230 SPORTING REMINISCENCES [1825 to 



me as a country in which a man's abilities as a 

 huntsman have a fair scope for exertion; so 

 much covert-hunting is very uninteresting at 

 the best of times, and these large woodlands 

 are overstocked with foxes. I was never out 

 with either these hounds or Mr. Assheton 

 Smith's without two or three brace being 

 found in the course of the day, and on some 

 occasions almost as many on foot at once. As 

 Foster encourages people to halloo, much con- 

 fusion is created, but as the fields are small, 

 some such assistance is unquestionably re- 

 quired. Fifty or sixty horsemen is considered 

 a lar^e muster, and on several occasions when 

 I was out there were not above twenty. The 

 veteran is anxious to get some of them to ride 

 forward in order to view his fox and halloo his 

 hounds on, which appears very requisite in 

 such a country, although I know some masters 

 of hounds who would be nearly mad' if any 

 one were to offer to do so, alleging that they 

 would be sure to head the fox ; but I believe, 

 after all, if a fox means to break covert, he is 

 not to be deterred. I observe Foster is very 

 cautious how he attempts to hunt up to a fox 

 that has got what he considers too good a start, 

 and he is right. 



" There is one advantage which an open 



