56 The Old Surrey Fox Hounds 



and repeatedly blooded the pack in good style. These 

 frequently boast of large fields, to which the £ Cross,' the 

 c Lane,' and the c Acre ' contribute a snug and friendly 

 little party. c Lotions,' c potions,' and ' patent coffins ' 

 may not infrequently be seen at the death." 



It is also mentioned by the same reporter that many of 

 the gallops were " extremely brilliant." 



The curious allusions above quoted are obviously 

 intended to be of a facetious nature, and are designed to 

 indicate that some of the supporters of the Hunt were 

 well known in connexion with mercantile pursuits. We 

 may let that pass for what it is worth — probably not 

 much. At any rate, in the same magazine of 23 March, 

 1 801, we come across a more valuable account of the Old 

 Surrey, and the subjoined excerpt may be given as an 

 interesting example of the sort of sport enjoyed in the 

 good old times : — 



"Surrey Sporting. — On Monday, 23rd inst., Mr. 

 Snow's Surrey Fox-hounds had a very fine chase. They 

 cast off at Ockley Wood, when they quickly found two 

 foxes, one of which took directly up the Merstham Hills 

 to Ninwood, near Coulsdon. The other ran along the 

 Valley, over Tupwood Common, and down to Godstone, 

 where he was killed, close to the kennels of his enemies, 

 after a fine run. They then went in search of part of the 

 pack at Ninwood, where, having joined, the fox was driven 

 back against the wind down into the valley, and, being 

 very hard run, got into a stone quarry below Bletchingley, 

 from which the terriers were not able to draw him. It was 



