230 THE GREATEST RUN 



there would be more straight-necked foxes 

 and good runs satisfactorily finished were 

 this the rule. As it is, there are generally 

 twice, or even three times, the number of 

 hounds I, 2, or 3 years, than of older ones.^ 



Since this day I have seen many a good 

 run, over every variety of country, and 

 each hunting morning that I ride out I 

 start hoping for such another ; but as the 

 seasons slip away and years roll on, the 

 hope grows fainter and fainter, and I begin 



1 On Thursday, 19th November 1776, the Duke of 

 Beaufort's hounds had an extraordinary day, from Lyde 

 Green head, Bristol, two rings in the Vale (15 miles), then 

 to the hills, first to Sir William Codrington's woods at 

 Doddington, then , to the Duke's wood at Didmarston, 

 Hanbury, Upton, Killcott, and killed between Killcott and 

 Forcester — found at 7.30 and killed at 4. AH the field 

 thrown out, and six couple out of seventeen in at the death. 

 They were found lying on their bellies, with Reynard in 

 their midst. " Estimated distance, 50 miles," and " the 

 largest fox seen in these parts." 



