304 The Hunting Countries of England. 



gigantic), they are not large or cumbersome ; but they 

 often follow each other so closely along the hillsides 

 that a fox is naturally inclined to slip from one to the 

 other, rather than go out of his way for a broad open 

 course. But, with a full supply of good coverts, and 

 a small and well-disposed field, Master-and-huntsman 

 has every chance given him ; and is freed from half 

 the anxieties which would beset him in a difficult and 

 crowded country. 



Mr. Rushout succeeded Lord Coventry, on the 

 occasion of the latter moving homewards to create 

 the Croome country. Lord Coventry of course took 

 his pack with him ; and Mr. Rushout had to form a 

 new one. This he did with material obtained from 

 Lord Fitzhardinge^s kennel, with the addition of a 

 draft spared him by his predecessor. Upon this 

 foundation he has built up an exceptionally neat 

 pack, at the present moment numbering about twenty- 

 nine couple. Lord Coventry, it should be mentioned, 

 took the country in 1866 (when a committee started it 

 with a separate existence) ; and follow^ed Mr. Colmore, 

 who in turn had taken over the Cotswold after Earl 

 Fitzhardinge. 



It will easily be understood that a more than 

 ordinarily good type of horse is required for the 

 North Cotswold country and its environs. Most 

 horses can be taught to jump stone walls ; but no 

 horse can climb a steep hill quickly and gallop on 

 afterwards, or can cross a deep and stiffly-fenced vale, 

 unless he is built for it. A strong-backed well-bred 

 hunter, on short legs, is the sort most in request — and, 

 it must be added, most usually attained by the men 



