The Ledbury. 235 



has first to give his steed time to breathe, then to 

 learn, or guess, which direction hounds may have 

 taken — before he can avail himself of the smooth 

 grassy surface to set going again. There is always a 

 tremendous scent on this velvety upland, and never a 

 fence to check horse or hound; so, if a man can but 

 be there in time, he may see reynard wound up to a 

 very rapid tune. 



Leaving* this northern country, which furnishes one 

 day a week (Wednesday), we get towards the Kennels 

 — within two miles of which are Hope End Woods, the 

 property of Mr. Hewitt, who, too, though not a 

 hunting man, is a staunch friend to foxes. Indeed, 

 the Ledbury is altogether a very well-preserved 

 country, which gives it an advantage impossible to 

 over-estimate, where deep and extensive woodlands 

 have to be drawn. The worst of countries is good 

 enough if hounds are always running : a bad country 

 without foxes is purgatory. But the Ledbury is more 

 than a fair country, with plenty of foxes. Those 

 found at Hope End may cross the strip of green vale, 

 above alluded to as between the two tunnels, and 

 breast the steep side of Malvern, or else may move on 

 into the woodland which surrounds Lord Somers' 

 place, Eastnor Castle. (Frith Wood comes down to 

 the Kennel wall, and surmounts the tunnel that 

 debouches at Ledbury Station). 



The Eastnor Woods alone require hunting quite 

 once a fortnight; for, though by no means of un- 

 manageable size, they are wonderfully attractive to 

 foxes. Thus many a good traveller finds his way 

 thither from the open country westward, or even from 



