HUNTING THE FOX 87 



system of unkennelling the Fox at a gentlemanly- 

 hour in the morning, and bursting him by the 

 speed and condition of the Hound, was successfully 

 launched. The best evidence of the new pace is 

 afforded by the celebrated match at Newmarket, 

 which took place in 1762. A match was made 

 between Mr. Meynell and Mr. Barry, each to run 

 a couple of his Hounds a drag, from the rubbing- 

 house at Newmarket town-end to the rubbing- 

 house at the starting-post Beacon-course, a distance 

 of four and a half miles, for five hundred guineas. 

 After the match was made, the famous Will 

 Crane was invited to train Mr. Barry's couple of 

 Hounds, of which Bluecap was four and Wanton 

 three years old. Crane at first objected to their 

 being Hounds that had been entered, and wished 

 for young Hounds, who might probably be taught 

 with more certainty to run a drag ; his motion, 

 however, was set aside, and the Hounds were sent 

 to Rivenhall, in Essex. As Crane had foretold, at 

 the first trials to induce them to run the drag they 

 took no notice ; but at length, by dragging a Fox 

 along the ground, and then crossing the Hounds 

 upon the scent, and taking care to let them kill 

 him, they became more handy to a drag, and had 

 their exercise regularly three times a week upon 

 Tip-tree Heath ; the ground chosen was turf, and 

 the distance over which it was taken was from 

 eight to ten miles. The dogs were in training 



