^ty^ In perusing the Hnnting Journal of the Blackmoor Vale Fox 

 Hounds, it must not be forgotten, — first, that a very considerable 

 part of the Countiy wliich their Proprietor established in the Spring 



of 182C, HAD NOT BEEN UUNTED AT ALL FOR NEARLY THIRTY 



YEARS; — that the Foxes had been systematically destroyed, and 

 even that their Haunts and Earths were known to few, if to any 

 persons, except to those who dealt in their destruction. — Secondly, 

 that this small extent of Country had never been hunted before by 

 any Gentleman as an Entire Country.— Thirdly, that at its ex- 

 treme north-eastern Wiltshire extremity the Covers are of enormous 

 extent, and so full of Earths as to baffle the vii;ilance of the most 

 careful and active stopper. — Fourthly, that a large portion of the 

 Country lying between Yeovil and Compton Castle, is nearly desti- 

 tute of Cover of any description capable of holding a Fox during the 

 winter months, consisting almost entirely of sandy arable land, 

 intersected by roads, and notorious as bad-scenting ground.^ — ^And 

 lastly, that a system of annoyance bordering on persecution, in 

 THE County of Dorset, was not wanting to superadd difficulties 

 to the wliole of no ordinary kind, such indeed as must be continually 

 kept in view by the Courteous Reader of the following pages. 



