200 CObRSJNG 



The venue is on the main line of the North-Eastern Railway 

 from Newcastle to Edinburgh, and a morning train from the 

 first-named place (about twenty miles) brings visitors to Long- 

 hirst exactly at the right time. Those who come from a dis- 

 tance with greyhounds can stay at Morpeth, five miles away, 

 or at the little watering-place of Newbiggin-on-the-Sea, four 

 miles off, on the eastern side of the ground. 



The North Seaton estate, which adjoins Bothal on the east 

 side, has also been a favourite Northumbrian coursing-ground 

 for a long period. Since Mr. I. Lowthian Bell went to reside 

 at North Seaton Hall, some half-dozen years ago, the revival, 

 which I mentioned in connection with Bothal just now, has 

 extended to the sister estate, and for the last two or three 

 seasons the meetings have been joint affairs, under the auspices 

 of the North of England Club, the coursing taking place 

 one day on North Seaton and the other day on the Bothal 

 estate. Mr. Bell has been most generous in his numerous 

 presentations of tenants' prizes, and no Northern courser 

 has worked harder in the interests of the sport, or has had 

 more difficulties to contend with, he having essayed with 

 success the task of getting back a head of game where, 

 owing to the Ground Game Act, it had almost ceased to 

 exist. The North Seaton ground is very similar to that of 

 Bothal, and between the line of railway and the village 

 first-rate coursing is always obtained, the big pastures round 

 the 'ten acre plantation' being particularly good. Nearer 

 the sea a high ridge and furrow, even on the grass, slightly 

 spoils the view, and causes occasional flukes, but on the whole 

 the place ranks high among coursing fields. The hares are 

 always strong and never affected by wet as in some parts of 

 Lancashire. 



CLIFFE AND HUNDRED OF HOO CLUB 



Of late years the Cliffe and Hundred of Hoo Association 

 for the Preservation of Hares and Wildfowl, to give it its 

 proper title, has become a very important factor in south- 



