1885. 129 



November 2nd, 1885. — 



The opening meet of the Blackmore Vale 

 Hounds was at the Kennels, Charlton Horethorne. 

 The morning was not bright, and by eleven 

 o'clock a steady rain was falling. A fair number, 

 however, assembled to do honour to the day, and 

 to partake of the refreshments spread out in the 

 Huntsman's house ; after which a move was made 

 to the yard, and horses were mounted. The 

 Master, who, with Lady Theodora Guest, had 

 arrived early, gave plenty of time, but when all 

 seemed satisfied he made a start, and the hounds 

 came out in the charge of the new huntsman, E. 

 Haynes, and the two new whips, B. Teece and 

 Charles Fox, Charlton Gorse was drawn blank, 

 and some more small covers near ; indeed, we 

 did not find till we got to Wheatsheaf Gorse, 

 where a brace were on foot, and one of them 

 soon surrendered his life and brush. After this 

 another was found in Holway, and he led us, 

 with little or no scent, to Hack Hill, towards 

 Sherborne Butts, and eventually back to 

 Holway, where he was lost. The day, though 

 not cold, was wet, and scent thoroughly bad ; 



K 



