HUNTING TOURS. 351 



competency. He is a superior horsemarij 

 and being* well mounted is always in a 

 good place, whether in the rough wood- 

 lands of the centre, the strong, deep, and 

 distressing varieties of the western, or over 

 the fine flying pastures of the Dunchurch side. 

 He is well assisted by George Boxall, who 

 came from the North Staffordshire, where 

 under the skilful guidance of Joe Maiden he 

 could not fail to attain much practical know- 

 ledge. John Ransom is the under whipper-in, 

 and enters very satisfactorily. Since the frost 

 these hounds have been hunting four days 

 in the week — Mr. Baker being anxious to 

 compensate for the lost time of that long 

 interregnum. 



The North Warwickshire country, in former 

 days, comprised a portion of the Warwick- 

 shire—in other words, the whole country was, 

 in the time of Mr. Corbet, occupied by him. 

 Enthusiastic sportsmen of old were wont to 

 tell with glee of the gallant deeds of hounds, 

 and the desperate runs they had with them. 

 The capabilities of the country, therefore, 

 are of ancient date, though it is much to 

 be doubted if the sport was equal to what 

 is now seen. On that gentleman's retirement 



