Hon. Mark Rollers. 301 



Torrington side — through whicli the same river 

 Torridge runs, but amid hills and woods of a very 

 pronounced type. "Brakes'^ — i.e., natural gorses — 

 from the staple coverts of the open country ; and a 

 fox found here will often travel long distances to reach 

 either the coombes and cliffs of the coast or the 

 strong woodlands inland. All Mr. R,olle^s country is 

 decidedly good scenting ground — unless, it should be 

 added, the season happens to be a very wet and cold 

 one. A few small patches of moor, or common, are 

 scattered over his territory ; but they are both scarce 

 and small as compared with the share possessed by 

 other Hunts adjoining. Plenty of foxes, also, there 

 are throughout his country — few Hunts owning a 

 greater number of zealous preservers. 



Stanford's map goes to show various railways 

 cutting across the country under notice; but it is 

 satisfactory to note that many of these ominous, red- 

 dotted lines are at least premature. For instance, 

 there is no railway at present between Hatherley and 

 Holsworthy, nor again between Hatberley and Tor- 

 rington. The Torrington neighbourhood contains 

 most of the big woods alluded to, such as Monkleigh 

 Wood, Pencleave, Potheridge (where remains a fine 

 old farmhouse, still pointed out as the birthplace of 

 General Monk) with various others down the lower 

 banks of the Torridge. All the country north and 

 south of Torrington continues very hilly and thickly 

 wooded; but towards Barnstaple it again improves, 

 and is a little more rideable. 



The pack has for twenty-four seasons been kept at 

 Stevenstone, the residence of the master, and where he 



