238 The Hunting Countries of England. 



learn, a dictionary word, is a Gloucestersliire term for 

 an open drain; wliile a '^commission ditcli'^ is a 

 similar cutting under the system of the Land Drainage 

 Commission. All these varieties take a great deal of 

 jumping; and demand a bold horse — the ground at 

 the same time calling for a well-bred one. The 

 Longdon Vale is perhaps the best sample of this side, 

 the country being all flat, nearly all grass, and fenced 

 chiefly with these commission ditches. Of coverts 

 there are no better instances than those of Mr. 

 Dowdeswell at Pull Court, and the Sarnhill Coverts. 

 Similar ground extends to Eldersfield. Below this is 

 Corse Grrove — a small hill surrounded by a belt of 

 covert, belonging part to Lord Coventry and part to 

 Mr. Baker, of Hasfield, and of great value to the Hunt. 

 By Gloucester the vale continues, a fine hunting 

 country ; but as you turn westward to Newent, you 

 find yourself once more approaching rough ground. 



Some of the chief meets on the three hunting days 

 are as follows : On a Monday the Somers Arms, 

 Eastnor, is usually fixed for Lord Somers' coverts; 

 the Pheasant Inn, Welland, for The Stank ; The 

 Kennels for Frith Wood, Wall Hills and Paunceford ; 

 Hope End for Hope End Coverts and Coddington; 

 Payford Bridge (which may sometimes also be fixed 

 for a Friday) for the coverts at Colin Park (Mr. F. 

 Ricardo) and numerous other safe draws. The Dymock 

 Woods, Aston Ingham, &c., are taken on a Monday, 

 and often on a byeday as well. 



On a Wednesday, north of the Kennels, are Bosbury 

 lor Beacon Hill, Poor's Wood, and various small 

 coverts round ; Cradley New Church, for the big 



