The South Herefordshire. 241 



of Wales. And, true enougli, the Black Monntain of 

 Brecknockshire almost overlooks the South Hereford- 

 shire frontier ; and the extreme western border of the 

 country closely verges on the mountainous. But 

 throughout the length and breadth of South Hereford- 

 shire hill and woodland are strongly represented. Steep 

 and lofty ridges ride the country in every direction — 

 their wooded sides in several instances forming a con- 

 tinuous covert for miles. At their base^ however, 

 there is often room enough for a fox to set his head 

 over level ground for miles ; and if he will only choose 

 his way propitiously he need have no difficulty in lead- 

 ing the pursuit on pleasant lines. This is notably the 

 case at the foot of Marcle Hills, a trip eastward from 

 which or from Peristone Hill may be over the grass 

 into the Ledbury country; or, more at home, from 

 Garway Hill, Saddlebow Hill, &c., over the Harewood 

 and Trebandy vale — perhaps the best of the South 

 Hereford domain. Or, again — North of Callow Hill, 

 Allensmoor, &c., is a nice vale of mixed grass and 

 plough stretching up the Wye side from Hereford to 

 the Stockley Hills in the far north-west. A fox 

 traversing the latter vale may very likely be prompted 

 to cross the above river into North Herefordshire 

 territory — though he may find quite half a dozen miles 

 of fair playground within the border, and Belmont 

 gives him every opportunity of seeking a substitute, 

 or a fresh start, before he leaves the home country. 

 ^Twixt Aconbury, the Bryngwyn Woods, or Saddlebow 

 Hill, and the opposite hill-coverts of Thruxton 

 Valletts, &c., is a neat, closely fenced, valley, of 

 which — unfortunately — the London and North- 



