SPORT AT DODDINGTON. 191 



and leaving the Hall on. the left and Kent's Rough on the right, hounds hunted 

 slowly over the hillclose up to the Shavington Park wall, where scent failed and 

 he was given up. Time, one hour and twenty minutes ; the first fifty minutes 

 without a check to Adderley, and over a fine line of country. Hounds richly 

 deserved blood, and would no doubt have accounted for their Betton fox, but 

 Dickins believes wo got on to a fresh fox from Bellaport Wood. It \vas now 

 nearly three o'clock, and every one crying " Content," home was the order. 



Double Sxaffle. 



In the month of September, 1892, Lord Stafford suc- 

 ceeded to the Dukedom on the death of his father, the 

 third Duke of Sutherland, who had been throughout a 

 most liberal supporter of the Hunt. The season of 

 1892-93 was not above a fair average, buL ended early, 

 the spring being exceptionally hot and dry ; and, moreover, 

 there was the usual frost in December and January, hunt- 

 ing being stopped altogether for twenty-two days during 

 the two months. 



From Dickins's diary : 



"November 7th, 1892. Norton-in-Hahs. — Found in the New Covert at 

 Betton. Ran fast to Tunstall and on to Oakley, where hounds divided. One 

 lot ran,' on by the brook-side past Norton-in-Hales and Bearstone to Willough- 

 bridge, and killed ; the other part ran a wide ring and killed their fox on Napeley 

 Heath. Found another in Canridden, and ran to Bellaport Hall. 



^^ November llth, 1892. Seighford. — Found a good fox in the covert near 

 Mr. Eld's house, and ran by William's Wood and away to the Rule Covert in 

 the Albrighton country, and to ground in a drain. Found another in White 

 Hart Covert. Ran as if for Walton, and past Chebsey and Hilcote, on over by 

 the Heamies to the Pillsons to Swynnerton, and on to Tittensor Chase to ground. 

 A good day." 



The following report of two good days at Doddington 

 and at Dilhorn, on November 28th and 30th, is from the 

 Stciffonlshire Advertiser of December 3rd, 1892 : — 



THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE. 



When one reads of the great drawback to sport experienced by many packs 

 for the past fortnight, owing to dense fogs, it is satisfactory to record that these 

 hounds have not been once stopped in November, have had some really brilliant 

 runs, and more than average sport during the month. On Monday, November 

 28th, the meet was at Doddington, a favourite fixture, and the morning was all 

 that could be desired. The field, in addition to the regular attendance on a 

 Monday, included many Cheshire sportsmen and a large contingent of the sporting 

 farmers of the district. After partaking of Mr. Delves Broughton's kind hospi- 

 tality, a move was made for the Chapel Wood. A fox was speedily found, and 

 after a short dusting in covert the Master's horu told us that he was away across 



