378 The Hunting Countries of England. 



New Forest Hunt until recent years included in their 

 country mucli of this district, up to Cranborne. 



Between Cranborne and Handley is some nice open 

 and undulating down — with much of the old short 

 turf still left. And many good gallops come off here. 

 The down extends also as far as Tarrant Keynston, 

 within two or three miles of the Kennels. Harley is 

 looked upon as the best down covert ; and is a 

 constant source of sport. It consists of a good gorse, 

 well protected on two sides by a strip of sheltering 

 plantation. 



Lord Portman^s usual hunting days are Monday, 

 Wednesday or Friday. Monday is as a rule a hill day. 

 The other two are liable to change in any direction, so 

 as best to fit in with the convenience of neighbouring 

 Hunts and the requirements of the home country. 

 The hounds are not only fashionably bred ; but are 

 extremely active and very taking in appearance. Lord 

 Portman originally began with a lower standard of 

 height than that generally accepted ; as in taking the 

 young draft from good kennels he got many clever 

 hounds rather below the fashionable height. It is 

 certain that a moderate-sized and compact hound, and 

 one not too heavy, is most suitable to so varied a 

 country. It often happens that hounds after working 

 half the day in the vale have to finish with an afternoon 

 on the hills ; and thus have two most opposite kinds of 

 ground to travel over. The Grove, Brocklesby, Belvoir, 

 and Wynnstay Kennels, as well as those of Lord Pol- 

 timore and Lord Portsmouth, have all helped to make 

 the pack ; and more recently the Oakley and the Fitz- 

 william have rendered some service. 



