With the Warwickshire, 1 1 3 



lands are drawn. Those wlio know tlie excellent 

 country over which the hounds ran will appreciate 

 such a spin as this, the distance traversed, chiefly at 

 a racing pace, being something approaching to fif- 

 teen miles. At the close of the season those who are 

 fond of woodland hunting should make Wansford 

 their headquarters, whence they can go with both the 

 Pytchley and the Fitzwilliam, and they may make 

 certain of getting some fine runs from the extensive 

 covers which are common to both packs. When 

 they draw Bulwick, and on towards Dene, it is 

 almost a certainty that there will be good sport. 

 Some of the best runs I ever saw during my whole 

 career were from these big woods, the foxes being 

 clinkers, who did not fear the open, but went away 

 straight, and those who hesitated to follow were 

 soon lost to sight. I have a distinct recollection on 

 one occasion of taking two big fences in and out of 

 the Stamford Road on a tired horse, the fox being 

 dead beat, and, coming upon a stiff flight of rails 

 with a brook on the further side, my nag, making a 

 last effort, gathering himself well together, and going 

 with a rush, cleared the lot, and stood stock still, 

 being thoroughly pumped out. On visiting the lo- 

 cality shortly after, I went to take a look at the place, 

 and was astonished to find how big a jump this plucky 

 animal carried me over, after an hour and a quarter's 

 run across a grand line of countr}^ without a single 

 check, the pace being severe from end to end. 



On the Friday the Pytchley met at Holdenby, in 

 which vicinity " Whyte-Melville '' has laid the scene 

 of one of his most charming novels, ' Holmby House.' 

 Although the weather was bitterly cold. Lady Spencer, 



8 



