ; while the latter — 

 especially in the actual vale of Blackmoor (a small 

 corner of which is hunted by the Cattistock) — are 

 distinguished by having a ditch and a drop on the one 

 side, the other side being a higher level of unbroken 

 ground till the bank is reached. On hill and in vale 

 alike the top of the bank is surmounted with ash or 

 hazel growth, which on the hills is generally cut-and- 

 laid j and a horse must be thoroughly bold to face such 



VOL. II. o 



