OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 43 



somewhat hilly, it renders it altogether inferior 

 to Essex ; but the gentlemen and farmers of both 

 countries tvere very civil and obliging, and that 

 contributes to make a country agreeable, if in 

 other respects it is not quite so good as a sports- 

 man could wish. 



During the time I hunted Esi^.ex, we had our 

 Dunmow meetings, which I assure you enlivened 

 us not a little ; and whilst I devoted myself 

 to that part of the country, which was usually 

 for a week or ten days each time, and perhaps 

 three or four times during the season, I made 

 that place head quarters for myself and hounds, 

 and was attended by many gentlemen of the 

 hunt ; the Hertfordshire hounds on those occa- 

 sions contrived to meet near to us on the alter- 

 nate days ; and the emvdation excited on the 

 part of each hunt which should shew the best 

 sport, made it the more interesting ; and the 

 dinner at old Maltster's (the Saracen's Head, 

 Dunmow,) who did all in his power to make us 

 comfortable, always went off cheerfully. Taking 

 into consideration the country altogether, it may 

 be ranked as a first rate ruralist. 



Artificial earths, I have been informed, if not 

 made in a dry situation, are often the cause of 

 foxes being mangy. I have some reason to at- 

 tribute it to another cause : I never knew a 



