THE SQUIRE OF ASWARBY 



even in such a favoured country as the Belvoir in its golden 

 age. 



Then we have a most spirited account of cub-hunting, for 

 the benefit of Sir Thomas Whichcote, whose house lay 

 somewhat wide for the early morning hunting. 



XVI 



"Belvoir Kennels, 



'' October 2>th, 1858. 

 "Honoured Sir,— 



" As I flatter myself you will be pleased to hear from 

 me, to know a little of our proceedings this cubbing season of 

 1858, I have much pleasure in sending you a short account 

 of our operations. This has indeed been a long summer, and 

 it seems years since we met in the field ; and yet, alas ! how 

 fast the time flies, and how fast the seasons pass away ! But 

 to hunting, the good old sport of our ancestors, which gives 

 us health to enjoy the pleasures of this world and helpeth 

 the seasons to pass joyfully away, without being forgetful 

 from whence those blessings flow. 



"We commenced our cubbing operations on the 19th of 

 August under most favourable auspices, finding a great show 

 of foxes in Woolsthorpe Clifif, and killing a brace after an 

 hour's good work. 



'^August 2.0th. — We went to Croxton Lings and Croxton 

 Park, where we found a good litter, and killed a cub after an 

 hour and five minutes' good work, 



" August 2T^rd. — We found a litter of cubs in Belvoir Planta- 

 tion, and killed a brace after an hour and a quarter hard 

 running. 



'■'August 24th. — We went to Barkstone Wood and found 

 cubs, and killed one after a tremendous hour and thirty-five 

 minutes. 



" P.S. — Sir John Trollope found one old fox in Osgodby 

 Coppice ; give him two or three rings round Irnham Park 

 Wood and then went away to the Moor Woods, where they 

 got into cubs, and killed one. Five times out, and five heads. 



207 



