1878—79.] FOX-IIUNTINa IN THE SXOW. 271 



vailing mode. But the distinguishing fashion was something 

 entirely novel as an article of hunting kit, though in future no 

 member of the B.H. Hunt will he considered to possess a 

 complete outfit without it. This was no more nor less than a 

 pair of thick felt snow-shoes, buckling down the leg and en- 

 veloping the whole of the butcher-boot. (N.B. Spurs will 

 not be worn on this parade. By order.) There can be no 

 doubt about the ajipropriateness of these highl}^ original gar- 

 ments for the work they are intended to serve. lUlnej not 

 only keep the feet delightfully Avarm ; but the}^ protect the 

 inner boot from snow, when the wearer descends for the con- 

 stantly recurring necessity for rail-breaking. For though, 

 again and again, you may assure yourself that a fence has 

 most likely no ditch on the take-ofi' side, and may cram over it 

 fast enough to attain a probability of clearing any ordinary 

 dug-out bej^ond the hedge, it requires a very full faith in the 

 generosity of Providence to allow of tilting best pace at a stout 

 oxer, with the ditch a wide problem in front. The Colonel 

 does it, and will no doubt do it again ; but the rest of us 

 don't, by any means. 



The sport of the day was a run of two liours and twenty 

 minutes, and held its Ava}'' much as follows. The death and 

 worry in Vowes' Gorse could be heard far and near in the 

 frosty air ; and the foxes of Keythorpe took warning at once. 

 So two at least had gone, when the farther plantations were 

 now draAvn. Holloas resounded from every hillside ; for the 

 AA'alking public Avere afoot and fully alive to the fun. The 

 sporting shepherd Avelcomed the change; the brickmakers, 

 frozen from their occupation in the neighbouring j'ard, made 

 high holiday ; and stablemen Avitli breeches of excruciating 

 tightness straddled stiffly round the covert side. After trying 

 in vain for a fox still left in his lair, there Avas no alternative 

 for the huntsman but to press forward on to the line of one 

 of the early fugitives. And thus they hunted sloAvly aAvay 

 towards Noseley and (the reader who knoAvs the Keythorpe 

 gullies, and the Avays of the Keythorpe foxes, Avill not be sur- 



