The Suffolk. 191 



every hundred yards. The fences all stand upon 

 banks, the earth being thrown up to a height of two 

 or three feet, and the single ditch dug to a con- 

 siderable width and a great depth. The hedges — 

 sometimes thorn alone, sometimes thorn and hazel 

 intermingled — are seldom so closely kept but that 

 weak and open places are forthcoming ; for it is 

 obvious that to separate wheat from beans, or even to 

 keep English sheep within bounds requires no such 

 height and strength of fence as where cattle are to be 

 herded. The ditches alone, however, demand a good 

 jump ; and though it may be often possible to walk on 

 to the bank before springing across the ditch, it is 

 more frequently necessary to drop the hindlegs alone 

 in passing over, thus securing impetus enough to 

 cover everything. The fences of the Essex Ruthins, 

 close at hand, can often be taken at a fly ; but the 

 Sufi'olk banks call for a double jump, and a slow 

 canter will generally be found the best pace at which 

 to approach them, even when the hounds are running 

 fast. 



A strong, stout horse, who has been taught to go 

 on-and-off, will carry a man over the country, not 

 only in safety but pretty nearly wherever hounds will 

 lead him. Tall horses are out of place ; and breeding, 

 though so useful when deep ground has to be encoun- 

 tered, must not be accompanied by length of leg. 

 Water is not often met with, though there are one 

 or two brooks which often lead to merriment and 

 small disaster. The chief, perhaps the only, timber 

 jumping, called for is by the stiles and gateways. 

 The latter, always low and feasible, are very commonly 



