The Cotswold. 277 



woods as those of Witliington and Chedwortli in the 

 centre of the country, and such rough and extended 

 fastnesses as the Cranham woodlands in the south, 

 take a great deal of hunting ; and the difficulties of 

 sticking to one fox, and getting away at him with an 

 united pack, tax a huntsman^s powers to the utmost. 

 With foxes on foot in every direction, it is only a free 

 use of the horn that allows hounds — still more the 

 field — to keep to the line of chase. But a Cotswold 

 fox, once bustled into the open, will go right afield, 

 and is not to be handled easily. It is only fair to note 

 that during the past season (^81-^82) the Cotswold 

 have had a succession of long and fine runs — due, no 

 doubt, in some degree to the uninterrupted open 

 weather, which allowed the strong coverts to be 

 constantly worked. 



Cheltenham is not a place that relies for its attrac- 

 tions entirely on what it can ofi'er to the hunting-man. 

 Its social advantages are very widely known j and the 

 education of the young idea is a staple and profitable 

 trade of the town. In truth, the man of huntino- 

 instincts is more likely to find himself in Cheltenham 

 for the sake of an Indian liver, or to put his boys to 

 school, than because he seeks a hunting-quarter of the 

 highest possible class. Yet, having arrived at Chel- 

 tenham, he will find sport ready to hand, and a wide 

 choice of hounds and country at a little distance. On 

 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays he may have 

 the home pack : on a Tuesday Lord Fitzhardinge may 

 often come almost up to his door, or the Vale of White 

 Horse are to be reached : on a Thursday he may go 

 with the North Cotswold: and on a Friday he may 



VOL. II. u 



