OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 91 



doubt it would be gratifying to sportsmen and 

 masters of hounds to see them work on this drag, 

 if it could be done without a great destruction 

 of vixen foxes. But if you should happen to get 

 upon the drag of a wet vixen, or one heavy in 

 cub, what chance can she possibly have in 

 that state ? The New Forest is a peculiar sort 

 of hunting ; sportsmen that arc accustomed to 

 it prefer it to any other. In no country can you 

 see the work of hounds so well, although the 

 riding to them is thought nothing of. 



Leicestershire-men are often at a loss here, 

 as much as Foresters would be in that great 

 country. I have frequently seen in the Forest 

 brilliant and gratifjnng things to a sportsman, in 

 which hounds that were perfect at their work 

 had an opportunity of showing themselves to the 

 greatest possible advantage. Formerly, when the 

 New Forest was hunted by the late ]\Ir. Gilbert, 

 there certainly were no inclosures. To those who 

 have never visited the New Forest, it may be 

 here necessary to explain these inclosures. His 

 Majesty's Government thought proper to fence 

 in a certain number of acres, in different parts 

 of the forest, which they considered the most 

 eligible for planting, as nurseries for the growth 

 of young timber, which Avere called " The New 

 Inclosures ; " but I am informed they are no 



