1S00.] OF HAMPSHIRE. 21 



"He also patronised Overton some months 

 in the year, and from thence the Crux Easton 

 district. 



" His twenty -four good runs from Freefolk 

 Wood are not yet forgotten. It happened 

 that, between the time of Mr. Poyntz and the 

 latter gentleman, there was a general carnage 

 of the vermin, and only a few old cunning 

 foxes remained. 



"Mr, Smith, the father of the present gen- 

 tleman, always kept a strong pack of harriers 

 at Tedworth, and, I believe, latterly they were 

 all small, high-bred fox-hounds, and generally 

 hunted foxes. I am sorry I cannot supply 

 you with dates, but if there is any other in- 

 formation you wish for that is in my power to 

 give you, I shall be happy to do so. 



" Yours truly, 



" S. T." 



The above letter appeared also in Cecil's 

 " Records of the Chase," p. 289 ; and he has 

 added some amusing comments thereon. 



Hampshire might almost be called 1772. 

 the birthplace of cricket, as for many SSf * 

 years it could not only beat any other Wedon ciub. 

 county, but was generally successful even 

 against All England. The Hambledon Club, 



