io8 The Old Surrey Fox Hounds 



Mastership the sport has shown an improvement ; the 

 number of foxes annually handled has been considerably- 

 above the average of late years. 



Unfortunately, however, foxes are not so plentiful at 

 present in certain districts of the Surrey territory as they 

 used to be, for the shooting interest is acquiring predom- 

 inance, with the unsatisfactory result indicated. Some 

 large coverts are repeatedly drawn blank. 



Yet, despite that fact, the Hunt continues to be well 

 supported, and its members show no lack of enthusiasm. 

 They treat difficulties lightly, with the true sporting 

 spirit. They deserve all the good runs they get and 

 more for their patience and unswerving devotion. They 

 make the most of their gallops. 



In the northern parts of the Old Surrey country bricks 

 and mortar and wire render hunting practically impossible. 

 One may anticipate an extension of that development ; 

 it seems to be inevitable. Even so, these hounds are not 

 actually cramped for want of country : if foxes were 

 better preserved, results would be infinitely brighter. 



The present average number of the field is quite equal 

 to, if not above, that of former years. Many of the 

 ancient supporters remain staunch in their allegiance to 

 the Old Surrey ; they still hunt with these hounds, and 

 have obviously lost no part of their early dash. There is 

 also an adequacy of new blood. The sporting instinct 

 is not easily daunted by a few topographical discomforts. 



So as to give an account of a typical modern run with 

 the Old Surrey, and to bring our records up to date, we 



