SOME YORKSHIRE AND WESTERN MIDLAND HUNTS. 193 



is very considerable, and when hounds meet near a town, 

 or a large village, the number is greatly increased. Per- 

 sonally, I know of individuals who walk long distances to 

 far-away meets, and follow hounds as best they can through- 

 out the day, and when hunting near a mining population I 

 have seen the hilltops literally black with people during the 

 early part of the day. The Pytchley, when near Northamp- 

 ton, always attracts a crowd, as does the Atherstone when 

 meeting neat Nuneaton. The fact is, that in scores of country 

 districts foxhunting on foot is an exceedingly popular form 

 of relaxation, and by no means confined to the sterner sex, 

 for — especially since the short skirt came in — many ladies ala> 

 folloAV hounds on foot. I am writing of prei-war dayg, but 

 even since the war certain people in the country take their 

 relaxatioin when following hound si on foot, and hospital nursee, 

 and war workers of many varieties, were seien at the coveirt- 

 side during the four years of hostilities. Of regular foot fol- 

 lowers!, the greatesti dearth I have ever known was in Essex 

 some twenty years agoi. One might, notice a few people on foot 

 at a meet, but I do not remember any regular followers, 

 and I have seen fox, hounds, and field pass farm labourers 

 at work without causing them even to turn their heads. The 

 Malvern hills are a grand vantage ground for the pedestrian 

 foxhunter; but if there is a scent, the. North Ledbuiy, so 

 I understand, are not in the least disturbed by holloas, and 

 do not leave the fox they are running. I was almost omitting 

 to mention that Mr. Twinberrow has " spotted " the place 

 where the rat hunt (de^scribed a pag'e or twoi back) took place, 

 but it is hardly worth while to give the name ol the farm. 



Another letter, from Mr. W. Pitt, of the White House, 

 Canon Frome, refers to the great run with the Ledbury 

 which I have mentioned. Mr. Pitt writes that he 

 remembeirs that run as though it were yeisiterday, and has 

 often told the story of it. He begins that " he was only 

 a young chap riding a rough cob, and did not push on much, 

 therefore would not have been noticed." He then says that 

 hounds found at Paunceford, a 20-acre covert, near the Great 

 Western Railway, and about two miles from the kennels. In 

 my account I said that I was unable to determine where the 

 hunt began, that I thought it was either as Bosbury Wood 



o 



