DRAYCOT AND BETLEY RUNS. 37 



THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



It has been tritely remarked by a veteran sportsman, that fox-hunting was 

 one of the few pleasures worth living for. On Monday last (so says our sporting 

 correspondent) this saying was truly verified. The weather was splendid, the 

 meet numerous yet select, and the run a regular " clipper." 



The meet was at Draycot, and there were present the Earl of Shrewsbury, 

 Lord Bagot, Sir W. FitzHerbert, Ladies Gertrude and Adelaide Talbot, Miss 

 Adderley, some few of the Cheshire sportsmen, most of the neighbouring squires, 

 and a good sprinkling of the farmers of the district, showing that in their opmiou 

 a pack of foxhounds was amongst their best friends. Reynard was found in 

 Bromley Wood, and in his first attempt to break cover was headed. He then 

 tried round the wood, and in his second effort made good his point, getting away 

 \vith hounds at his brush through Fulford, Spot Gorse, Stallington, Hilderstone 

 to Moddershall Oaks, where he tried on the double, but the hounds never left 

 him a moment for reflection, and brought him again to the open at a killing 

 pace. Here most of the knowing ones, and two-thirds of the field, were left 

 behind, as nothing but the best generalship and a bit of luck could keep up. 

 Reynard ran a ring back to Hilderstone, then took his old line to Draycot through 

 the wood he started from, pointing for Cresswell, where he was run into dead 

 beat, after one horn* and twenty-five minutes without a check. The brush was 

 gallantly and deservedly given by the Master to Miss Adderley, who rode 

 throughout in her usual spirited style, the ground gone over being about fifteen 

 miles of a stiff" country, with lots of plough and very hilly. 



On Wednesday the meet was at Betley, and a splendid day's sport it proved 

 to those fortunate enough to be present. Reynard number one was found in the 

 New Gorse, when, after a fast forty minutes' run, he was killed in the open. 

 Then trotting off to Balterley Moss, Rej'nard number two was found at home, 

 and very little time was lost in making his acquaintance, when off he went 

 towards Doddington, followed by the pack and hunters at a rattling pace ; then, 

 turning to his left through Wrinehill and Checkley Woods, he tried the open for 

 the Woore country, but, finding himself pressed, he beat a retreat to Wrinehill 

 Woods, where his pursuers dusted him about, never leaving him for a moment. 

 Again he tried his point for Woore, but with no better success, and was run into 

 near Woore, after a severe chase of two hours and a half, men, horses, and 

 hounds all evidently having had enough of it. 



From the Staffordshire Advertiser, March 15th, 1862 : 



THREE DAYS WITH THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



Monday, \Oth. — Met at Black Brook. Drew Willoughbridge Wood, where 

 we soon found " the varmint," and after dusting him about a short time, he broke 

 cover with the hounds at his brush, affording the spectators a pretty " run in view," 

 made his point to the Forty Acres, thence over Ashley Heath through the 

 Bumtwoods for the Rudge, where he was headed by some ploughmen, then 

 turning to the right by Fair Oak for Charnes, near which he was run into. 

 Time, one hour ten minutes. 



Tuesday, Wth. — A "bye day." Found at Bromley Coppice, and ran a 

 perfect steeplechase for twenty minutes through Podmore village, picking him 

 up as he entered the New Gorse at Maer. Then trotted off to the hills, from which 



