The Wheatland, 329 



border into Ludlow territory) the credit of showing 

 the Wheatland Hunt their best sport. South of it, 

 and dating from its slope in this direction, the streams 

 and dingles that cut up the lower half of the country, 

 mostly take their origin. 



The kennels — unpretentious in appearance, but 

 healthy and well situated — are just above the little 

 village of Eardington, soDie two miles from Bridg- 

 north (on the Great Western Railway, five and a half 

 hours^ journey from London). About twenty-five 

 couple of excellent working hounds form the pack, 

 towards the breeding of which the blood of The 

 Cheshire and Shropshire Kennels has chiefly con- 

 tributed. The qualifications most needed in hounds 

 for a hilly strong-wooded country are unmistakably 

 marked in their free sloping shoulders, strong backs, 

 and sturdy frames. Well-pronounced and reliable 

 tongue is also a true essential here — and the manage- 

 ment pride themselves on never keeping a second- 

 rate hound as a mere ornamental addition to the 

 kennel. The direction of the Hunt aSairs has for the 

 last ten or eleven years been entirely in the hands of a 

 committee — though I believe I am right in saying that 

 they would gladly abrogate their functions in favour of 

 a resident and zealous master, such for instance as 

 their neighbours the Ludlow possess in Mr. C. 

 Wicksted. A country so sporting, well preserved, 

 and good-scenting — with a most suitable pack of 

 hounds ready to hand, and a fair subscription — should 

 hold out strong inducements to many a man really 

 fond of foxhunting, and not bound by insurmountable 

 ties to some other locality. 



