414 The Hunting Countries of England, 



the Graig are tlie two stupendous strongholds for 

 which the foxes of two-thirds of the country almost 

 invariably make. The former — the " Holy Mountain/' 

 the Fusiyama of Monmouthshire — is a stupendous hill, 

 with strong covert veiling a great part of its face. 

 Contemplating it from below, the stranger from the 

 plains will probably gasp in silent wonder when told 

 that this towering mass is one of the chief draws of 

 the Monmouthshire foxhounds, and that its wooded 

 and rocky sides are the source of many of their best 

 runs. Yet so it is — and it is extraordinary how 

 frequently, and even readily, they will force their 

 fox away from this awe-inspiring stronghold. From 

 Great Skyrrid to the Graig is some three or four miles 

 of nice riding — the Graig being another lofty and well- 

 wooded stronghold of greater extent than its rival. 

 More good open country lies at its feet to the south 

 and continues to Lanrouthall, beyond which and the 

 River Monnow you soon reach more hill and woodland 

 round Welch Newton. Skenfreth, close adjoining the 

 Graig, is rough ; and so is the Wyeside above and 

 below Monmouth. Little Skja-rid is considerable as a 

 hill, but nothing as a mountain. It has on it some 

 excellent covert, the property of the elder Mr. Hanbury 

 Williams (of Coldbrook Hall), the father of the Master j 

 and, besides always having foxes on it, is on the edge 

 of the best of the country. To the Blorenge and 

 Sugarloaf and other western hills hounds go chiefly in 

 the spring. The DeviPs Punchbowl — a deep and 

 darkly wooded hollow on the face of the first-named — 

 is a gruesome lookiug place; and the mountain rises 

 behind and beside it like a brown wall. But it holds 



