160 HUNTING TOURS. 



CHAPTER IX. 



HEREFORDSHIRE HOUNDS AND COUNTRY. 



The sportsman, as he passes from the ever- 

 celebrated and picturesque town of Ross to 

 the ancient city of Hereford, conveyed by 

 the mighty power of steam, cannot fail to be 

 impressed with the idea that it is a country 

 unusually favoured for foxhunting. Tra- 

 versing the beautiful vale through which the 

 river Wye takes its varied and enchanting 

 course, which the railway crosses, in the 

 short distance of twelve miles, no less than 

 four times, the spacious pasture lands, 

 bounded by extensive woodlands, are indica- 

 tive of extraordinary capabilities, and, when 

 the foxes can be induced to encounter the 

 meadows, few countries can surpass it ; but 

 the vulpine family are highly gifted with 

 instinct, which teaches them how they can 

 best regard their own safety ; thus, they do 

 not commonly cross these grassy plains, se- 



