152 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



touched sixty shillings, whilst barley fit for the 

 maltsters made forty-eight. Consequently, there 

 was a falling off in the following amongst those 

 whose income came from land, and their strength 

 is always regarded as representative of the vitality 

 of sport. 



Open weather favoured the schooling of the 

 young entry, who started work on August 22nd, 

 accounting for fifty-two cubs in forty-two mornings. 

 The Duke followed the sport one morning on 

 wheels and saw a pretty finish, which pleased him 

 very much. Two hounds, Fencer and Trojan, 

 dashed out from the pack, and the latter killed 

 his fox single-handed ; he was a fast resolute 

 hound, and accomplished this feat several times 

 during his career. Fencer was an elegant hound, 

 much admired by the late Mr. Harvey Baily when 

 master of the Rufford, and he always expressed a 

 wish to possess him should he ever be disposed of 

 in the draft. 



This was undoubtedly a great fox year, and 

 we find a note made of thirteen foxes viewed 

 away from a small four -acre blackthorn covert, 

 known as Folkingham Little Gorse, which 

 greatly pleased the owner, the Rev. Thomas 

 Heathcote of Lenton, who was a regular follower 

 of the hounds with five of his family. A tribute 

 must be paid to the memory of two brilliant per- 

 formers which carried the ladies — Blue Stockings, 

 the favourite mount of Miss Lucy Heathcote for 

 many seasons, and a better, bolder fencer never 

 looked through a bridle, though she was a three- 



