222 The Hunting Countries of England. 



five days a fortnight can be managed. Plantations 

 and whins almost entirely constitute the coverts ; for^ 

 with the exception of the woods at Wynyard (where 

 foxes are found congregated in great numbers as 

 spring approaches) there is nothing that can be called 

 a woodland stronghold in the country. The Wynyard 

 woods are of great extent, with ample rides cutting in 

 every direction. At Castle Eden Dene in the extreme 

 north-east is a great wooded dingle running down to 

 the sea. But here we get into the coalpit district, 

 which' virtually annuls the whole of the northern 

 border for foxhunting purposes — though foxes lie 

 everywhere, and are even found on the very banks of 

 the collieries. Grood foxes they are too ; stout, ready 

 to travel, and loth to die. The fields that turn out to 

 see them hunted are often almost ridiculously small — 

 consisting only of a sprinkling of residents, a few 

 farmers, and perhaps a dozen representatives of the 

 coal and iron interests. Nevertheless, the sport is 

 well countenanced ; and certainly no one interferes 

 with reynard^s safety. The colliers show their personal 

 interest by turning out on foot in great numbers 

 whenever the chase comes within their reach. 



As a rule, the inclosures are small, and the greater 

 proportion of them are under the plough. Mr. Pigg's 

 song above quoted speaks of "the widespreading 

 pastures of Sadberge'^; but much of the grass has 

 disappeared since then — though the Long Newton and 

 Bishopton corner, abutting on the Hurworth and Lord 

 Zetland^s, is still held to be the cream of the country. 

 The ballad of the run " fre Foxhill,^^ put also in the 

 mouth of the same vigorous songster, recalls almost 



