The Sinnington, 823 



maintain the powers of the old. A great deal of it 

 too, is laid down in grass ; the plough is seldom, if 

 ever, very deep ; and as a scenting country the Sin- 

 nington may fairly lay claim to being " better than 

 most.''^ 



The Sinnington Yale— or the vale of the Eye- 

 extends from the bank of the little river Costa near 

 Pickering (where it joins Capt. Johnstone's territory) 

 to about Oswaldkirk and Helmsley on the west. 

 Beyond these the scene changes to the Hambleton 

 Hills, which overlook the town of Thirsk and the 

 Vale of York. The maps referred to are not very 

 precise as to the boundaries of the Sinnington country 

 hereabouts. But it will be sufficient to note that the 

 Hunt claim Kilburn and Hood Hill as within their 

 margin in this direction; and that Sir George 

 Womb well's fine coverts at Newburgh Park are, with 

 the consent of Lord Middleton, allowed to be drawn by 

 them. Above Helmsley are numerous great overhang- 

 ing coverts up the course of the Eye, past Duncombe 

 Park and Eievaulx Abbey ; and similar strong woods 

 run up the sides of Eiccal Dale, Sleightolm-Dale (the 

 bed of the river Hodge), and the Dale of the 

 Seven, &c. 



Tuesday and Saturday being the days of hunting, 

 the former is for the low ground, the latter for the 

 upper country. On a Tuesday they draw little else 

 but whins and small plantations, except the Xewburgh 

 Park coverts, from which they have had several capital 

 runs in recent seasons. Towards Pickering they meet 

 at Normanby to draw Normanby Whin. Below this is 

 Habton Whin— for which they would probably meet 



VOL. II. nr 



