Fox-hunting 45 



year the farmers are keeping up its character, 

 for when, in their interests, it was proposed 

 to devote the funds usually expended upon 

 Harlow Steeplechases to a big champagne 

 luncheon, no less than three hundred of the 

 sturdy agriculturists rose up in revolt, and 

 appended their signatures to a request which 

 signified that, although champagne might be 

 good, sport was better ! and Harlow Steeple- 

 chases were duly held. I never saw so big 

 a gathering at a country race-meeting before. 

 During the past season foxes must have 

 had a comparatively good time in their im- 

 munity from hounds, though, amongst others, 

 Mr. Ashton, on four occasions, brought out 

 his pack for a day's hunting on the snow. 

 But in spite of the severity of the winter 

 — one that will be remembered as stopping 

 hunting for a longer period than any ex- 

 perienced since the "Crimean" year, 1857 — 

 cubs have been discovered in this country 

 — Essex — very early. One litter that came 

 under my notice, in especial, seems to be 

 worthy of remark. Ferreting a bank on 



