South-ancl-West Wilts. 3G0 



it is difficult to give him sufficient time to get on his 

 legs before hounds are upon him ; for, as we have all 

 seen, they will often pull down a fresh found fox in a 

 field of turnips or rough plough, in the first hundred 

 yards. And in this way many a fox falls a victim on 

 the downs. 



Thus it will have been gathered that the three main 

 component parts of the South and West Wilts country 

 are (taking them in inverse order and degree) down, 

 woodland, and vale. The down preponderates, and 

 stands any amount of work to at least Dec. 1st. 

 The woodland is always a stand-by ; and allows of 

 hunting being carried on late into April. For instance, 

 the two immense coverts of Great Eidge and Groveley 

 are especially useful for spring hunting — the former 

 belonging to Mr. Morrison, and the latter, which 

 extends as a continuous wood for four or five miles, 

 part to Lord Pembroke and part to Mr. Wyndham of 

 Dinton whose father and uncle kept the South Wilts 

 hounds for j^ears. The vale comes in as the down goes 

 out — the frost that destroys the turnip leaf making the 

 fences of the low ground more visible and feasible. In 

 the same way the woods improve as the downs lose 

 their virtue — the fallen leaves perishing under the cold 

 and wet. 



For such distinct varieties of country a horse would 

 have to possess exceptional and manifold merit, were 

 he expected to shine to like advantage in all. The 

 downs call for speed and blood; the woods for 

 endurance ; and the vale for boldness and jumping 

 power. So it is generally found advisable to effect a 

 compromise by riding a light well-bred horse on the 



