144 HUNTING IN MANY COUNTRIES. 



while the greyhounds had to jump. Once through the smeus© 

 the hare would frequently turn sharp along the wall and the 

 greyhounds would be unsighted and easily picked up. There 

 used to be a dinner at Great Ryall after the sport was over — 

 which dinner we had brought with us in the morning — and at 

 this several of the neighbouring farmers and the schoolmaster 

 from Ingoe were always among the guests; but the profes- 

 sional coursers had departed for the railway at Corbridge. 

 The schoolmaster, whose name was Ord, was an original, a 

 local poet, and about as sharp a hand at repartee as I ever 

 met. He would make an impromptu verse about any of the 

 company, and one of his efforts I have never forgotten. One 

 of our party was named " Willie," and " Ord, who always 

 very quickly made himself at home on these occasions, soon 

 started chipping Willie, and continued it through the dinner. 

 From the centre of the room hung an old candelabra, into 

 which half a dozen candles were stuck. When dinner was 

 over Willie produced a cigar, and, standing up, tried to reach 

 one of the candles iu order to get a light. He made two or 

 three shots at the candle, and finally brought it down on the 

 table, whilst Ord in his blandest tones kept repeating : 

 " Little Willie, Little Willie, 



Make an effort, use some force; 

 Now you've got it, now you've missed it 

 (and as the candle was brought down). 



Now you've lost the final course." 

 In the northern part of thei Tynedale Monday- 

 country, it may be mentioned that about every other 

 week the Monday meets are held in the extreme north of 

 the hunt, the most frequent fixtures being Capheaton, Kirk- 

 harle, and Kirkwhelpington, of which the last named is the 

 furthest north. Kirkheaton, north of the Moot Law, and 

 Bavin^on, a mile and a half north-west of Kirkheaton, do 

 not seem to be much utilised as meets in these days; but 

 there are coverts at either place, and as far as my experience 

 goes these are most frequently drawn after hounds have met 

 at Hallington. Of the country round Kirkharle and Kirk- 

 whelpington I do not know enough to write with any con- 

 fidence. I have been there odd times, and have recollection 

 of a fine hunt from Merryshields many years ago; but this- 



