1873-74.] GAY NOVEMBER. Ill 



welcome than when it came to climbing Biirrough Hill a 

 second time. 



GAY NOVEMBER. 



November 14, — At this time of the j-ear there are many 

 warm little nooks much patronised by the blessed varmint, 

 especially those Avhose early cubhood has been passed " in the 

 open," as distinct from those reared in the large coverts. 

 Finding themselves routed out of these places, and the sur- 

 rounding country well scoured, foxes will take refuge in the 

 orthodox fastnesses, there to be called upon at pleasure. But 

 if left till the brambles have lost their leaves, and the cold 

 blasts of Christmas sweep from end to end of the small copses, 

 they probably betake themselves to the nearest hedgerow that 

 will offer shelter — of no good in their generation or that of 

 their progeny, but making their race hateful by their farmj-ard 

 depredations, and often even marring sport by jumping up 

 while a run is proceeding. Indeed, outlying foxes are worse 

 than useless : they are actively harmful to the cause of fox- 

 hunting, and deserve little grace when a chance occurs of 

 stopping their iniquities. A farmer who has seen many 

 changes in the Quorn Hunt, and whose memory dates back 

 beyond the arrival of the oldest of existing Meltonians, was re- 

 counting but a few days ago how, in Sir Harry Goodricke's 

 time, Will Derry ran such a fox "unmerciful hard,^' till he 

 took refuge, *' the big coward," in a hen-roost, which he had 

 doubtless often visited on a different errand. " Pull him 

 out ! " says Sir Harry. " Let 'em worry him ! Such a one as 

 him's no good to nobody." 



On Saturday (November 15), Burton Overy drew together 

 all who could reach it. We may pass over the first run (from 

 Glenn Gorse) altogether ; for lack of scent, plenitude of hares, 

 and a general overboiling of ardom' prevented its being worthy 

 of the good country travelled over. Suffice to say that when 



