222 HUNTING TOURS. 



places there are bogs intervening, the riding 

 is a service of some peril. Mr. Childe, of 

 olden times, according to tradition, v^^as wont 

 to ride down these places with a loose rein 

 at great speed, declaring it to be the safest 

 plan, a practice upon which, however, I must 

 be permitted to express some scepticism. A 

 hitterly cold day it was when I was there, 

 snow storms adding to the character, if not 

 the comfort of the occasion, and the bleak 

 exposure on the hill was most delightfully 

 contrasted by the agreeable temperature of 

 the interior of Bitterley Hall, where a sub- 

 stantial and most acceptable luncheon was 

 prepared after the fatigues of the chase were 

 over, to cheer the sportsman and fortify him 

 on his weary journey home. 



Wenlock Edge presents another singular 

 feature in this hunt. It is a narrow chain of 

 covert, with only occasional trifling intervals, 

 extending a distance of eighteen miles. This 

 is another stronghold and very favourite resort 

 of foxes, and when they can be induced to 

 face the vale below, called Corfe Dale, which 

 consists principally of grass, with several 

 brooks and very strong fences — a much finer 

 country need not be desired. Parts of Wen- 



