HUNTING TOURS. 1 1 7 



four. If, therefore, we allow a quarter of an 

 hour occupied in getting him out of the 

 drain, this gallant protege of Mr. George 

 Fletcher's stood before the pack four hours 

 and a half. Had it not been for the unfor- 

 tunate circumstance of the sheep-dog coursing 

 the fox, or had the pack not divided, with 

 the assistance of their huntsman there is no 

 doubt they would have finished him off 

 sooner. All were highly pleased with the 

 day's sport, if, perhaps, we except a few who 

 followed the division to the woods ; and Mr. 

 Walker's bread and cheese and ale, which 

 were liberally proffered, became very accept- 

 able. It was a severe day for hounds, quite 

 sufficient to test their condition, and they all 

 came home with their sterns over their backs. 

 The land rode exceedingly heavy, and some 

 places, naturally sound, almost approached 

 to the character of bogs. 



The expense of hunting this country, as it 

 is done by Mr. Colmore, must be consider- 

 able, for no limit is observed in matters con- 

 nected with the main object, that of ofTording 

 sport. Indeed, the charges attendant on the 

 preservation of foxes in the items of fees to 

 keepers, earth stopping, and dinners, are very 



