40 i885- 



Ferne}^ Down, and so through Alweston ; but 

 after that no more could be done with him, 

 and he carried off his brush as a New Year's 

 Gift — after tantalising us for over two hours. 



January 3rd. — 



A large field assembled at Five Bridges. 

 Mr. Digby Collins was out, having arrived at 

 Henstridge Ash the day before on a flying visit 

 to the Vale ; and, being a border meet, a good 

 many of those who generally hunt with the 

 Bast Dorset and South Wilts were present also. 

 We found our first fox in Fifehead Cover, but 

 did not leave him there ; nor did he go away 

 alive. The next, from the lower cover, took us 

 up through the Avenue, and to the right, 

 swinging round by the front of the house, 

 crossing the river Stour, up through Stour 

 Provost, and on, sometimes rather fast and 

 pretty straight, to Hayes Copse, where, the 

 earths being open, he went to ground ; which 

 was disappointing, as he was viewed b}- the 

 Huntsman the other side of the cover, but he 

 turned short and sought refuge underground. 



