Skip to main content

Full text of "The Bedale Hounds, 1832-1908"

See other formats 


KJf 


?%.S:i 


The  Bedale  Hounds. 
1832-1908. 

By 

FRANK    H.    REYNARD. 


Life  is  chiefly  froth  and  bubble ; 
Two  things  stand  Hke  stone : 
Kindness  in  another's  trouble, 
Courage  in  your  own." 

Lindsay  Gordon, 


PUBLISHED    BY 

W.    DRESSER    &    SONS,    DARLINGTON. 

1908. 


Preface. 

In  presenting  the  following  pages  to  the  reader,  my  chief 
desire  has  been  to  preserve  the  hunting  records  of  a 
sporting  country  and  Hunt ;  which,  although  itself  of  no 
great  antiquity,  claims  parentage  from  that  famous  Hunt, 
"  The  Raby."  I  have  been  admonished  that  there  is  little 
anecdote  to  be  found  in  the  book.  There  is  not  much. 
There  are  always  lots  of  anecdotes  afloat  in  any  hunting 
field  (and  I  have  plenty  of  them).  But  it  takes  two  people 
to  make  the  anecdote,  the  one  who  scores,  and  the  one 
scored  off.  Lest  by  any  chance  I  should  hurt  the  feelings 
of  any  connected  with  the  latter  section,  I  have  decided  to 
steer  clear  of  the  thorny  path  of  "Anecdote,"  and  have, 
with  very  few  exceptions,  entirely  devoted  myself  to  matters 
which  solely  appertain  to  hunting.  As  I  have  worked  along 
from  1832  to  the  present  date  (only  75  years)  it  is  sad  to 
realize  how  quickly  the  hunting  lore  of  a  country  dies  out. 
Few  who  hunt  regularly,  keep  diaries ;  and  farmers  and 
others  who  remember  details  soon  drop  away,  making  it 
most  difficult  to  obtain  authentic  information.  I  desire  to 
offer  my  most  sincere  thanks  to  all  who  have  assisted  me 
in  my  venture ;  by  the  loan  of  hunting  diaries,  accounts  of 
runs,  photographs,  and  various  miscellaneous  information. 

One  word  to  my  hunting  friends.  Should  the  sale  of 
the  book  more  than  cover  the  actual  cost  of  production, 
I  propose  to  hand  all  further  proceeds  to  the  Hunt 
Servants  Benefit  Society ;  for  the  early  Pension  Fund — 
in  my  opinion  a  most  needed  and  worthy  object. 

F.  H.  R. 
Camp  Hill,  Bedale, 
igo8. 


Contents. 


CHAPTER  I.  PAGE 

The  Lords  Darlington  and  the    "  Raby 

Hounds "         .        -        _      3 

CHAPTER  II. 
Mr.  Mark  Milbank,  1832—1856        -        -        .      23 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Hon.  Ernest  Duncombe  (Lord  Feversham) 

1856—1867        -         -         -     62 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Mr.  John  J.  Booth,  1867—1878       -        -        -      67 

CHAPTER  V. 
Major  Henry  F.  Dent,  1878—1884  -        -        -      95 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Mr.  George  Elliot,  M.P.,  1884—1888      -        -    117 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Captain  W.  P.  Wilson-Todd,  1888—1896         -    123 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Major  Henry  F.  Dent,  1896—1898  -        -    146 

CHAPTER  IX. 

George  Godolphin,   10th  Duke  of  Leeds, 

1898—1904    -    -    -  154 

CHAPTER  X. 
Mr.  John  J.  Moubray,  1904      -        -        -        -    171 

APPENDIX  A. 
List  of  Masters  and  Hunt  Servants      -        -    199 

APPENDIX  B. 

Short  Account  of  the  Hounds  from  1867  to 

1908    -        -        -        -    201 


List    of    Illustrations. 


Portrait  of  Mr.  Mark  Milbank    -        -    to  face  page     23 
Map,  showing  Hunt  boundaries,  1842  „  44 

Portrait  of  Lord  Feversham 


Map,  showing  extended  northern  boundary, 
1861—1867        -        -        -        - 

Portrait  of  Mr.  John  B.  Booth    - 

Portrait  of  Mr.  George  Elliot,  M.P.     - 

Portrait  of  Captain  W.  P.  Wilson-Todd 

Portrait  of  Major  H.  F.  Dent 

Portrait  of  The  Duke  of  Leeds    - 

Map,  showing  new  southern  boundary,  1904 

Portrait  of  Mr.  John  J.  Moubray 


62 

64 
67 
117 
123 
146 
154 
169 
171 


THE  BEDALE  HOUNDS,  1832-1908. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Errata.  ™^^, 

e   of 

e  30.  line  24— After  "  Ainderby  -  delete  the  comma.  and 

35.  line  30-For  "Galphray."  read  Galphay.  of     a 

36.  line  19— For  "  Willo-bed."  read  Willowbed.  >rest. 
36.  2nd  line.  2nd  verse— For  "weather,"  read  weathers.  \  thC 
44.  last  line— For  "Martin."  read  Marton.  nrinS 
46.  line  10-After  "Scruton,"  add  inverted  commas  P^  -, 
70.  line  3-For  "  portsing  and  well-behaved."  read  sporting  i 

and  well-beloved.  ^       ^  ^CCKS 

85.  line  19— For  "Walke."  read  Walker.  ^Car, 

110.  line  24-For  "  Sedbergh."  read  Sedbury  y. 

suc- 
ceeded his  father  as  third  Earl  of  DarHngton, 
and  shortly  after  1794,  he  ceased  to  go  to 
the  Badsworth,  devoting  himself  entirely 
to  hunting  in  North  Yorkshire  and  Durham  ; 
from  the  river  Wear  on  the  north,  nearly 
down  to  the  river  Nidd  on  the  south.  In 
the  season  of  1810-11,  we  find  him  drawing 
Aldwark  Woods,  Brafferton  Spring,  Golds- 
boro*  Woods,  Laylands,  Allerton  Park,  and 
Sessay  Wood,  all  of  which  now  belong  to 
the  York  and  Ainsty.  The  country  within 
the  above  mentioned  northern  and  southern 


CHAPTER    I. 

LORDS  DARLINGTON,  AND  DUKE  OF  CLEVELAND 

Although  the  doings  of  the  Raby  Hounds 
do  not  intimately  concern  a  narrative  of 
the  ''Bedale/'  yet  some  few  incidents  and 
occurrences,  prior  to  the  formation  of  a 
Bedale  Country  proper,  may  be  of  interest. 

From  about  the  year  1787  until  1832  the 
country  of  which  the  Bedale  now  forms 
a  part,  was  hunted  by  the  second  and  third 
Lords  Darlington  ;  they  also  for  six  weeks 
in  the  autumn  and  spring  of  each  year, 
hunted   the   present   Badsworth   Country. 

In  September  1792,  WilHam  Harry  suc- 
ceeded his  father  as  third  Earl  of  DarHngton, 
and  shortly  after  1794,  he  ceased  to  go  to 
the  Badsworth,  devoting  himself  entirely 
to  hunting  in  North  Yorkshire  and  Durham  ; 
from  the  river  Wear  on  the  north,  nearly 
down  to  the  river  Nidd  on  the  south.  In 
the  season  of  1810-11,  we  find  him  drawing 
Aldwark  Woods,  Brafferton  Spring,  Golds- 
boro'  Woods,  Laylands,  Allerton  Park,  and 
Sessay  Wood,  all  of  which  now  belong  to 
the  York  and  Ainsty.  The  country  within 
the  above  mentioned  northern  and  southern 


4       The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


boundaries  would,  I  imagine,  have  been 
known  as  the  Raby. 

When  hunting  the  southern  portion  of 
this  large  tract  of  country,  he  resided  at  his 
hunting  box,  Newton  House,  near  Leeming ; 
where  there  was  ample  stable  and  kennel 
accommodation  for  his  establishment.  One 
portion  of  his  kennel  arrangements,  com- 
mented upon  in  those  days  as  a  novelty, 
was  a  passage  leading  from  the  feeding  to 
the  lodging  room  of  hounds.  This  was  made 
about  six  inches  deep,  capable  of  holding 
liquid  ;  and  on  hunting  days  was  filled  with 
broth  from  the  copper.  On  their  way  back 
from  the  feeding  to  the  lodging  room,  hounds 
were  made  to  pass  through  this  ' '  river  of 
broth.*'  In  consequence  they  licked  their 
feet  dry,  and,  as  the  healing  property  of  a 
dog's  tongue  for  any  sore  place  is  proverbial, 
the  result  was  most  satisfactory. 

The  Kennels  were  only  about  two  hundred 
yards  away  from  the  house  (where  the 
present  kitchen  garden  now  is),  and  once 
when  asked  whether  the  smell  from  the 
boiling  house  was  not  sometimes  rather 
strong  and  unpleasant,  he  repUed,  ' '  It  may 
be,  but  we  are  all  too  well  bred  for  fox-hunting 
to  mind  that ;  and  a  concord  of  sweet  sounds 
from  the  Kennel  compensates  for  any  un- 
savoury smells." 

This  third  Earl  of  Darlington  must  have 
been  a  great  character  in  many  ways  :  but 
hunting  the  fox  appears  to  have  been  his 
passion. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


It  is  recorded  that  he  was  all  for  riding ; 
and  ' '  four  couples  of  hounds  in  front,  and 
the  rest  coming  on  how  they  could,''  was 
the  general  order  of  things.  The  following 
verse  taken  from  a  poem  written  by  Mr.  M. 
Hawke,  to  commemorate  a  famous  run  with 
the  Badsworth,  from  Howell  Wood :  perhaps 
happily  describes  him  : — 

"  Then  first  in  the  burst,  see  dashing  away, 
Taking  all  in  his  stride,  on  Ralpho  the  gray. 
With  persuaders  in  flank,  comes  Darlington's  Peer 
With  his  chin  sticking  out,  and  his  cap  on  his  ear."* 

In  addition  to  his  fondness  for  fox  hunting, 
Lord  Darlington  was  a  firm  supporter  of 
the  Turf;  and  the  two  Chifneys — Sam  and 
Will — were  closely  connected  with  his  racing 
stable.  He  gave  very  long  prices  for  some 
of  his  horses,  but  few  turned  out  really  worth 
much.  He  won  the  Ascot  Cup  in  1827,  with 
Memmon ;  the  St.  Leger  in  1831,  with 
Chorister ;  and  ran  second  for  the  Derby 
of  1818,  with  a  grey  colt  called  Raby,  being 
beaten  three  parts  of  a  length  by  Sam. 

He  kept  a  large  pack  of  hounds — about 
seventy  couples — sometimes  hunting  with 
all  young  ones,  when  '  *  the  fun  must  have 
been  fast  and  furious.*'  But  the  usual 
number  was  twenty  to  twenty-five  couples 
of  mixed  hounds. 

His  hunting  diaries  are  a  model  of  exacti- 
tude in  necessary  information.       Brief,  but 

*  Nimrod,  in  his  "  Hunting  Tours  and  Letters  on  Riding  to 
Hounds,"  states  that  in  the  year  1826,  Lord  Darlington 
wore  a  hat  and  a  leather  girdle  across  his  shoulder.  His 
two  whippers-in  were  also  in  hats. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


every  word  to  the  point. 

He  notes  the  place  and  time  of  meeting, 
the  coverts  drawn,  the  day's  sport,  scent, 
weather,  the  vagaries  of  his  ' '  field, ' '  and 
the  complaints  of  covert  holders  ;  of  which 
I  give  a  specimen, 

''  1825-26.  In  consequence  of  the  innu- 
merable foxes  which  Lord  T.  reported  to 
me  were  about  K  .  .  .  .  and  attacking  his 
hares  (in  the  middle  of  the  day  one  of  his 
Lordship's  keepers  saw  three  foxes  worrying 
a  hare),  I  selected  sixteen  couples  of  my 
best  and  steadiest  hounds  to  go  to  K  .  .  .  . 
at  11  o'clock,  and  obey  his  Lordship's 
behests.  They  tried  every  myrtle,  rush, 
whinbush,  hazel-tree,  brick-kiln  remains, 
thorn  hedge,  pleasure  ground,  and  pheasant 
preserve  appurtenances,  without  ever  finding 
a  fox,  for  nearly  three  hours  ;  except  one 
unfortunate  dog  fox,  which  was  instantly 
killed — labouring  under  a  poisonous  disorder 
called  the  scab."  [Surely  this  must  have 
been  the  mange  ?     Ed.  ] 

Also  a  tabulated  statement  of  every  covert 
drawn.  If  foxes  found  or  not,  if  any  killed 
therefrom,  foxes  marked  to  ground,  and 
the  sex  of  each  killed.  So  that  at  a  glance 
one  can  see  how  different  localities  did  or  did 
not  provide  foxes,  and  from  which  most 
were  killed.  As  will  be  seen  later,  Mr.  Mark 
Milbank  adopted  the  same  system. 

An  extract  from  his  diary  of  the  season 
1810-11,  will  give  a  fair  idea  of  the  sport 
during    the    period    he    hunted    the    Raby 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


country.  Hunting  began  September  12th, 
and  finished  on  the  3rd  of  April ;  hounds 
being  out  ninety-two  days. 

29J  brace  of  foxes  were  killed,  20J  were 
marked  to  ground,  and  there  was  no  blank 
day. 

At  this  date  a  Master  of  Hounds  seems 
to  have  been  troubled  with  an  eager  field, 
as  the  following  extract  records. 

26th  January,  1811. 

"A  very  unfortunate  vexatious  day. 

Mr.  M.  H.  and  several  other  equally 
dashing  sportsmen  out,  whose  anxiety,  with 
some  jealousy,  though  not  blamable  [can 
we  see  here  a  sneaking  fondness  for  his  own 
idea  of  '  four  couples  on,  and  the  rest  of 
the  pack  anyhow?  '  Ed.],  tended  to  the  des- 
truction of  sport.  Besides,  the  hounds  were 
by  no  means  true  to  the  scent ;  and  incurred 
my  grave  displeasure." 

What  a  volume  of  what  not  to  do,  and 
how  it  is  so  easily  done,  is  summed  up  in 
the  above  few  words. 

The  destruction  of  sport  in  the  first  in- 
stance, and  then  by  being  over-ridden 
how  his  hounds  became  wild,  and  incurred 
his  grave  displeasure.  Those  of  us  nearly 
a  hundred  years  younger,  may  well  ponder 
over  these  remarks  and  lay  them  well  to 
heart. 

The  question  of  costume  in  the  hunting 
field,  has  recently  been  the  subject  of  some 
discussion  in  the  papers.  The  following  from 
''  Nimrod's  Hunting  Tour  ''    when  hunting 


8       The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


with  the  *  Bedale/  reads  rather  to  the 
point,  in  favour  of  a  correct  form  of  dress. 

''  Mr.  F.  had  a  heavy  fall,  but  is  none 
the  worse.  I  attribute  the  disaster  to  this 
cause.  The  Goddess  of  Hunting  is  easily 
affronted,  and  when  she  knits  her  brows  is 
of  vindictive  temper,  sometimes  requiring 
even  human  sacrifice.  Mr.  F's  costume  was 
ill-suited  to  her  court :  he  was  attired  in 
white  Russian  -  duck  trousers  and  Wel- 
lington boots,  looking  very  unlike  a  fox- 
hunter  in  the  end  of  November.  As  his  cloth 
was  hlack,  he  ought  to  have  remembered 
the  words  of  the  text,  '  How  camest  thou  in 
hither,  not   having  a  wedding   garment  ?  '  ' ' 

Although  I  have  had  a  good  many  falls, 
I  have  at  least  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  they  all  happened  when  I  had  on  my 
' '  wedding  garments, ' '  top-boots,  leathers 
and  scarlet. 

A  run  which  took  place  on  the  5th  March, 
1811,  is  well  worthy  of  record,  and  I  give 
it  in  Lord  D.'s  own  words. 

''  Threw  off  at  Hollin  Head  Wood.  Did 
not  find  till  we  got  to  the  Whin  covert, 
north  of  Winksley,  where  we  did  handsomely. 

Ran  west  towards  Pateley  Bridge,  then 
turned  past  Ensley,  and  Grantley  Gates, 
down  Spa  Gyll  out  towards  Sawley;  into 
Fountains  Vale,  through  Studley  Gardens, 
down  the  Park,  back  through  the  Gardens, 
past  Fountains  Abbey  to  Spa  Gyll ;  from 
thence  took  straight  over  the  country,  by 
Aldfield,    in   a   direct  line   as  straight  as  a 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


crow  can  fly  for  seven  miles  to  Hackfall. 
Ran  through  here  out  at  the  north  end,  crossed 
the  river  Yore,  down  Maudlin  Banks  to  Tan- 
field  Hall,  to  the  west  of  Heslett's  Wood 
nearly  up  to  the  village  of  Binsoe.  Here 
the  fox  was  headed,  and  turned  short  back 
by  Aldburgh  Hall  across  to  Upbank  Wood, 
where  hounds  ran  very  hard  (and  I  viewed 
h;m).  He  broke  away  two  fields  towards 
Gibdykes,  but  hounds  running  from  scent 
to  view  killed  him  in  a  ploughed  field  after 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  runs  that  I  have 
witnessed  for  some  years  in  any  country ; 
and  hounds  behaved  to  admiration.  Sir 
Bellingham  Graham  and  Mr.  Morley  rode 
very  conspicuously  and  well  for  two  hours 
and  forty  minutes,  but  we  continued  to  run 
brilliantly  for  another  fifty-five  minutes  after- 
wards, making  in  the  whole  a  chase  of  three 
hours  and  thirty-five  minutes,  at  the  end 
of  which  my  good  friend  Godfrey  Wentworth 
was  present,  and  equally  rejoiced  as  myself.'* 

During  the  period  that  he  hunted  the 
Badsworth  Country,  Lord  DarHngton  estab- 
Hshed  a  ' '  Hunt  Club  ' '  at  Ferrybridge  near 
Pontefract,  which  was  close  to  the  residence 
he  rented,  Belham  House.  The  reason  he 
did  so  being  :  ' '  That  he  was  of  opinion  it 
was  desirable  that  sportsmen  should  meet 
together  pretty  often  to  discuss  their  sport, 
the  preservation  of  foxes,  the  making  of  new 
coverts,  and  anything  likely  to  improve  the 
country  from  a  fox  hunting  point  of  view." 

In  the  year  1808,  he  established  another 


10      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Hunt  Club,  in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Raby  Country,  at  Boroughbridge,  and  it  was 
directed  that  the  members  of  the  club  should 
wear  the  uniform  of  the  Hunt. 

In  the  same  year  a  club  was  formed  at 
Beverley  by  the  followers  of  Sir  Mark  Sykes's 
and  Mr.  Watt's  hounds  (then  Masters  of  the 
Holderness). 

These  Hunt  Clubs  seem  to  have  been 
popular  institutions,  for  in  1816,  hunting 
people  in  the  Bedale  neighbourhood  formed 
one,  and  the  following  is  a  list  of  the 
original  members,  with  some  quaint  resolu- 
tions which  are  instructive,  as  concerns 
poultry  damage,  and  the  making  of  new 
coverts. 


THE 

RABY     HUNT 

BEDALE    CLUB; 

COMMENCING 

31st.  OCTOBER  1816. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  RABY  HUJSTT, 

Held  this  31»/.  Day  of  OCTOBER  1816, 

at  the  Black  Swan  Inn, 

BEDALE. 

The  following  JSToblemen  and  Gentlemen  of  the  said  Hunt, 
agree  to  form  a  CL  UB,  (  viz.  ) 


The  Duke  of  Leeds. 
The  Earl  of  Darlington. 
J.  W .  Clough,  Esq. 
M.  Wyville,  Esq. 
S.  Scroope,  Esq. 
H.  Witham,  Esq. 


S.  Cradock,  Esq. 
John'* Allan,  Esq. 
Gerard  B.  Wharton,  Esq. 
Richard  Peirse,  Esq. 
Thomas  Davison,  Esq. 
George  Healey,  Esq. 


Members    Elected^ 


Mark  Milbank,  Esq. 

Francis  Ingram,  Esq. 

Hon.  Col.  Dix. 

Rev.  John  T.  Monson. 

George  Hartley,  Esq. 

Sir  John  P.  Beresford,  Bart. 

Rev.  Edward  Wyvill. 

G.  Adam  Askew,  Esq. 

Thomas  Lawson,  Esq. 

Hon.  Captain  Dundass. 

Thomas  Dandass,  Esq. 

Christopher  Wyville,  Esq. 

Jacob  Maude,  Esq. 

James  H.  D'Aroy  Hutton   Esq. 

Captain  O'Callaghan. 

Rev.  George  Ford  Clarke. 

By  the  year  i82g  the  following  Gentlemen  had  been  added . 


Rodrick  J.  Murchinson. 
William  Armytage,  Esq. 
Simon  Scroope,  Esq. 
Henry  Tower,  Esq. 
I'ldmund  Turton,  Esq. 
John  Wormald,  Esq. 
William  Russell,  Esq. 
Edward  Copley,  Esq. 
Major  St.  Paul. 
Col.  Mayriok. 
George  Wilkinson,  Esq. 
Col.  Elsley. 
John  Hutton,  Esq. 
Henry  Wormald,  Esq. 
John  Clough,  Esq, 


The  Honble.  Col.  Arden. 
W.  G.  Harland,  Esq. 
Thomas  Maude,  Esq. 
Sir  Bellingham  Graham,  Bart. 
T.  K.  Staveley,  Esq. 


Henry  Glaridge,  Esq. 
John  Hodgson,  Esq. 
Gapt.  Edward  Watts,  R.N. 
Rev.  Ewart. 
George  Wombwell,  Esq. 


Resolved, 

THAT  the  Annual  Subscription  of  each  Member  shall  be  Fire  Gaineas,  to 
commenoe  this  Day,  and  to  be  paid  to  the  Inn-keeper  of  the  Blaok  Swan,  in  the 
course  of  the  First  Meeting  of  each  Season,  and  in  failure  thereof,  the  Name  of 
such  defaulter  shall  be  put  up  in  the  Club  Room  on  the  first  Day  of  the  ensuing 
Meeting,  unless  the  Subscription  is  Paid,  and  if  not  paid  before  the  First  Day  of 
November  next,  the  Name  of  such  Defaulter  to  be  erased  from  the  Club. 

THAT  the  Subscriptions  be  applied  in  defraying  the  Expences  of  the  Break- 
fasts and  Dinners  only,  and  that  each  Stranger  pay  Half  a  Guinea  for  his  Dinner 

BED  ALE,  19,  Novmber,  1818. 
Resolved, 

THAT  the  Dinner  Bill  shall  be  brought  to  the  President  Two  Hours  and  a 
Half  after  the  Cloth  is  drawn  by  the  Master  of  the  House,  under  a  forfeit  of  One 
Guinea  to  the  Club,  each  time  he  fails  to  do  so. 

Resolved, 

THAT  the  President  shall  leave  the  Chair  after  the  Bottle  of  Wine  is 
finished,  which  is  in  circulation  at  the  time  the  Bill  is  delivered  to  him,  or  in 
Failure  of  his  doing  so,  the  President  shall  forfeit  Three  Guineas  to  the  Club. 

Resolved, 

THAT  Tea  and  Coffee  shall  be  ready  in  another  Boom  at  the  time  the  Bill 
is  delivered. 

Resolved, 

THAT  an  allowance  of  Thirty  Shillings  shall  be  made  to  the  Innkeeper  each 
week  during  the  continuance  of  the  Hunt,  in  the  event  of  no  Club  Dinners  being 
served  in  that  week  for  more  than  6  members. 

BED  ALE,  4,  Novmber,  1819. 
Resolved, 

THAT  the  above  Rule  declaring  the  Wines  to  be  drank  at  the  Ezpence  of 
the  Club  should  be  Port  and  Sherry  only,  shall  be  so  far  extended  as  to  allow 
Claret  to  be  drank,  but  that  no  more  Claret  than  one  Bottle  per  head  for  each 
Person  present  shall  be  drank,  unless  called  for  by  any  Member  under  the  sanction 
of  the  President,  within  the  prescribed  Club  Hours,  and  for  which  extra  Wine, 
Twelve  Shillings  per  Bottle  must  be  paid  by  the  Member  who  calls  for  it. 

THAT  the  Meetings  shall  commenoe  on  the  First  Day  that  Lord  Darlington's 
Fox  Hounds  shall  Hunt  from  Newton  House,  and  continue  till  the  Last  Day  of 
Hunting  from  thence. 

THAT  the  Dinner  be  furnished  at  Five  Shillings  per  Head,  including  Malt 
Liquor  and  Desert. 

THAT  any  Gentleman  wishing  to  become  a  Candidate  for  the  Club,  shall  be 
proposed  and  seconded  by  two  Members  thereof,  to  be  inserted  in  a  Book  kept  for 
that  purpose  by  the  Innkeeper,  Five  days  previous  to  his  being  Balloted  for ;  Five 
Members  to  constitute  a  Ballot,  and  one  Black  Ball  to  exclude. 

THAT  the  above  Resolutions  be  printed,  and  a  Copy  transmitted  to  each 
Member  Annually,  during  the  First  Week  in  October. 


BEDALE,  30,  Match,  1821, 

Resolved, 

THAT  Sixpence  per  head  be  allowed  to  the  Waiter  in  the  Daily  Bill,  for  each 
Person  who  Dines  at  the  Clnb,  and  to  be  charged  in  the  Bill. 

BED  ALE,  8,  November,  1821. 

IT  is  rcBolred  that  the  Rules  which  relate  to  the  Bestriction  as  to  the 
Qaalities  of  the  Wine  to  be  drank  by  the  Clnb  shall  be  Rescinded. 

ALSO  that  any  Member  who  shall  call  for  Wine  after  the  Bill  is  delivered  at 
the  Regnlated  Hoar  shall  forfeit  to  the  Glab  the  same  Fine  of  Three  Guineas,  as 
the  President  is  already  subject  to. 

BED  ALB,  25,  November,  1821. 

Resolved, 

THAT  a  goed  Cook  be  engaged  at  the  expence  of  the  Club,  to  dress  the 
Dinner  eyery  Thursday,  during  the  Meetings  of  the  Club  each  Season. 

ALSO  that  Two  Dozen  of  Silver  Forks  be  immediately  ordered  at  the 
expence  of  the  Club  to  be  their  Property,  bearing  the  same  impression  as  the 
Button  of  the  Raby  Uniform ;  and  the  Earl  of  Darlington  and  Mark  Milbank  be 
requested  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  carrying  the  above  Resolution 
into  effect. 

BED  ALE,  22,  November,  1821, 
Resolved, 

THAT  the  following  Gentlemen,  or  any  three  of  them,  form  a  Committee  to 
adjust  and  settle  all  Claims  made  by  Persons  for  Losses  sustained  by  the 
Destruction  of  Poultry  by  Foxes,  and  that  the  amount  of  the  sum  so  settled  and 
adjusted  by  suck  Committee,  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  Funds  of  the  Club. 

Darlington, 
Mark  Milbank, 
George  Ford  Clarke, 
John  Monson, 
Sheldon  Cradoek, 
Gerard  B.  Wharton, 
George  Healey, 
Edward  Wyvill, 
Henry  Tower. 

BED  ALE,  9,  January,  1823. 
Resolved, 

THAT  a  Whin  Cover  shall  be  made  at  the  expence  of  the  Club,  consisting 
of  not  less  than  12  acres  nor  more  than  16  acres,  the  Rent  of  which  as  well  as 
every  other  attendant  expence,  are  to  be  defrayed  by  the  Club  in  future. 

Resolved, 

THAT  Colonel  Cradoek  be  requested  to  engage  and  to  select  the  most 
desirable  situation  for  the  above  named  Cover,  and  that  Colonel  Cradoek  and 
Lord  Darlington  shall  give  the  necessary  Orders  for  carrying  the  same  into  effect. 

Darlington. 
Mark  Milbank, 
John  J.  T.  Monson, 
Henry  Tower, 
George  Ford  Clarke. 


BBDALE,  3U  March,  1825. 
Resolved, 

THAT  no  Dinner  or  Wine,  if  served  before  Six  o'clock,  shall  be  paid  for  out 
of  the  Fands  of  the  Glnb. 

Mark  Milbank. 
Cleveland. 
C.  Wyvill. 
Henry  Tower. 
J.  Clough. 
W.  S.  Mayrick. 

BED  ALE,  19,  November,  1829. 
Resolved, 

THAT  in  consequence  of  the  increase  of  the  fucds  of  the  Club,  the  Annual 
Subscription  shall  only  be  Three  Pounds  instead  of  Five  Guineas,  commencing 
from  the  beginning  of  the  present  season.  Resolved  that  Mr.  Bedford  shall 
address  each  Member  by  letter  to  request  the  Amount  of  arrears  to  be  imme- 
diately remitted  ;  at  the  same  time  stating  that  the  Annual  Subscription  was 
reduced  to  Three  Pounds,  from  the  beginning  of  the  present  season.  That  all 
replies  Mr.  B.  receives  shall  be  laid  before  the  Giub. 


Todd  and  Sons,  Printers,  Bedale. 

EDITORS'  NOTE.— I  find  that  the  weekly  day  of  the  Club  dinner  was  on  a  Thursday, 
when  Lord  Darlington  was  most  particular  in  being  present.  A  Chairman  or 
President  was  selected  for  each  Club  dinner.  The  Club  had  their  own  cellar  of 
wine,  aod  in  1822  had  a  fund  of  about  £450. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      15 


The  6th  Duke  of  Leeds  kept  a  pack  of 
fox-hounds  at  Hornby  Castle,  with  Kit  Scaife 
as  huntsman  and  Will  Danby  as  whipper-in, 
hunting  the  country  west  of  the  Castle, 
beyond  Askrigg  and  Hawes.  The  "Druid" 
in  Silk  and  Scarlet  thus  describes  it.  ' '  A 
singularly  wild  and  beautiful  one,  all  dells 
and  ling.  Hounds  constantly  ran  into  West- 
moreland, and  they  used  to  return  by  ones 
and  twos  to  kennels,  at  all  hours  of  the  night. 
Once — no  one  being  with  them,  they  ran 
a  fox  to  ground  in  Masham  Moor  Heads, 
thirty  miles  from  kennels.'** 

In  1816,  owing  to  some  disagreement 
with  Lord  Darlington,  the  Duke  decided  to 
give  up  his  hounds,  and  they  were  sold. 

A  few  couples  were  bought  by  Mr.  Tom 
Hodgson,  then  Master  oi  the  Badsworth  ; 
and  eighteen  couples  by  the  Committee  of 
the  York  and  Ainsty — a  body  which  had 
just  been  constituted  to  manage  the  affairs 
of  this  pack  of  hounds. 

On  the  break  up  of  the  Duke's  hunting 
establishment,  Skaife  became  head  of  his 
racing  one,  having  as  his  head  lad,  John 
Osborne  (father  of  Mr.  John  Osborne,  of 
Brecongill),  and  Sim  Templeman  as  the 
stable  jockey. 

Will  Danby  deserves  more  than  a  cursory 
remark,   as  he  was  a  Bedale  bred  man — 


The  Duke  must  have  kept  a  fairly  large  number  of  hounds,  as 
in  the  year  1809,  I  find  that  the  Duke  of  Rutland  bought 
15^  couples  from  him.  At  this  particular  date  they  did  not 
breed  the  number  of  hounds  at  Belvoir  that  they  did  a  few 
years  later,  and  of  course  do  now. 


16      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


a  typical  Yorkshireman — and  a  rare  hunts- 
man. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  tenant  farmer,  on  the 
Hornby  Castle  estate,  and  was  being  brought 
up  to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture.  When  four- 
teen years  of  age  (1809),  some  buildings  on 
his  father's  farm  were  taken  and  converted 
into  kennels  for  the  Duke's  hounds.  From 
that  moment  his  heart  went  out  to  hounds 
and  remained  there  till  his  death. 

He  was  deputed  to  take — by  road — the 
eighteen  couples  of  hounds  mentioned,  to 
the  York  and  Ainsty  Kennel  at  Knavesmire, 
and  remain  there  as  a  whipper-in. 

The  kennel  buildings  had  only  just  been 
completed,  and  the  benches  were  of  such  a 
flimsy  nature,  that  as  soon  as  the  eighteen 
couples  rushed  on  to  them,  they  collapsed. 
Mr.  Clough,  who  was  the  working  member  of 
the  York  and  Ainsty  Committee,  and  who 
was  present  to  see  the  draft  come  in,  used  such 
violent  language,  when  the  above  catastrophe 
took  place,  that  Will  decided  it  was  no  place 
for  him,  and  he  went  off ;  taking  service  with 
Mr.  Tom  Hodgson,  who  was  then  Master  of 
the  Badsworth.  From  here  he  was  for  a 
short  time  with  the  6th  Lord  Scarborough, 
when  he  had  the  Grove,  and  then  went  to  a 
pack  of  harriers  near  Halifax. 

When  Mr.  Tom  Hodgson  took  the  Hol- 
derness  in  1824,  Will  decided  to  try  and  get 
back  to  his  old  Master,  who  was  then  Hving 
at  Snydale,  near  Normanton ;  to  which 
place  Will  walked  from  Halifax  in  his  top- 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      17 


boots,  a  distance  of  twenty-two  miles  in  six 
hours.  Mr.  Hodgson  was  so  delighted  with 
the  man's  energy  and  keenness  that  he  engaged 
him  on  the  spot,  at  a  guinea  a  week,  as  First 
Whipper-in  and  Kennel  Huntsman.  On 
expressing  surprise  that  Will  proposed  to 
return  on  foot,  he  was  met  with  the  reply, 
''The  distance  mattered  nowt.''  Forty- 
four  miles  in   top-boots  !  !  ! 

The  sport  shown  by  Mr.  Hodgson  and  Will 
Danby  in  Holderness  needs  no  comment 
here — it  is  too  well  known.  It  only  remains 
to  say  that  Will  had  not  seen  the  last  of  the 
York  and  Ainsty  in  1817,  as  he  thought ;  for 
in  1837  he  returned  to  that  pack  as  hunts- 
man to  Mr.  George  Lloyd,  and  remained  there 
until  1853,  when  Sir  Charles  Slingsby  took  the 
country,  and  decided  to  hunt  hounds  him- 
self. He  was  presented  with  a  handsome 
testimonial  on  his  retirement,  and  there  is 
now  a  capital  oil  painting  of  him — with 
some  hounds  —  in  the  Yorkshire  Club  at 
York.* 

He  did  not  stand  down  for  very  long,  as 
1855  saw  him  huntsman  to  the  Hur worth 
hounds. 

The  following  is  a  quaint  account  by  Lord 
Darlington,   of  a  run  from  Newton  House, 
on  November  17th,  1821  :— 
''  Met  at  11  a.m. 

Found  in  Gatenby  Whin,  broke  away  to  the 
south  past  AUerthorpe  nearly  up  to  Pickhill 

*  The  painting  is  by  I.  W.  Snow,  and  is  dated  1845. 


18      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


village,  turned  to  the  right  and  crossed  the 
Leeming  Lane  half  a  mile  north  of  Butcher 
Bar,  from  thence  by  Kirklington,  Sutton 
Howgrave  and  Middleton  Quernhow,  to  the 
Bottoms  near  to  Wath  village,  where  he 
turned  to  the  left,  and  went  straight  behind 
York  Gate  to  the  Leeming  Lane,  which  he 
crossed  near  to  the  corner  of  Hutton  Moor, 
from  there  down  towards  the  Baldersby 
Lane,  when  being  headed,  he  turned  back, 
and  hounds  killed  him — an  old  dog  fox. 

A  most  gallant  run,  and  chiefly  very  quick 
for  one  hour  and  thirty-five  minutes.  Had 
eight  and  a  half  couples  of  young,  and  thir- 
teen of  old  hounds  out 

Mr.  Ward's  'Boniface'  kept  the  head  of  the 
pack  in  a  most  astonishing  and  superior 
manner,  without  deigning  to  go  through  a 
hedge  or  a  gate,  all  of  which  he  flew.  I  was 
riding  'Wizard,'  who  carried  me  with  his 
accustomed  ease,  elegance  and  superiority, 
and  for  the  last  few  miles  of  the  run,  which 
may  be  computed  at  sixteen,  he  went  with 
his  head  up  and  proud  of  his  place,  like  a 
monarch  clothed  in  coronation  robes." 

The  following  letter  describes  a  fierce 
encounter  between  a  labourer  and  a  ' '  poultry 
stealing ' '   fox. 

To  The  Most  Honourable, 

The  Marquess  of  Cleveland, 

Newton  House. 
My  Lord  Marquess, 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  sending  to  your 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      19 


Lordship  a  fox,  which  was  taken  by  a  poor 
man  (who  Hves  in  a  cottage  near  me)  this 
morning  in  the  following  singular  way.  He 
was  awoke  very  early  by  a  fox  taking  away 
one  of  his  geese.  Without  any  clothes  on, 
or  even  a  stick  in  his  hand  he  followed,  shout- 
ing, trying  to  recover  his  goose.  The  man 
came  up  to  the  fox  (I  think)  in  the  middle  of 
the  second  field,  and  after  fighting  some  time 
(the  man  having  received  several  very  severe 
bites  in  his  hands)  at  last  got  hold  of  him 
with  his  teeth,  and  secured  him.  I  could  not 
persuade  the  man  to  let  him  off  again,  so 
thought  it  best  to  send  to  your  Lordship, 
as  for  fear  he  might  be  destroyed. 
I  have  the  honour  to  remain, 

My  Lord  Marquess, 
Your   Lordship's   most   obedient   servant, 

5^.    John  Hutton. 
Sowber  Hill, 

23rd  December,  1831. 

In  1832,  Lord  Darlington  gave  up  hunting 
the  southern  part  of  the  Raby  country,  which 
brings  us  to  the  formation  of  the  ' '  Bedale 
Hunt,"  to  be  described  in  the  next  chapter. 
Before,  however,  leaving  Lord  Darhngton 
and  his  country,  the  comments  of  '  *  Nimrod  ' ' 
on  it  in  particular,  and  Yorkshire  in  general, 
about  the  year  1826,  may  be  of  interest.  He 
writes:  *'  It  (Yorkshire)  is  too  close  to  enjoy 
hounds  in,  and  subject  to  everlasting  inter- 
ruption from  coverts,  rivers,  canals  and  rail- 
roads.    The  ploughed  land  in  some  parts  may 


20      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


be  described  as  rotten,  rather  than  deep  :  but 
in  the  Bedale  country  the  grass  land  is  par- 
ticularly sound  and  dry.  The  fences,  with 
the  exception  of  the  '  stells  '  or  brooks, 
are  such  as  do  not  so  much  put  to  the  test 
the  spring  and  power  of  a  hunter,  as  his 
temper  and  the  ready  use  of  his  legs. 

It  is  a  country  in  which  men  who  ride 
quickly  over  it  must  get  falls. 

For  scent,  I  should  say,  Yorkshire  is  upon 
the  whole  favourable,  and  Holderness  good 
to  the  proverb  :  '  In  a  wet  season,  any  fool 
could  kill  a  fox  with  a  Utter  of  pigs,'  but 
notwithstanding  this  I  have  reason  to  think 
straightforward  runs  are  scarce  articles  in 
this  land  of  sporting.  It  must,  however,  be 
recollected  that  the  majority  of  the  coverts 
are  whins,  and  ringing  runs  generally  prevail 
where  they  abound,  which  accounts  for  the 
ease  with  which  gentlemen  now  jump  upon 
their  second  horses  in  Leicestershire.  A  fox 
breaking  from  a  wood  has  usually  time  to 
look  about  him,  steal  quietly  away,  and 
make  his  point ;  but  from  a  gorse  covert  he 
is  almost  always  viewed  away,  is  alarmed, 
gets  blown,  and  turns  short.'' 

[With  the  greatest  deference  to  ' '  Nimrod," 
I  fail,  writing  eighty  years  later,  to  agree 
with  him.  Not  only  in  Yorkshire  but  in 
other  counties  I  have  seen  the  best  of  points, 
gallops,  and  hunts  from  whin  or  gorse  coverts. 
They  are  a  necessity  after  the  end  of  Dec- 
ember, when  most  woodlands  lose  their 
undergrowth,  the  wind  sweeps  through  them 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      21 


and  foxes  seldom  lie  in  them.  From  a  wood- 
land, hounds  do  not  very  often  get  a  good 
start  with  a  fox  ;  and  the  making  of  most 
good  runs,  whether  from  a  huntsman's  point 
of  view  (i.e.,  Blood)  or  the  '*  hard  rider's  "  ; 
is  to  get  away  on  the  back  of  a  fox.  This 
generally  comes  off  from  a  whin  covert,  if 
the  ' '  field  ' '  is  kept  in  its  proper  place,  and 
*'  in  order."    Ed.] 

He  appears  to  have  been  attracted  by  the 
manly  and  independent  bearing  of  the  York- 
shireman  generally,  together  with  his  quaint 
humour  and  somewhat  laconic  expression. 
An  instance  of  which,  having  reference  to 
Lord  Darlington,  he  thus  relates  : — 

''  Lord  Darhngton  was  posting  somewhere, 
and  changing  horses  at  an  inn  where  he  was 
well-known,  expressed  a  wish  that  no  time 
should  be  lost  on  the  way,  as  he  was  in  a 
hurry.  '  Drive  my  Lord  WELL,  lads,' 
to  the  postillions,  said  the  Landlord.  '  But ' 
— in  an  undertone — '  Mind  me,  don't  over- 
egg' t'pudden.'  i.e.,  Don't  overdrive  and 
kill  the  horses." 


^ 

•«-> 

c 

o     . 

(D      • 

O  00 

«5 

Q  00 
.  00 

«o 

fe-^ 

—  .  o 

5^ 

^z 

o"^ 

^  t- 

-s 

•1- 

1^ 

s 

^ 


^^  o  5 
o    1  o 

2  1-1    CO 

v-l  S  c 

5    ^    W    tiC 

"  oT  ^  -^ 

d  ^  <^  a  „^  to 
o 


gs    to 

*3       P  2  « 
e8        ®  <U  » 


>>    W  o 


•rsco 
a)  O 

-"o  o 


W£ 


'^  HP?  a 

.2  «^=' 

•S  ill 

I  5  .& 

<«  -^  a  Q, 

M  OO   4)    Sjj    c« 

«  <»^£    « 

*  C      <N  .p„  a; 


CHAPTER     II. 

1832—1856. 
Mark    Milbank. 

'*If  ever  you  keep  hounds,  always  give  orders, 
and  never  ask  opinions." — Surtees. 

In  1832,  William  Henry,  Lord  Darlington, 
who  had  been  created  First  Marquess  of 
Cleveland  in  1827,  and  elevated  to  the  Duke- 
dom thereof  in  1833,  ceased  on  account  of 
ill  health  to  hunt  the  southern  portion  of  his 
huge  ' '  Ksby  ' '  country.  On  return  from 
hunting  he  always  personally  saw  his  hounds 
fed,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  super- 
intending this  most  important  operation, 
very  often  in  his  wet  clothes,  brought  on 
rheumatism   and   other   ailments. 

The  future  state  of  the  ' '  Raby  ' '  country 
is  best  explained  in  the  form  of  a  * '  pedigree.' ' 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  Lord  Dar- 
lington's son-in-law,  Mr.  Mark  Milbank, 
of  Thorp  Perrow,  near  Bedale,  undertook 
the  first  Mastership  of  what  was  constituted 
the  Bedale  Hunt.  Although  from  an  oral 
account  given  by  an  old  resident  in  Snape, 
called    Tom  Exelby  (aged  87  in   1902),  his 


24      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


grandfather,  who  was  ''  a  miraculous  youth," 
had  hunted  with  a  pack  of  hounds  called  the 
''Bedale/'  They  were  trencher  fed  and 
kept  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Well.  This 
' '  miraculous  youth  ' '  must  have  been 
whipper-in  or  something  of  the  kind,  as  on 
hunting  days  he  collected  hounds  by  puUing 
the  ears  of  the  few  which  he  kept.  This  made 
them  howl,  and  so  attracted  the  others, 
which  were  kept  in  neighbouring  farms  and 
houses,  to  the  place  of  meeting. 

Mr.  Milbank  had  in  his  younger  days  kept 
a  pack  of  harriers,  to  which  probably  the 
following  poem  refers  : — 

BEDALE,     20th    DECEMBER,     1809. 


'Twas  at  nine  in  the  morn,  and  the  weather  was  fair 
When  we  set  out  from  Bedale,  in  search  of  a  hare. 
There  was  Charley  the  Huntsman,  and  young  Mr. 

Mark,* 
Dick  Peirse  and  John  Monson,  not  forgetting  George 

Clark ; 
A  large  field  of  farmers  all  eager  to  ride, 
Each  swearing  to  each  as  they  rode  side  by  side. 
How  the  other  would  dash  over  mountains  and  dales 
Leaving  numbers  behind  them  * '  hung  '  *  f  at  hedges 

and  rails. 
That  the  thing  of  all  others  they  most  wished  to  see 
Jump  up  'mid  the  hounds  an  old  Reynard  would  be. 
That  hunting  the  hare  was  but  moderate  fun. 
And  they  very  much  wished  for  a  capital  run. 
Their  wish  was  soon  granted,  for  'ere  it  was  late, 
The  hounds  went  away  at  a  terrible  rate. 


*  Who  took  the  Bedale  in  1832.     At  this  date,  14  years  old. 
t  What  we  now  call  "  hung  up  "  i.e.  "  pounded." 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      25 


Such  a  time  they  kept  at  it,  and  such  was  the  speed 
They  quickly  discovered  a  fox,  t'was  indeed : 
Who  gallantly  leaving  the  woods  of  Thorp  Perrow,  | 
To  Watlass  he  sped,  with  the  speed  of  an  arrow. 
So  close  were  the  hounds  that  he  could  not  delay, 
But  over  Snape  Park  he  directed  his  way. 
Where  finding  the  pack  still  hard  at  his  brush 
He  lept  the  park  wall  with  a  terrible  "  rush." 
And  crossing  the  road  towards  Masham  proceeded; 
But  disliking  the  country,  or  perhaps  he  was  headed. 
Turning  short  to  the  left  came  to  Aldburgh  Hall, 
Thence  through  Binsoe  and  Peter  Wood  arrived  at 

Hackfall. 
Where  either  disdaining  the  earths  that  were  open, 
Or  feehng  his  strength  unimpared  and  unbroken, 
He  still  rattled  on,  'til  to  Tanfield  he  came, 
Tho'  dirty  and  draggled,  yet  his  pace  was  the  same 
iti  *  *  * 

Here  after  a  chase  of  two  hours  and  more 
The  hounds  they  were  stopped — what  a  terrible  bore. 
From  a  M.S.     H.  de  la  Poer  Beresford, 

1838. 

and  no  doubt  influenced  by  Lord  Darlington, 
he  kindly  stepped  into  his  father-in-law's 
**  southern  hunting  shoes.''* 

The  country  provided  some  subscription 
towards  the  expenses,  but  what  sum  I  am 
unable  to  ascertain. 

He  commenced  the  formation  of  his  pack 
of  hounds  by  purchasing  about  twenty 
couples  from  Scotland,  was  given  some  of 
the  ' '  Raby  ' '  hounds,  getting  in  addition 
other  drafts.     There  were  some  kennels  at 

X  Hounds  changed  from  a  hare  to  a  fox,  somewhere  between 
Firby  and  Thorp  Perrow,     No  one  knew  exactly  where. 

*  Mr.  Milbank  married  in  1817,  Lady  Augusta,  second  daughter 
of  William  Henry,  1st  Duke  of  Cleveland. 


26      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Thorp  Perrow,  and  there  his  pack  was  housed. 

Mr.  Milbank  kept  a  most  accurate  and 
interesting  hunting  diary,  from  which, 
thanks  to  the  courtesy  of  his  grandson.  Sir 
Powlett  Milbank,  Bart.,  I  am  able  most 
fully  to  quote.  In  addition  to  the  diary, 
he  kept  a  yearly  record  of  every  covert  drawn 
and  whether  a  fox  was  found  there  or  not, 
also  a  list  of  the  coverts  from  which  foxes 
were  killed,  a  method  which  he  no  doubt 
copied  from  Lord  Darlington,  who  had  done 
the  same.  At  this  date  there  were  many  more 
excellent  whin  coverts  in  the  country  than 
there  are  at  the  present  time  ;  in  all  of  which 
a  fox  was  almost  invariably  to  be  found  at 
all  periods  of  the  year. 

Mr.  Milbank  hunted  hounds  himself,  and 
had  George  Barwick  as  his  kennel  huntsman 
and  first  whipper-in,  and  Joe  Mason  as  his 
second.  The  former  had  been  with  Mr. 
Hanbury  until  he  gave  up  keeping  hounds, 
and  the  latter  had  been  Mr.  Milbank' s  second 
horseman  before  he  took  the  hounds. 

Neither  the  Master  or  his  servants  had  more 
than  one  horse  out  (with  very  rare  exceptions), 
although  a  great  deal  of  country  used  to  be 
covered  in  a  day  :  but  one  notices  on  reading 
through  the  record  of  twenty-four  seasons, 
that  if  there  was  a  very  high  wind,  if  it 
was  very  stormy  or  squally,  or  there  ap- 
peared to  be  no  scent,  hounds  were  taken 
home. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  trace^'any  Hound 
lists,   but   judging   from   the   number   taken 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      27 


out,  during  cub-hunting,  I  should  say  the 
pack   consisted  of  about   fifty  couples. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  his  Master- 
ship, Mr.  Milbank  generally  hunted  four 
days  a  week  after  the  end  of  November  ; 
and  usually  killed  a  May  fox.  In  the  months 
of  April  and  May,  he  chiefly  worked  the 
west  and  south-west  portions  of  the  country. 

During  his  twenty-four  years  he  averaged 
seventy-six  days'  hunting,  and  killed  twenty- 
one  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes  a  season.  The 
best  being  that  of  1834-5 — one  hundred 
days*  hunting,  thirty-six  and  a  half  brace 
of  foxes  ;  the  last  the  worst — fifty-six  days' 
hunting,  eight  and  a  half  brace. 

In  order  to  record  the  sport  shown  by  the 
Bedale  Hounds  during  the  first  half  of  last 
century,  I  propose  to  set  down  the  accounts 
of  one  or  two  good  runs  in  each  season. 
The  selection  has  been  difficult,  there  are 
many  I  should  like  to  include,  but  space 
forbids. 

The  first  advertised  meet  of  the  ' '  Bedale 
Foxhounds  ' '  was  held  at  Hackforth,  on 
the  22nd  October,  1832,  and  Colonel  Van 
Straubenzee  in  his  book,  *'  Recollections 
of  Sportsmen  and  Sport  in  days  of  yore," 
thus  describes  the  day's  proceedings: — 

' '  The  Hornby  Castle  coverts  were  drawn 
and  plenty  of  foxes  were  found.  So  numerous 
were  they  that  the  sport  was  not  great,  but 
if  Hornby  had  been  drawn  once  a  week  for 
the  season,  I  feel  sure  it  would  not  have 
been  blank.  Indeed  so  anxious  is  the  noble 
owner  to  have  foxes,  and  see  the  hounds  at 


28      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Hornby,  that  he  does  not  much  like  having 
them  killed.  '' 

1832—33.  14th  November.  Met  at  Hutton 
Bonville,  found  in  Colonel  Arden's  Planta- 
tions near  Entercommon,  and  broke  away 
to  the  north  for  a  few  fields,  then  turned  very 
short  back  to  the  left  and  ran  direct  to  Streat- 
1am  Whin,  leaving  the  covert  on  the  east  to 
Langton  Plantations,  round  Thrintoft  Whin 
and  back  to  Mr.  Masterman's  earths  ;  turning 
from  here  right  handed  nearly  to  Yafforth, 
crossed  the  Wiske,  and  leaving  Castle  Hills 
on  the  right  ran  up  to  the  Northallerton  and 
Darlington  road,  over  this,  and  ran  into  the 
fox  close  to  Brompton.  A  magnificent  run 
of  one  hour  and  three-quarters.  The  first 
hour,  up  wind,  at  a  most  severe  pace. 

Seventeen  couples  of  old,  three  couples  of 
young  hounds. 

25th  February.  Met  at  Wood  End.  Found 
in  Mr.  Crompton^s  Brick  Kiln  Plantation, 
away  at  once,  and  ran  direct  by  Busby 
Stoop  to  Carlton  Rush,  then  on  towards 
Topcliffe  Parks,  bore  left-handed  towards 
Sowerby,  then  right-handed  to  Sir  Thomas 
Frankland's  (Thirkleby  Park)  Lodge  gates, 
and  due  south  nearly  to  Raskelf,  turned 
short  back  from  here,  and  ran  into  the  fox 
about  twenty  yards  on  the  south  side 
of  Sessay  Wood.  A  most  beautiful  run  of 
two  hours  ten  minutes.  Fully  eleven  miles 
from  point  to  point.  Seventeen  couples  of 
old  hounds. 

4th  May.  Met  at  Garriston.  Found  in 
Lloyd's  Whin  (a  covert  somewhere  due  west 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      29 


of  Throstle  Gill),  and  after  a  very  quick  forty 
minutes,  killed  in  Throstle  Gill.  Fifteen 
couples  of  old  hounds,  six  couples  of  young 
ones.  Mr.  Milbank  notes  that  this  was  the 
hottest  and  yet  best  scenting  day  he  had 
ever  been  hunting  on. 

1833—4.  On  the  9th  November,  Mr. 
Milbank  notes :  ''  I  divided  the  pack,  having 
out  this  day  a  bitch  pack  of  sixteen  couples 
of  old  and  three  couples  of  young  hounds, 
which  pleased  me  very  much,  there  was 
some  capital  hunting,  and  they  overcame 
great  difficulties.'' 

11th  November.  Met  at  Catterick  Lime 
Kilns.  Having  run  one  fox  to  ground  from 
Gravel  Pit  Whin,  at  Hornby — went  back  there 
and  found  again  a  brace  of  foxes.  Away 
with  one  of  them  towards  Tunstall  Whin, 
and  on  to  Scotton  Whin,  leaving  this  on  the 
north,  direct  to  Newfound— England,  where 
being  headed  the  fox  came  back  to  Scotton 
Whin  ;  then  straight  to  Patrick  Brompton, 
through  the  gardens  of  the  Hall,  towards 
Crakehall,  crossed  the  Beck  by  Crakehall 
Mill  and  leaving  Burrill  on  the  right  ran  to 
Watlass  Whin.  From  here  across  to  War- 
rener's  Bottom,  when  a  fresh  fox  jumping 
up  within  view  of  hounds,  they  were  stopped. 
Two  hours  and  ten  minutes  of  a  most  excellent 
hunt. 

Fifteen  couples  of  old  and  four  couples  of 
young  dog  hounds. 

3rd  February.  Met  at  the  Salutation 
Inn.     Found  in  Langthorne  Plantation,  and 


30      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


ran  past  Hornby  Castle,  to  the  Kennel  Whin, 
from  there  direct  to  Hipswell  Woods,  where 
hounds  divided  ;  but  the  main  body  keeping 
on  to  the  run  fox  went  through  Iron  Banks, 
across  the  Richmond  Road  to  Hudswell  Scar, 
turning  back  from  here  down  the  valley, 
hounds  ran  into  him  at  Richmond  Bridge. 

One  hour  and  twenty  minutes.  Nineteen 
couples  of  hounds. 

On  the  10th  March,  a  rather  curious  fox 
was  found  in  Holme  Whin  and  killed  at 
Baldersby  village.  Both  hind  legs  were 
white  from  the  pad  to  the  hock. 

Mr.  Lane-Fox  of  Bramham  Park  was 
hunting  with  the  Bedale  that  day,  and  the 
two  pads  were  given  to  him — to  have  set 
up  as  handles  for  whips. 

A  May  fox  was  killed — from  Downholme 
Parks. 

1834—35.  14th  November.  Met  at  Pepper 
Hall.  Found  the  second  fox  at  Streatlam 
Whin,  and  ran  to  Little  Danby,  turning 
right-handed  from  here,  he  ran  past  Thrin- 
toft  Whin  and  village  nearly  up  to  Ainderby, 
Steeple  ;  turned  to  the  right,  crossing  the 
river  Swale  on  the  north  side  of  Morton  Bridge, 
up  to  Scruton  ;  through  Aiskew  Moor  Whin, 
over  the  road  near  Leeming  Mill  and  running 
up  the  banks  of  the  Beck,  was  killed  in  the 
water  near  Bedale  Mill. 

One  hour  and  twenty  minutes.  Eighteen 
couples  of  dog  hounds. 

The  fox  was  retrieved  from  the  water  by 
a  man  wading  into  the  Beck. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      31 


11th  February.  Met  at  Scorton.  After 
finding  a  fox  at  Moulton  Whin,  which  ran 
by  Scorton,  and  was  marked  to  ground  at 
Atlay  Hill,  a  second  fox  was  found  at  Uckerby 
Whin,  which  ran  past  the  village  of  Moulton 
up  to  the  North  Road,  being  headed  here 
he  turned  down  towards  Scorton  for  about 
two  miles,  but  making  his  point,  turned  to 
the  right  and  re-crossing  the  North  Road 
headed  straight  past  Skeeby  to  Easby,  crossed 
the  Swale  here  into  Colburn  Banks,  turned 
down  the  river  again  to  Brompton,  where 
the  river  was  again  crossed  ;  over  the  North 
Road  to  Moulton  Whin,  and  marked  him 
into  a  hollow  tree,  close  to  Uckerby  Whin. 
Axes  were  procured,  the  tree  was  split  open, 
and  the  fox  jumped  from  a  height  of  about 
twenty  feet  into  the  middle  of  the  hounds. 

Mr.  Milbank  remarks  * '  a  most  splendid 
run,  many  horses  quite  beat.  From  Uckerby 
to  Easby  one  hour  without  a  check  ;  from 
Colburn  Banks  to  the  hollow  tree,  fifty-three 
minutes  of  beautiful  hunting.'' 

It  is  recorded  that  twice  before  a  fox  had 
been  unaccountably  lost  near  here,  without 
the  hiding  place  being  discovered.  On  the 
9th  November,  1906,  a  somewhat  similar 
incident  took  place,  although  hounds  did 
not  run  their  fox  as  far.  Found  at  Uckerby 
Whin,  ran  sharp  down  to  Uckerby  village, 
then  up  to  Gatherley  Castle,  but  could  not 
get  forward  over  the  North  Road.  On  casting 
back,  his  line  was  hit  towards  Scorton,  and 
he  was  marked    into    a    hollow    tree    close 


32      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


to  Hunger  Riggs  Farm.  The  first  whipper- 
in  (P.  Farrelly)  was  sent  up  to  reconnoitre, 
and  when  asked  by  the  huntsman  at  the 
foot  of  the  tree  whether  he  could  see  anything, 
was  nearly  knocked  off  his  perch  by  the  fox 
— a  bob-tailed  one — jumping  out  of  the  tree 
in  his  face.     This  fox,  also,  was  killed. 

Foxes  are  often  lost  in  a  way  which  it 
seems  impossible  to  explain.  But  the  fol- 
lowing may  provide  an  answer  to  the  question 
in  some  cases. 

A  fox  found  at  Camp  Hill  had  been  hunted 
round  Horse  Close  Wood  by  Low  Park 
Wood  and  Well,  towards  Nosterfield ;  when 
hounds  suddenly  threw  up  their  heads  and 
nothing  more  could  be  done.  Some  men 
with  greyhounds  had  been  coursing,  and  their 
dogs  had  killed  the  fox,  which  they  hid. 
Some  schoolboys  who  had  seen  the  kill  came 
and  told.  The  fox  was  given  up — and  hounds 
had  their  blood. 

23rd  March.     Met  at  Camp  Hill. 

Found  in  Norton  Conyers  Whin,  crossed 
the  river  Yore  ;  ran  by  Sleningford,  up  to 
Mr.  Staveley's  Whin,  on  to  Kirkby  Malzeard, 
and  then  direct  over  the  moors  nearly  to 
Pateley  Bridge,  turning  right  handed  from 
here  this  stout  fox  came  northwards  into 
Druids'  Wood ;  took  another  turn  on  to 
the  Moor,  then  through  Hutt  Gill  into  Hack- 
fall,  where  hounds  were  stopped.  Three 
hours  and  ten  minutes.  It  is  not  surprising 
to  hear  that  many  horses  were  left  out  all 
night,  and  that  one  or  two  ' '  are  said  to  be 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      33 


dead."  Mr.  Milbank  and  his  servants  rode 
one  horse  each,  and  he  remarks  that  his 
horse  * '  FusiHer ' '  carried  him  well,  right  up 
to  the  end. 

3rd  April.  Met  at  Sawley  Hall.  Found 
in  Calf  Hall  Wood,  ran  past  the  Hall  in  the 
direction  of  Spa  Gill,  but  being  headed  near 
Sawley  village  turned  south  nearly  to  Brim- 
ham  Rocks,  then  bore  left-handed  by  Burnt 
Yates  village  straight  to  Ripley  Park  ;  crossed 
the  Park  and  ran  down  to  the  River 
Nidd,  turned  westward  from  this  point  and 
went  nearly  three  miles  parallel  to  the  river, 
bearing  up  to  Burnt  Yates  village  ;  being 
headed  here  he  turned  down  the  river  again, 
and  after  going  about  four  miles  further  west 
hounds  ran  into  this  gallant  fox  at  the  south 
end  of  Braisty  Wood.*  Hunted  for  two 
hours  and  fifty  minutes,  and  covered  about 
twenty-three  miles. 

4th  May.     Killed  a  fox  from  Hudswell. 

1835—36.  On  the  30th  October,  the  2nd 
whipper-in  (Joe  Mason)  was  sent  on  a  quaint 
errand. 

On  the  way  home  from  hunting,  the  Union 
Coach  was  standing  on  the  Leeming  Lane, 
near  Leeming  Bridge,  and  the  passengers 
were  crying  out  ''Stop  thief.''  Joe  was 
sent  to  inquire  what  the  disturbance  was, 
and  give  assistance  if  necessary. 

It  was  found  that  a  prisoner,  who  had  been 
taken  up  for  robbing  Colonel  Coore's  pigeon- 


*  Braisty  Wood  is  on  the  north  side  of  Summer  Bridge. 


34      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


cote  had  escaped  from  the  roof  of  the  coach. 
Joe  set  off  in  pursuit,  and  after  going  some- 
what over  a  mile  overtook  and  collared  the 
man,  who  turned  on  him  with  the  words 
'*Dam  thy  red  coat/' 

On  the  5th  December,  when  drawing 
Nomans  Moor,  the  hounds  were  joined  by  a 
pack  of  harriers,  concerning  which  incident 
Mr.  Milbank  writes  : — 

' '  Was  much  annoyed  by  a  pack  of  harriers 
joining  us  while  running  in  covert,  this  was 
the  more  vexatious  as  Mr.  Chaytor  the  owner 
of  the  harriers  must,  or  ought  to  have  known, 
that  we  were  to  be  on  Nomans  Moor.*' 

On  the  16th  December,  we  met  at  Haux- 
well  Hall.  Found  in  the  Park  at  Burton 
Constable,  away  past  the  Hall  to  Beggarmire 
Wood,  turned  short  back  from  here  outside 
the  Park,  across  to  Forty  Acres ;  through 
the  Wood  and  northwards,  leaving  Barden 
village  on  the  right  to  the  Halfpenny  House 
and  Tunstall  road ;  turned  eastwards  and 
keeping  parallel  to  the  road  ran  direct  to 
Thornhills  Whin.  Through  this  without  a 
check  down  to  Gravel  Pit  Whin,  by  Hornby 
Castle,  across  the  Park  to  Goskins,  over 
the  Leeming  Lane  down  to  Killerby;  being 
headed  here,  he  turned  up  the  Swale  banks 
past  Oran,  and  was  killed  at  the  Castle  Hills, 
after  a  magnificent  run  of  two  hours  and 
twenty  minutes. 

4th  March.  Met  at  Catterick  Bridge. 
Found  in  Tunstall  Whin,  ran  down  to  Scotton 
village,    past    Scotton    Whin,   then    turned 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      35 


right-handed  into  the  West  Wood,  at  Hips- 
well,  ran  up  Throstle  Gill  into  the  east  end 
of  Hudswell  Banks  ;  crossed  the  river  Swale 
under  the  Priory  garden,  up  the  hill  above 
Richmond,  past  the  east  end  of  the  racecourse, 
down  the  hill  towards  Aske,  and  hounds  ran 
into  their  fox  one  hundred  yards  before  he 
reached  the  Aske  Plantations,  after  a  briUiant 
run  of  one  hour  seven  minutes. 

1836—37.  13th  December.  Met  at  Scor- 
ton.  After  some  hunting  about  Pepper  Arden 
and  kilHng  a  fox  at  Streatlam  Whin,  went 
away  at  once  with  a  second  from  the  Whin 
direct  to  Masterman's  Plantations,  down  to 
Yafforth  village,  on  towards  Warlaby,  crossed 
the  Wiske  at  Warlaby  Bridge,  then  towards 
Northallerton,  through  Mr.  Dent's  Planta- 
tions, into  CotcHffe  Woods  in  the  Hurworth 
country  ;  where  luckily,  hounds  were  stopped. 

A  splendid  run  of  one  hour  and  twenty 
minutes,  being  twelve  miles  from  Streatlam 
to  Cotcliffe  as  the  crow  flies. 

Mr.  Milbank  and  his  servants  only  had 
one  horse  each  for  this  hard  day. 

14th  April.     Met  at  Grewelthorpe. 

Found  in  Spring  Wood  (near  Sleningford), 
ran  down  to  North  Stainley,  then  turning 
to  the  right  came  across  into  Hollin  Head 
Wood,  through  it  past  Toad's  Hole,  towards 
Galphray  ;  turned  short  to  the  left  over  the 
head  of  Laver  Banks,  down  to  the  west  side 
of  Studley  Park  wall,  ran  down  the  wall  side 
to  Fountains  Abbey,  crossed  the  Pleasure 
grounds,   over   How   Hill   direct   to   Studley 


36      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Hall ;  ran  through  the  gardens  there,  then 
turned  to  the  right  into  Spa  Gill  where  the 
fox  got  to  ground  after  a  magnificent  hunt 
of  two  hours  and  ten  minutes  ;  the  last  hour 
of  which  the  pace  was  very  severe. 

2nd  May.  Killed  a  fox  from  Halfpenny 
House. 

1837 — 38.  To  commence  an  account  of 
this  season,  I  cannot,  I  think,  do  better  than 
give  the  poem  written  by  the  Reverend  John 
Monson,  who  was  Rector  of  Bedale  from 
1797  to  1843.  He  was  an  excellent  sports- 
man and  very  hard  rider,  and  Lord  Dar- 
lington in  one  of  his  hunting  diaries  writes : 
* '  I  cannot  omit  to  mention  that  the  Reverend 
John  Monson  shone  as  conspicuously  this 
day  on  his  grey  mare  as  in  the  pulpit,  and 
was  alone  with  hounds  over  Ainderby  Mires, 
when  they  killed  at  Thornhills  Willo-bed.'* 

The  poem  mentions  most  of  those  who  at 
the  time  were  regular  followers  with  the 
Bedale  Hounds. 

Here's  to  the  oid  ones  of  fox-hunting  fame — 
Cleveland,  Ralph  Lambton,  and  Harewood. 

Here's  to  the  young  ones  that  after  them  came 
Who  will  not  say  that  they  are  good. 

Here's  to  the  Master^  well  skilled  in  the  art 

To  kill  an  old  fox  in  all  weather. 
Here's  to  the  riders  all  ready  to  start, 

Brilliant  in  boots  and  in  leathers. 

Here's  to  the  hounds  all  vigour  and  bone, 
In  condition  excelling  all  others. 

1     Mr.  Mark  Milbank. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      37 


Here/s  to  old  Barwick^  who  stands  quite  alone 
In  cheering  them  on  through  the  coverts. 

Here's  to  the  sportsmen,  I  give  you  each  name. 
Their  facts  and  their  fortunes  in  detail ; 

North  Riding  heroes  all  eager  for  fame 
To  be  reaped  in  the  country  of  Bedale. 

On  Borderer^  mounted  see  Milbank  ride, 
Three  hundred  won't  buy  such  a  horse,  sir ; 

Limbs  with  no  check  to  their  freedom  of  stride  ; 
Wind,  without  whistle  or  cough,  sir. 

Tally-ho  !  '  Toot-a-Toot^ '  he  is  gone  said  the  squire, 
Let  any  one  catch  them  who  can,  sir ; 

Who  rides  with  my  hounds  a  good  horse  will  require, 
And  himself,  he  must  be  a  good  man,  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Duke^  if  he  leads  not,  still  Leeds 
(To  borrow  a  joke  from  his  Grace,  sir) ; 

A  nobleman  true,  both  in  words  and  in  deeds, 
And  the  firmest  support  of  the  chase,  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Graham,^  who  does  not  disdain 
In  a  north  country  province  to  ride,  sir  ; 

Forgetting  that  once  through  the  Leicestershire  plain 
Scarce  a  rival  could  live  by  his  side,  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Colonel,'^  if  warm  be  his  name 
Both  that  and  his  heart  go  together ; 

In  pleasant  discourse  while  we  ride  down  the  lane. 
Let  us  be  in  no  hurry  to  sever. 

2  George  Barwick,  First  Whipper-in  and  Kennel  Huntsman. 

3  Mr.  Milbank  first  rode  this  horse  in  1835. 

4  Mr.  Milbank  used  a  very  sharp  note  on  his  horn  for  "  gone 

away." 

5  The  6th  Duke  of  Leeds  was  not  a  very  hard  rider. 

6  Sir  Bellingham  Graham,  Bart.,  Master  of  the  Pytchley  1820- 

21.  of  the  Quorn  1821-23. 

7  Colonel  Pepper  Arden,  of  Pepper  Hall. 


38       The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Here's  to  friend  George,^  the  beau  of  Camp  Hill, 
A  good  one  if  fast  be  the  chase,  sir  | 

To  pass  him  I  tell  you  requires  as  much  skill 
As  Fieschi,^  when  he  won  the  race,  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Baron  of  Sawley,^^  so  sly, 
Here's  to  the  horse  that  is  black,  sir — 

Forgetting  that  always  a  crow  cannot  fly, 
He  fell  o'er  a  fence  on  his  back,  sir. 

Here's  to  Straubenzee^^  the  dashing  and  bold, 
Taking  all  in  his  stroke  like  a  man,  sir  ; 

And  the  pith  of  the  story  remains  to  be  told. 
You  can't  shake  him  off  from  the  "Van,"  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Major,^^  the  gallant  and  true. 
In  riding,  to  no  one  he'll  yield,  sir  ; 

See,  he  brings  by  his  side  a  young  damseP^  in  view 
To  beat  half  the  men  in  the  field,  sir. 

Here's  to  the  Dundas's^^  both  Thomas  and  John, 
They  come  but  to  make  us  remember 

How  short  is  their  stay,  for  to  London  they're  gone 
'Ere  the  end  of  the  month  of  November. 

Here's  to  the  young  ones,  whose  race  scarce  begun, 
Young  Mark,   and  the  ensign, ^^  his  brother ; 

They  show  of  a  stock,  most  goodly  they  come 
As  they  tread  in  the  steps  of  their  father. 

8  Mr  George  Sergeantson,  who  was  not  very  particular  as  to 
his  "  turn  out." 

9  A  horse  belonging  to  Mr.  Wormald,  of  Sawley  Hall. 
10  Mr.  Wormald,  and  a  horse  he  rode  called  "  The  Crow." 

12  Mr.  Van  H.  Straubenzee,  of  Spennithorne. 

13  Major  Healey  lived  at  Middleton-Tyas. 

14  Miss  Milbank. 

15  Sons  of  the  1st  Lord  Zetland,  Members  of  Parliament  for 
Richmond  and  York. 

16  Mr.  Mark  Milbank  (Scots  Greys),  Mr.  Frederick  Milbank 
(79th  Highlanders,  afterwards  Sir  F.  Milbank,  Bart.),  sons 
of  the  Master. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      39 


The  gallant,  the  ardent,  of  promise  so  fair, 
The  Beresford^^  Brothers  they  bring; 

A  word  from  my  pen  must  give  them  their  share 
Of  the  honours  and  glories  I  sing. 

Many  good  ones  remain,  Hodgson,^^  Crompton  and 
Tower, 

Fox,''  Ward,  and  the  young  one  from  Norton  ; 
But  to  mention  them  all,  it  is  not  in  my  power. 

So  surely  it  cannot  be  thought  on. 

Here's  a  bumper  to  Milbank,  the  source  of  our  sport, 
A  bumper  to  him  and  his  hounds,  sir  ; 

Brimful  it  shall  be  of  the  finest  old  port, 

Where  health  and  good  humour  abound,  sir. 

The  following  verse  was  added  by  another  pen,  to  per- 
petuate the  memory  of  one  of  Mr.  Mtlbank  s  keen 
supporters. 

*'  And  here's  to  the  squire  of  Thirsk,  Jack  Bell, 
Who  supports  both  the  chase  and  the  turf,  sir  ; 
He  will  not  unless  he  likes  it,  go  well,  ^  ^ 

Tho'  the  hounds  may  run  ever  so  fast,  sir. 

The  following  story  about  Mr.  Bell  pro- 
bably provided  the  reason  for  the  last  two 
lines  of  this  verse.  One  day  he  was  riding  a 
horse  that  rather  rushed  at  its  fences,  and 
coming  to  a  brook,  he  dismounted.  When 
asked  why  he  had  done  so,  he  replied  ''Thank 
God  in  this  land  of  liberty,^  I  need  not  ride 
over  a  brook  unless  I  like  it.' ' 


17  Sir  John  Beresford,  Bart.,  and  his  son  The  Rev.  John 
George,  Rector  of  Bedale,  1861-99. 

18  Tohn  Hodgson  of  Breckamore,  Joshua  S  Crompton  of 
Azerley  Chase,  Colonel  Tower  lived  at  Hutton  Bonville. 
Master  of  the  South  Durham  Hounds.  1844-52. 

19  Sackville  Lane-Fox.  third  son  of  James  Lane-Fox,  of  Bram- 
ham,  married  a  daughter  of  the  6th  Duke  of  Leeds. 


40      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


1837 — 38.  This  was  not  a  very  good 
season,  and  there  is  no  run  of  any  special 
merit  to  mention.  Hounds  were  stopped  by 
frost  for  nine  successive  weeks,  from  5th 
January  to  the  first  week  in  March.  A 
May  fox  was  killed  on  the  7th  of  the  month, 
from  S  win  ton. 

1838—39.  21st  November.  Met  at  Blows 
Hall.  Found  in  the  new  Whin  at  Norton 
Conyers,  ran  a  ring  by  the  old  Whin  back  to 
the  new  Whin,  then  crossed  the  river  Yore 
opposite  to  Plaister  Pits  covert,  direct  to 
Breckamore,  then  bore  right-handed  through 
Spring  Wood  and  Thieves  Gill  to  Azerley  ; 
bore  left-handed  from  here  into  Laver  banks, 
up  them  into  Winksley  banks,  passed  Galphay 
village,  and  turning  right-handed  ran  the 
fox  to  ground  in  Hackfall  after  a  beautiful 
hunt  of  two  hours. 

10th  December.  Met  at  Kiplin.  Found 
in  Streatlam  Whin,  and  ran  south  by  Danby 
Hill  to  Masterman's  Plantations,  across  the 
Wiske,  direct  to  Northallerton  without  a 
check.  Here  the  fox  was  a  good  deal  headed, 
and  turning  north,  hounds  hunted  up  to 
Deighton,  and  into  Deighton  Plantations. 
He  had  probably  waited  here,  as  from  this 
point  the  pace  increased  and  they  ran  very 
fast  up  to  Hornby  Grange  ;  from  here  to  the 
east  end  of  Beverley  Wood,  and  on  to  Girsby 
Wood,  where  hounds  pulled  their  fox  down 
after  a  brilliant  run  of  two  hours.  The  dis- 
tance being  five  miles  from  Streatlam  to 
Northallerton,  twelve  from  Northallerton  to 
Girsby. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      41 


1839—40.  15th  January.  Met  at  York 
Gate.  After  a  nice  gallop  in  the  morning 
from  Baldersby  Whin,  by  Ainderby  Quernhow 
and  Pickhill,  ran  to  ground  in  the  Swale 
banks  by  Maunby  ferry.  Found  a  fox  in 
the  Lad^^'s  Gorse  at  Norton  Conyers  which 
ran  down  the  river,  then  turned  across  the 
Park  by  the  Wath  Lodge  direct  to  Hutton 
Moor  Whin  at  a  great  pace,  through  the  Whin 
across  the  Leeming  Lane,  down  to  Rainton 
and  on  to  Azenby,  crossed  the  river  Swale 
just  below  Topcliite,  and  after  making  a  ring 
round  that  village,  went  over  Carlton  Moor, 
skirting  the  whin  covert,  through  Carlton 
Rush,  leaving  Busby  Stoop  on  the  left,  direct 
to  Breckenborough  ;  where  hounds  ran  gal- 
lantly into  him,  in  the  middle  of  the  Park, 
after  a  fine  run  of  two  and  a  quarter  hours. 

1st   April.     Met   at   Bellerby. 

Found  at  Newfound-England,  and  ran 
west  over  Barden  and  Hauxwell  Moors,  to 
the  Gill  due  north  of  Thornhill's  Whin  ;  turned 
at  the  Scotton  Road  to  the  south,  and  went 
nearly  down  to  Hunton  Mill,  headed  short 
back  to  the  left  from  here,  and  leaving  Aller- 
thorp  (Arrathorne  ?)  and  Sandholes  Whin  on 
the  right,  went  due  north  over  Tunstall  Moor 
to  Colburn  village,  down  to,  and  across  the 
Swale ;  and  running  from  scent  to  view 
killed  the  fox  on  the  north-west  side  of  Bromp- 
ton-on-Swale,  after  a  magnificent  run  of  one 
and  three-quarter  hours.  Mr.  Milbank  was 
not  out  hunting  this  day.  He  remarks 
'*  My  loss  was  therefore  very  great.*' 

Although    the    following    rules    were    not 


42      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


written  by  Mr.  Milbank,  for  the  edification 
of  his  field,  they  are  so  well  worth  repro- 
ducing that,  as  chronologically  they  fit  in  at 
this  period,  I  include  them. 

A  copy  of  them  was  found  by  me  in 
the  Orderly  Room  of  the  2nd  West  York 
Yeomanry  Cavalry,  when  I  was  Adjutant  of 
that   Regiment. 

They  were  in  the  midst  of  a  lot  of  Horse 
Guards  and  War  Office  letters  and  regulations, 
and  I  am  bound  to  confess  that  the  rules  for 
the  ' '  chase  ' '  interested  me  more  than  those 
for  '*  war.'' 

They  were,  it  is  believed,  circulated 
amongst  the  field  of  the  ''Four  Burrow" 
country  by  Mr.  W.  Daubuz,  who  was  Master 
of  these  hounds  between  1840  and  1854. 

From  the  number  of  seventeen  I  extract 
a  few,  which  may  well  be  borne  in  mind  by 
all  who  hunt.  Although  some  years  old,  I 
think  the  rules  retain  their  more  than  pris- 
tine virtue. 

SOME     RULES     OF    ADVICE,     AS 
CONCERNS     HUNTING. 


To  all  Western  sporters,  greeting : 

For  this  Cornwall  is  a  ticklish  hunting  ground. 

3.  To  all  who  ride  to  meet  with  the  hounds.  Take 
especial  care  not  to  ride  over  them  :  take  care  of 
their  precious  feet.  Do  not  talk  to  the  Huntsman 
or  Whipper. 

6.  Lords,  Gentlemen,  and  Yeomen.  —  When  the 
hounds  are  drawing  a  covert  keep  together  in 
one  place  :  do  not  talk,  do  not  laugh,  above  all 
things,  Aristocrats,  Democrats,  Whigs,  Radicals, 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     43 


Tories,  for  heaven's  sake  do  not  whistle;    that 

whistling  creates  bitter  confusion 

When  you  hear  a  hound  challenge,  do  not  sing 
out  "  huic  huic,"  which  is  your  custom.  If  you 
think  the  Huntsman  does  not  hear  the  challenge, 
go  quietly  and  quickly  to  him,  and  tell  him,  then 
allow  him  to  cheer  the  challenger,  do  not  add 
your  voices 

7.  The  fox  has  broken  covert,  you  see  him.  Gentle- 
men, Gentlemen,  do  not  roar  out  ''tally-ho," 
do  not  screech  horribly.  If  you  do  he  will  turn 
back,  even  under  your  horses'  feet  in  spite  of  the 
sad  and  disappointed  look  on  your  handsome  or 
ugly  faces.  Do  not  crack  your  infernal  whips. 
Be  silent. 

9.  If  the  chase  runs  the  road — Gentlemen,  allow  the 
Huntsman  to  take  the  lead.  You  must  be  par- 
ticularly careful  in  the  roads  and  lanes ;  they 
are  the  devil,  and  spoil  many  a  good  chase. 

11.  Gentlemen,  when  the  Huntsman  is  making  a 
cast,  sit  quietly  and  sedately  on  your  horses,  do 
not   ride   after   him 

12.  Hounds  have  mended  the  fault,  they  are  going 
again,  but  the  scent  is  not  so  good.  Gentlemen, 
give  them  room. 

The  scent  mends,  dead  beat  the  fox  gains  a  small 
covert.  Now,  Gentlemen,  be  not  rash,  do  not 
holloa — do  not  meet  him  in  ride  or  path.  I  once 
unwittingly  saved  the  life  of  a  fox  when  Mr. 
Bulteel's  hounds  were  in  the  very  act  of  catching 
him. 

He  ran  under  my  horse,  in  another  moment 
hounds  would  have  had  him.  I  roared  most 
lustily.  The  hounds  stopped  one  moment,  to 
ask  me  what  the  devil  I  made  such  a  noise  about, 
that  half  minute's  check  saved  the  fox's  life. 
(Author's  note.  If  in  any  doubt  whatever, 
**  Never  holloa.") 

13.  Who-whoop.  'Triumph' has  him.  Tear  him  and 
eat  him,  my  beauties.  Yet  even  in  this  last  act,  so 


44      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


very  delightful  after  a  good  run  to  bloodthirsty 
hounds,  and  screaming  men  ;  take  care — keep 
your  panting  steeds  away  from  the  **  melee," 
or  they  will  cripple  their  fellow  steeds  (let  alone 
the  brush  and  pad  seizers),  and  kick  the  hounds, 
and  may-be  occasion  more  deaths  than  one. 
17.  Go  out  in  the  morning  with  a  sunny  countenance. 
Whilst  out,  keep  your  temper — rather  a  difficult 
matter  sometimes.  Never  quit  until  the  hounds 
do.  Go  home  ;  dine,  enjoy  your  life  :  do  not  get 
drunk,  then  you  will  be  as  fresh  as  roses  next 
morning,  and  not  as  seedy  as  old  cucumbers. 

1840 — 41.  During  this  and  the  three  follow- 
ing seasons,  Mr.  Milbank  hunted  a  portion  of 
the  Raby  Country  north  of  the  Swale,  and 
he  records  in  his  diary  drawing  the  following 
coverts. 

Allan's  Whin,  Gilling  Woods,  Halnaby 
Woods,  Hartforth  Woods,  Middleton  Lodge 
coverts,  Middleton-Tyas  coverts,  Stapleton 
Whin  and  Sedbury  Woods.  It  was  at  the  end 
of  the  season  1839—40,  that  the  1st  Duke 
of  Cleveland  gave  up,  and  sold  his  hounds, 
and  it  is  probable  that  Henry,  the  2nd 
Duke,  had  not  got  his  hunting  arrangements 
into  full  working  order  before  the  beginning 
of  the  season  1844 — 5. 

17th  February.  Met  at  York  Gate.  Found 
at  Baldersby  Whin,  and  ran  at  a  great  pace 
to  Norton  Conyers,  where  there  was  a  serious 
check,  as  the  hounds  were  unable  to  get  over 
the  Park  wall ;  however,  the  line  was  hit  off 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Park,  and  they  ran 
round  Hutton  Conyers  to  Sharow,  past  Copt 
Hewick  to  Martin-le-Moor ;    from  there  past 


w- 

greai  Smeaton. 


•fiorthaUizrCon . 


Thirsh. 


I  PaCe/et/ 
Bridge 


1342.. 


'X'      Thz  Kevnzli. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      45 


the  Harrier  Kennels,  nearly  to  Boroughbridge, 
and  following  the  banks  of  the  Yore  for  about 
a  mile,  killed  their  fox  in  the  river.  He  un- 
fortunately sank,  and  hounds  lost  their  well- 
earned  reward.  One  and  three  quarter  hours. 
The  points  being  three  and  a  half  miles  from 
Baldersby  to  Norton  Conyers,  eight  miles 
from  there  to  Boroughbridge. 

2nd  April.  Met  at  Thornborough  Bar. 
Found  in  Horse  Close  Wood,  and  ran  over 
Thornbrough  Moor  direct  to  Norton  Conyers  ; 
through  the  old  Whin,  across  the  Park  up 
to  Hutton  Conyers,  turned  northwards  from 
here  by  Melmerby  Wood,  across  the  Leeming 
Lane  nearly  to  Rainton  ;  bore  right-handed 
from  here  to  near  Dishforth,  then  again 
to  the  left ;  and  owing  to  some  very  dry 
fallows,  hounds  were  run  out  of  scent  close 
to  Leckby  Carr.     Two  and  a  half  hours. 

1841—42.  14th  April.  Met  at  Hartforth. 
Found  in  the  Wood,  and  after  running  over 
Aske  Moor  to  Whitley  Scar,  up  to  Apple- 
garth,  to  Clinty  Scar,  by  Helwith  pointing 
for  Marrick,  turned  over  the  Moor  to  the 
Obelisk  in  Marske  Park.  From  here  hounds 
crossed  the  river  Swale,  into  Downholme 
Scar,  but  Mr.  Milbank  stopped  them,  as  they 
had  been  hunting  for  three  hours  and  he 
was  short  of  a  good  many  hounds,  which, 
however,  he  got  together  before  his  return 
to  kennel. 

1842—43.  24th  October.  On  this  date 
hounds  killed  two  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes. 
One  brace  from  Solberg,  after  short  scurries ; 


46      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


one  brace  from  Scruton,  and  the  fifth  from 
near  Kirkby  Fleetham,  the  latter  being 
pulled  down  near  Morton  Bridge,  having 
crossed  the  Swale,  and  gone  up  to  Thrintoft 
village. 

Mr.  Milbank  remarks  ' '  I  never  in  my 
experience  ever  remember  killing  five  foxes 
in  one  day  before  ;  which  would  certainly 
be  too  many  in  most  parts  of  the  country,  but 
we  left  plenty,  both  at  Solberg  and  Scruton. 

11th  November.  Met  at  Middleton-Tyas. 
Found  in  the  Plantations  there,  and  running 
by  the  Quarry  ''earths,''  went  direct  to 
Uckerby  Whin,  where  hounds  killed  their  fox. 
Before  they  had  time  to  break  it  up,  away 
with  another  on  the  north  east  side,  by  North 
Cowton  village,  over  the  railway  to  the  end 
of  Beverley  Wood ;  took  a  big  turn  up  the 
river  Tees  towards  Neasham,  turned  back 
and  killed  the  fox  near  Entercommon,  after 
a  splendid  run  of  one  and  a  half  hours. 

14th  December.  Met  at  Butcher  Bar. 
Found  in  Chaplin's  Whin,  across  to  Low  Park 
Wood,  and  leaving  it  on  the  left  turned  up 
to  Holly  Hill,  and  ran  up  Snape  Park 
wall  (The  Belts)  to  Binsoe  Lane.  Then  past 
Binsoe  village  down  to  Aldburgh  ;  crossed 
the  river  Yore,  and  ran  straight  on  to  the 
north  end  of  Nutwith  Common,  bore  back 
towards  Hackfall,  then  again  on  to  Nutwith 
Common,  into  Hutt's  Gill,  across  it  on  to 
the  moors  again,  and  turning  northwards, 
hounds  had  to  be  stopped  as  it  was  nearly 
dark.     A  very  fast  run,  and  a  ten  mile  point. 


The  Bedale  Hounds.  1832-1908      47 


On  the  17th  December  at  the  Annual  Hunt 
Dinner,  held  at  the  Black  Swan,  Bedale, 
at  which  forty  members  were  present,  an 
oil  painting  of  the  ' '  Bedale  Hunt  ' '  was 
presented  to  Mr.  Milbank,  subscribed  for  by 
members  of  the  Hunt  and  other  gentlemen. 
The  presentation  being  made  by  the  Duke 
of  Leeds. 

The  picture  includes  about  one  hundred 
portraits,  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
his  grandson,  Sir  P.  Milbank,  Bart.,  at 
Norton  Manor,  Radnorshire.  The  painting 
of  the  same  came  about  in  rather  an  odd  way, 
and  is  worth  mention. 

Mr.  Orde,  of  Nunnykirk,  near  Morpeth, 
who  was  owner  of  the  celebrated  race-horse 
'  Beeswing,'  wished  to  have  a  picture 
painted  of  the  mare*  ;  and  sent  an  artist 
called  Anson  A.  Martin  up  to  Middleham 
(where  the  mare  was  in  training),  to  execute 
the  work.  A  member  of  the  Hunt,  hearing 
how  well  he  had  succeeded,  commissioned 
him  to  paint  a  picture  of  himself,  with  a 
favourite  pony  and  two  setters. 

While  sitting  for  this,  conversation  turned 
upon  Sir  Francis  Grant's  painting  of  the 
'*Meet  at  Melton,"  and  Mr.  Martin  ex- 
pressed his  great  wish  to  paint  one  of  the 
same  description.  A  price  was  agreed  upon, 
and  it  was  decided  to  see  whether  the  object 
could  be  carried  out. 

So  ready  was  Mr.  Milbank' s  ''field"  to 

*  Beeswing,  by  Dr.  Syntax,  foaled   1833.     Finished  her  racing 
career  by  winning  the  Doncaster  Cup,  1842. 


48      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


mark  their  high  appreciation  of  the  sport  he 
had  shewn,  and  how  great  was  his  popularity, 
that  within  ten  days  the  necessary  sum  of 
money  was  easily  collected,  and  the  order 
for  the  picture  was  given. 

Quaintly  enough,  as  one  brother  set  his 
hand  to  perpetuate  the  present  and  recall 
the  past — in  oils  ;  another  of  the  family, 
Jonathan — who  must  have  been  somewhat 
crazy — set  his,  by  fire,  to  do  the  reverse. 
He  was  much  annoyed  with  the  organ  in 
York  Minster,  as  he  fancied  it  '*  buzzed  *'  at 
him.  So,  on  February  2nd,  1827,  he  secreted 
himself  in  the  Minster,  and  making  three 
piles  of  books,  one  in  the  Throne,  one  in  the 
Organ  loft,  and  one  in  the  Pulpit,  set  fire  to 
them  and  escaped  through  the  window  of 
the  North  Transept.  The  damage  was  con- 
siderable, the  Organ  stalls  and  the  roof  of 
the  Choir  being  destroyed.  Towards  the  cost 
of  restoration,  which  was  completed  in  1832, 
;;f65,000  was  raised  by  subscription,  and 
£5,000  worth  of  Teak  wood  was  granted 
from  the  Royal  Dockyards. 

All  those  who  figure  in  the  picture  have 
now  joined  the  '*  great  majority,'*  and  I 
believe  the  last  survivors  were  Sir  Frederick 
Milbank,  of  Thorp  Perrow,  who  died  in  1898, 
and  the  Rev.  John  Beresford,  Rector  of 
Bedale,  who  died  in  1899.  Mr.  Milbank  is 
riding  a  horse  called  '*  Bribery,''  which  he 
bought  from  Mr.  Morley,  of  Dishforth,  He 
rode  it  for  many  seasons  without  it  giving 
him  a  single  fall.     The  hounds  immediately 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832>1908      49 


around  him  are  *  Boaster/  '  Brasher,' 
'  Carohne,'  '  Margery,'  '  Restless,'  and 
'  Sailor.' 

1843—44.  On  the  2nd  December,  Mr. 
Milbank  writes  in  his  diary,  ' '  On  this  day  my 
poor  huntsman,  George  Barwick,  destroyed 
himself  by  drowning  in  the  Fish  Pond  at 
Thorp  Perrow.  He  had  been  remarked  by 
his  family  to  be  in  low  spirits  for  some  time, 
and  strange  to  say,  laboured  under  the 
delusion  that  all  the  bitches  in  the  Kennel 
were  in  whelp.  This  with  other  strange 
fancies  so  preyed  upon  his  mind,  that  in  a 
temporary  fit  of  insanity  he  drowned  him- 
self. The  shock  to  myself  was  very  great, 
as  it  was  my  unfortunate  lot  to  find  the  poor 
fellow  in  the  pond.  By  this  sad  act  I  have 
lost  an  honest,  upright  and  truly  praiseworthy 
servant,  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  country 
an  able  and  intelligent  huntsman." 

For  the  remainder  of  this  season  Mr.  Mil- 
bank  hunted  hounds  himself. 

On  the  1st  January  there  was  rather  an 
exciting  and  amusing  finish  to  a  hunt  from 
Sir  E.  Dodsworth's  New  Whin  at  Watlass. 
Having  run  by  Watlass  Church,  Clifton 
Castle,  and  back  to  Burrill ;  the  fox  went 
into  the  pleasure  grounds  at  Thorp  Perrow, 
and  got  onto  a  wall  close  to  the  dairy ;  the 
roof  of  which  he  crossed,  went  over  the  office, 
and  on  to  the  top  of  the  kitchen,  and  jumped 
from  here,  a  distance  of  nearly  sixty  feet,  to 
the  ground.  Hounds  were  quickly  taken 
round,  and  the  fox  was  killed  in  the  stable 
yard. 


50      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Another  rather  curious  incident  happened 
on  the  31st  January.  A  fox,  found  in  a 
willow-bed  opposite  Maunby,  jumped  into 
the  river  Swale,  with  two  hounds,  'Thunderer' 
and  'Beauty,'  close  at  him.  They  fought  to 
the  middle  of  the  stream,  when  the  fox  was 
killed,  and  '  Beauty '  swam  with  him  in  her 
mouth  to  the  opposite  side,  and  pulled  him 
up  on  the  bank. 

13th  March.  Met  at  Busby  Stoop.  Found 
in  Morley's  Whin,  ran  across  nearly  to  Leckby 
Carr,  past  Cundall  and  Humburton,  down 
to  Myton  pastures,  and  nearly  up  to  Borough- 
bridge,  where  he  crossed  the  river,  and 
hounds  went  over  before  they  could  be 
stopped.  The  servants  were  sent  on  to  get 
to  them,  and  caught  them  close  to  Copgrove. 
Hounds  did  not  reach  kennel  till  9  p.m. 

1844—45.*  4th  December.  Met  at  Wat- 
lass.  Found  near  Sir  E.  Dodsworth's  Whin 
and  ran  straight  to  Marriforth  Wood,  crossed 
the  river  at  Kilgram  Bridge,  and  direct  to 
High  Ellington  ;  after  a  slight  check  here, 
on  to  Fearby,  then  westwards  to  GoUinglith 
Foot,  and  turning  south  ran  over  Sourmire, 
by  Pott  Hall,  into  Nidderdale  ;  marking  the 
fox  to  ground  at  Sype-Land  Crags  (which  is 
above  Lofthouses)  after  a  splendid  run  of 
seventeen  miles,  and  quite  ten  miles  from 
point  to  point. 

1845—46.  9th  January.  Met  at  Pepper 
Hall.     After   killing   a   fox   from   here,    and 

*  This  se£ison,  George  Cross  took    Barwick's  place   as  First 
Whipper-in  and  Kennel  Huntsman. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      51 


losing  another,  found  at  Hut  ton  Bonville,  near 
Kiplin  ;  hounds  went  back  to  Hutton  Bon- 
ville. Found  again  at  once,  and  went 
a  great  pace  past  Deighton  Whin,  near 
Hornby  Grange,  to  Smeaton  Bridge  ;  turned 
from  here  direct  by  Birkby  towards  Pepper 
Hall,  leaving  the  house  to  the  left  over  the 
Bottoms,  between  North  and  East  Cowton, 
due  north.  The  fox  was  headed  by  the  work- 
people on  the  new  Richmond  and  Dar- 
lington Railway,  and  had  to  bend  off  east- 
ward, but  making  his  point  he  headed  for 
Dalton  Wood,  and  hounds  ran  into  him  one 
hundred  yards  from  Rocliffe  Scar,  at  the  end 
of  Dalton  Wood. 

A  magnificent  run  of  one  hour  and  fifty 
minutes,  nine  miles  from  point  to  point,  and 
seventeen  as  hounds  ran.  Most  of  the  horses 
were  much  beaten. 

1847.  On  the  19th  January  this  year, 
the  Master  of  the  York  and  Ainsty  Hounds 
(Mr.  Sam  Bateman — the  most  genial  gentle- 
man and  an  ardent  lover  of  fox-hunting) 
organized  a  large  dinner,  which  was  held  at 
the  De  Grey  Rooms,  York,  in  honour  of 
Sir  Tatton  Sykes,  Bart.,  who  was  then  for 
the  second  time  Master  of  what  are  now 
Lord  Middleton's  Hounds  (his  kennels  being 
at  Eddlethorpe). 

The  members  of  the  York  and  Ainsty 
were  the  hosts,  and  representatives  from 
most  of  the  other  Yorkshire  packs  of  hounds 
were  the  guests ;  among  whose  names  will 
be  found  many  who  belonged  to,   or  were 


52      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


hunting  in  the  Bedale  country  at  this  date. 

Mr.    R.    Gilbert   occupied   the   chair,    Mr. 

S.  Bateman  and  Mr.  Billy  Read  were  in  the 

vice-chairs,  and  the  following  were  present. 


♦Sir  Tatton  Sykes  *Sir  Charles 
Baron    Osten  Slingsby 

The  Honble.  Mr.  Atkinson 

B.  R.  Lawley  Mr.  Briggs 

Mr.  Anne  Mr.  Charlton 

The  Reverend  Mr.  W.  Currer 

John  Bower  Mr.  T.  Dent 

*Mr.    R.   Creyke  Mr.  Goad 

(Rawcliffe)  Mr.    Hutton 

Mr.  Digby  Cayley  Mr.  Harrison 

Mr.  C.  Darley  Mr.  Lee 

Lieut.  Fort  Mr.  MiUs 

Mr.     Horsfall  *Mr.  Edward 

*Mr.  Hill  Reynard 

(Thornton)  Lieut.  Read 

Mr.  C.  Johnstone  Mr.  Scrope 
Mr.  Edward  Lloyd  Mr.  Strickland 

Mr.  Prescott  --    -    - 
Mr.  Roper 
Mr.    G.    Swann 
Mr.  E.  Smith 


Mr.  Bower 

(Welham) 
Mr.  T.  Brown 
Mr.  Claridge 
Mr.  Darley 

(Aldby) 
Mr.  Foulis 

(Heslerton  Hall) 
Mr.  Garforth 
Captain  Healey 
Dr.  Hopper 
Mr.  George  Lloyd, 
jun. 
Mr.  T.  Norcliffe 
(Langton) 
Mr.    Charles 

Reynard 
Mr.  J.  Swann 
(Hutton  HaU) 


Mr.  Telford 
*Lord  Hawke 
Hon.  A.  BosviUe 
Col.  Thompson 
Mr.  Williamson 
Captain  Yorke 


Mr.  E.  Clough- 

Taylor 
Lord  W.  Thynne  Mr.  T.  Scrope 
The  Hon.  Capt.      Mr.  Toulston 

Duncombe  Mr.  L.  Thompson 
Sir  George  Strick-      (Sheriff  Hutton) 

land 
Mr.  H.  S.  Mr.  Thomas 

Thompson       Mr.  York 
Mr.  H.Willoughby  (Wighill) 

(8th  Lord  Middleton) 


The  names  of  those  marked  with  an  asterisk 
were,  had  been,  or  were  destined  to  be 
Masters  of  Hounds.  After  the  health  of  the 
Queen  and  the  Royal  Family  had  been  drunk, 
the  Chairman  gave  that  of  the  guest  of  the 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      53 


evening,  and  in  doing  so  said  '  *  he  would  in 
no  wise  connect  him  with  hounds  or  horses, 
or  any  other  thing.  He  would  give  the 
toast  as  that  of  Sir  Tatton  alone,  whose 
character  stood  so  high  as  an  Englishman, 
and  who  ever  evinced  a  high  chivalrous 
sense  of  honour  from  which  no  temptation, 
however  powerful,  could  induce  him  to 
swerve."  Sir  Tatton  thanked  his  hosts 
and  fellow  guests  in  a  short  speech  for  the 
kind  way  in  which  his  health  had  been 
drunk  ;  concluding  his  remarks  by  saying  he 
hoped  they  all  might  have  as  many  good 
days'  hunting  as  he  had  had,  and  proposed 
the  health  of  his  hosts,  the  members  of  the 
York  and  Ainsty  Hunt. 

Mr.  Bateman  replied  to  this,  and  proposed 
the  health  of  Lord  Harewood  and  the  Hare- 
wood  Hunt  (which  at  this  date  represented 
the  Bramham  Moor) .  Lord  William  Thynne, 
in  the  absence  of  Lord  Harewood,  replied 
to  this,  and  proposed  the  health  of  Lord 
Hawke  and  the  Badsworth. 

Lord  Hawke,  in  response,  said  he  was 
delighted  to  see  such  a  goodly  array  of  jolly 
sportsmen  as  were  gathered  together  on  this 
occasion — their  presence  was  an  assurance 
to  him  that  fox-hunting  must  prosper  in 
Yorkshire. 

He  proposed  the  health  of  the  Holderness, 
coupled  with  the  name  of  Mr.  Edward 
Reynard  (a  joint  Master).  Mr.  Reynard,  in 
responding  to  the  toast,  said  the  ' '  Hawk  ' ' 
had  roused  the  * '  Fox  '  *  in  his  lair,  and  their 


54      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


hearty  cheers  had  put  him  well  on  his  legs. 
He  thanked  them  for  their  kind  allusion 
to  the  Holderness,  and  spoke  at  some  length 
on  the  many  advantages  which  are  derived 
from  fox-hunting. 

Colonel  Thompson  proposed  the  health 
of  Mr.  Mark  Milbank  and  the  Bedale,  to 
which  Mr.  Digby  Cayley  replied. 

Mr.  York,  of  Wighill  Park,  proposed 
success  to  the  Eddlethorpe  Hounds,  to  which 
Sir  Tatton  Sykes  briefly  responded. 

Many  other  toasts  were  given,  and  the 
account  states  that  the  conviviality  of  the 
part}^  was  kept  up  to  a  late  hour. 

I  was  lucky  enough  to  pick  up  in  York  an 
account  of  this  dinner,  which  appeared  in 
the  Yorkshire  Gazette  of  Saturday,  the  23rd 
January,  1847.  It  is  most  elaborately  printed 
on  white  satin,  and  was  so  specially  executed 
for  a  Miss  Wilson. 

1846 — 47.  There  is  no  run  of  any  extra- 
ordinary merit  to  chronicle  during  this 
season,  but  the  following  account  of  a  hunt 
at  the  end  of  April  is  typical  of  very  many 
which  Mr.  Milbank  had  in  the  west  and 
north-west  portions  of  the  country  every 
year. 

29th  April.  Met  at  Hipswell  Lodge. 
Found  in  Iron  Banks,  ran  through  the  Hips- 
well  Woods  to  Throstle  Gill ;  across  to  Huds- 
well  Banks,  through  them  without  a  pause, 
to  Thorpe  Understone.  From  here  the  fox 
dropped  down  to  and  crossed  the  Swale  into 
Whitley  Scar  ;   and  after  running  to  the  west 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      55 


end  of  it  turned  over  the  hill  to  Aske  Moor ; 
bearing  to  the  left,  he  took  a  ring  round 
Applegarth,  and  returning  to  the  Swale  banks, 
ran  up  them  nearly  to  Marske.  From  here 
he  turned  back,  went  through  x\pplegarth, 
and  hounds  marked  him  to  ground  in  Whitley 
Scar,  after  a  very  beautiful  hunt  of  two  and 
a  half  hours.  At  times  the  running  was  very 
severe. 

1847 — 48.  Mr.  Milbank  was  unlucky 
enough  to  break  his  left  arm  when  hunting 
on  the  10th  November,  and  did  not  get  out 
again  until  the  17th  January. 

Jealous  riding  even  in  these  days  appears 
to  have  been  not  an  unknown  factor  in  the 
spoihng  of  sport,  as  the  following  note  in  his 
diary  affirms. 

' '  Lost  the  fox,  as  the  hounds  were  most 
shamefully  over-ridden  by  EVERY  gentle- 
man out,  my  own  sons  as  bad  as  the  rest.*' 

On  the  11th  February,  hounds  had  a  very 
hard  day  all  round  Hutton  Bonville,  Danby 
Wiske,  Streatlam  and  Langton.  The  hunts- 
man's horse  was  so  done,  he  had  to  be  taken 
to  Sir  Maxwell  Wallace's  house  at  Ainderby 
Steeple,  and  he  dropped  dead  as  soon  as  he 
got  there.  Mr.  Frederick  Milbank 's  horse, 
which  he  was  riding  for  the  first  time,  fell 
down  dead  in  the  first  mile. 

1st  May.  Met  at  Wensley,  and  killed  a 
fox  from  Preston  Scar. 

1848—49.  On  the  28th  October,  a  fox 
from  the  Crow  Pasture  Plantation  at  Thorp 
Perrow,  went  through  the  dining  room  win- 


56      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


dow  there  into  a  back  yard,  and  again  sought 
refuge  in  the  dairy,  where  Lady  Augusta 
Milbank  was  looking  at  the  produce  of  the 
cows.  Being  hustled  out  of  this  he  went 
into  an  outbuilding,  to  which  hounds 
were  brought  round  and  killed  him.  The 
hounds  (and  there  were  thirty  couples  out 
this  day)  nearly  got  into  the  dining  room,  as 
they  were  only  a  short  distance  behind  their 
fox  at  the  house. 

30th  March.  Met  at  East  Cowton.  Found 
at  Pepper  Hall,  and  leaving  Atlay  Hill  Farm 
on  the  right  ran  down  to  the  Forest  Farm, 
turned  from  here  by  Crossbills,  to  the  east 
end  of  Uckerby  Whin,  across  to  the  Moulton 
and  Cowton  lane,  where  was  the  first  check 
(thirty-one  minutes).  Hounds  hit  off  the 
line  very  soon,  and  passing  by  Kirkbank 
and  Middleton-Tyas  Church,  ran  through  the 
plantations  at  Middleton  Lodge  on  to  Barton. 
Here  the  footpeople  had  been  running  after 
the  fox,  which  caused  a  serious  and  fatal 
check.  Hit  the  line  off  at  last,  and  hunted 
him  as  far  as  the  top  of  Hang  Bank,  where 
we.  had  to  give  it  up.  A  fine  run  of  about 
eleven  miles ;   time,  one  hour  fifteen  minutes. 

2nd  May.  Met  at  Leyburn,  and  killed  a 
fox  from  Grey  Greet. 

1849—50.  On  the  9th  October,  by  per- 
mission of  the  Duke  of  Cleveland,  Mr.  Mil- 
bank  met  at  Barningham  and  had  a  day's 
hunting  round  that  place.  He  ran  one  fox 
for  three  hours,  marking  it  to  ground,  and 
ran  a  nine  mile  point  with  another,  in  an 
hour  and  seven  minutes. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      57 


23rd  February.  Met  at  Birkby  Bridge. 
Found  at  Hutton  Bonville  Whin,  and 
went  past  Lovesome  Hill  due  east,  turned 
right-handed  and  crossing  the  high  road 
pointed  direct  to  Yafforth  village  ;  leaving 
this  on  the  right,  over  the  Northallerton 
and  Bedale  railway  past  Ainderby  Steeple, 
under  Warlaby  to  the  Low  Plantations 
at  Sowber  Hill.  From  here  the  fox  bore 
left-handed  through  Mr.  Rutson's  plantations, 
into  the  kitchen  garden  at  Newby  Wiske, 
where  I  made  sure  we  had  him ;  but  he 
climbed  up  a  fruit  tree,  and  got  over  the 
garden  wall,  ran  on  into  a  small  plantation, 
where  hounds  changed  onto  a  fresh  fox,  and 
they  were  stopped  at  Sion  Hill.  This  was 
a  most  splendid  run  of  one  hour  and  a  quarter. 
The  hounds  were  never  once  cast,  and  the 
distance  from  point  to  point  is  upwards  of 
ten  miles. 

Mr.  Milbank  did  no  hunting  in  May  this 
season,  as  his  first  whipper-in  (Cross)  was 
leaving  him,  and  he  also  notes  that  foxes 
were  rather  scarce  on  the  hills. 

1850 — 51.  Joe  Mason,  who  had  been 
second  whipper-in  for  eighteen  seasons,  was 
put   on   as   first   and   Kennel   Huntsman. 

During  this  season  two  hounds  fell  into 
a  cleft  of  rock  near  Hudswell,  and  were 
without  food  or  water  for  eighty  hours,  but 
were  perfectly  well  again  in  a  day  or  two. 

1851 — 52.  There  is  nothing  of  interest 
to  record  for  this  season. 

1852—53.     2nd  February.     Met  at  Bedale. 


58      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Found  in  Sir  C.  Dodsworth's  Old  Whin 
and  passing  by  Newton-le-Willows,  over 
Noman's  Moor,  ran  to  Sandy  Hill  Plantation 
(Marrif orth) .  From  here  the  fox  dropped 
the  hill  under  Thornton  Steward,  crossed  the 
river  Yore,  just  below  Jervaulx  Abbey,  and 
went  direct  to  Ellingstring  Plantation,  turning 
right-handed  from  this  point  he  ran  on  the 
edge  of  the  Moor  straight  through  Witton 
Fell,  down  to  the  river  Cover,  came  away 
from  the  river  on  to  the  Moor  again,  and 
hounds  marked  him  to  ground  after  an  ex- 
cellent run  of  one  hour  and  a  quarter. 

1853—54.  21st  November.  Met  at  Tun- 
stall.  Found  in  the  Whin,  and  got  away  on 
top  of  a  fox  which  ran  to  Brough,  on  to  Col- 
burn  village,  then  left-handed  back  to  the 
village  of  Scotton  ;  past  the  left  of  Scotton 
Whin,  by  Fir  Tree  Plantation  to  Hauxwell 
Hall,  through  the  Woods  there,  by  Barden 
Gill  to  Halfpenny  House  ;  crossed  the  Ley- 
burn  road,  and  leaving  Grey  Greet  on  the 
south  ran  over  the  moors  direct  to  Ellerton 
Scar  (on  the  south  side  of  the  Swale  opposite 
Marrick),  where  hounds  were  found  laid  at 
the  ''  earth.''  A  most  truly  fine  run  of  two 
hours  seventeen  minutes  ;  for  the  last  half- 
hour  the  hounds  ran  away  from  the  whole 
field  of  horses,  and  were  more  than  a  mile 
ahead  when  they  marked  the  fox  to  ground. 

30th  January.  Met  at  Busby  Stoop. 
Found  in  Catton  Moor  Whin,  and  ran  at  a  great 
pace  to  Dalton  village,  where  the  fox  getting 
among    the    cottage    gardens,    caused    some 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      59 


delay  ;  hitting  him  off  on  the  south  side  of 
the  village,  they  hunted  on  well  to  Pill  Moor, 
over  the  Moor  to  Raskelf  Common,  where 
we  were  beat — the  railroads  bothering  us 
considerably.  A  good  run  of  nearly  nine 
miles  from  point  to  point. 

On  the  22nd  February,  Mr.  Milbank  men- 
tions having  found  a  mangy  fox  in  Hollin 
Head  Wood,  near  Breckamore. 

1854—55.   20th  November.    Met  at  Bedale. 

Although  a  large  circle,  the  following  was 
over  a  nice  country,  and  must  have  been  a 
good   hunt   under   some    difficulties. 

Found  in  Hornby  Park  Whin,  and  ran 
straight  to  Catterick  Lime  Kilns,  then  turning 
west  ran  past  Tunstall  and  Scotton  whins 
to  Newfound-England.  Here  a  large  flock 
of  moor  sheep,  smelling  horribly  of  grease 
and  tar,  caused  a  somewhat  lengthy  check. 
Hitting  the  line  again,  hounds  ran  across 
the  gill — towards  Hipswell — and  leaving  the 
Woods  on  the  left,  turned  back  to  the  Brough 
coverts,  and  on  to  Lime  Kilns  ;  where  the 
fox  being  headed  in  every  direction,  he  was 
lost.  A  good  hunting  run  of  two  and  a 
quarter    hours. 

On  the  15th  December,  Mr.  Milbank  had 
a  hound  killed  on  the  railway  at  Hutton 
Bonville  cutting ;  at  which  place  it  is 
marvellous  that  more  hounds  are  not  lost, 
especially  at  the  present  day,  when  trains  run 
more  frequently  and  there  are  so  many 
expresses,  which  at  this  point  are  running  at 
a  high  rate  of  speed. 


60      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Mr.  Milbank  remarks :  ' '  Well  it  was  no 
worse,  as  the  train  ran  through  the  whole 
pack,  when  running  across  the  line/' 

There  was  a  long  frost  this  season,  and 
hounds  did  not  hunt  from  the  17th  January 
until  the  2nd  March. 

1855—56.     9th  January.     Met  at  Bedale. 

Found  in  the  Garden  Whin  at  Thorp  Perrow, 
away  through  the  Banks  to  Watlass  Moor, 
and  on  by  the  north  of  Clifton  Castle,  down 
to  the  river  Yore.  Crossed  the  river,  straight 
to  Ellington  Firth,  where  a  slight  check 
occurred,  then  pointing  north-west  ran  nearly 
up  to  Witton  Fell,  from  which  the  fox  turned 
back  left-handed  across  the  moor,  and  on 
account  of  the  deep  snow  hounds  had  to  be 
stopped,    heading   for   Agra   Plantation. 

25th  February.  Met  at  Hutton  Bonville. 
Found  in  the  Whin,  ran  across  to  the  Deighton 
coverts,  then  turned  north  by  Appleton  Wiske, 
right-handed  to  Rounton ;  from  this  place  the 
fox  headed  straight  for  the  hills,  and 
hounds  ran  into  him  at  Scarth  Nick  Farm, 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  north 
end  of  Arncliffe  Wood.  One  hour  and  a 
half  from  Deighton,   a  most  beautiful  run. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  to  the  great  regret 
of  the  whole  country,  Mr.  Milbank  gave  up 
the  hounds,  having  been  Master  for  twenty- 
four  years,  during  which  he  had  formed  as 
a  separate  ' '  Hunt  ' '  the  present  Bedale 
country  ;  had  got  plenty  of  good  whin  coverts 
made,  which  were  all  well  stocked  with  foxes, 
and  as  the  foregoing  accounts  of  runs  indicate. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      61 


had  shown  some  capital  sport,  and  killed  an 
average  number  of  foxes. 

Mr.  Milbank  had  only  four  Hunt  servants 
during  his  Mastership :  Barwick,  Cross, 
Joe  Mason,  and  a  second  whipper-in — Tom. 
Somewhat  of  a  change  from  the  present  day, 
when  a  hunt  servant  is  ' '  Here  to-day  and 
gone  to-morrow.''  A  smattering  of  edu- 
cation and  railways  have  played  the  deuce 
even  in  this  line  of  Hfe.  He  sold  thirty 
couples  of  his  older  hounds  to  Lord  Stamford, 
then  Master  of  the  Quorn,  for  £600. 

It  was  said  that  Mr.  Milbank  never  gave 
his  successor  the  option  of  purchasing  his 
hounds  ;  but,  as  his  third  son,  Henry  John, 
had  married  Lady  Margaret  Grey,  Lord 
Stamford's  sister;  I  think  probably,  as  the 
hounds  were  well  bred  and  of  a  rare  working 
sort.  Lord  Stamford  had  taken  an  early 
opportunity  of  getting  the  '  *  refusal ' '  of 
them. 


CHAPTER    III. 

1856-1867 
The   Honourable   W.  Ernest  Duncombe. 

"  Railways   and  fox-hunting,    make    most   people 
punctual. ' ' — Surtees. 

A  successor  to  Mr.  Milbank  was  found  in 
Mr.  Duncombe,  who  took  up  his  residence 
at  The  Leases. 

He  started  the  formation  of  a  new  pack 
by  buying  the  Forfarshire  Hounds  from  Lord 
Dalhousie,  a  few  from  Mr.  Milbank,  and  also 
got  a  good  draft  when  Captain  Percy  Williams 
sold  his  Rufford  Hounds.  As  there  were  no 
kennels  belonging  to  the  Hunt,  Mr.  Milbank 
lent  him  those  at  Thorp  Perrow  for  two 
seasons.  In  1858  the  building  of  kennels 
was  commenced,  the  site  chosen  being  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Low  Street  near  the  field 
road,  which  now  leads  into  Scruton  village. 
It  was  found  that  the  subsoil  was  unsuitable 
so  the  idea  was  abandoned  ;  and  a  lease  was 
taken  of  Aiskew  Grange  Farm,  which  stands 
due  west  of  The  Leases.  Some  of  the  build- 
ings being  converted  into  kennels. 

Mr.  Duncombe  retained  Joe  Mason  as 
his  Huntsman  until  the  end  of  the  season 


j#.^''"'>^, 

^ 

^f-            ^^  ]^ 

vs»^-  m 

wt    '  \^^^ 

mm: '      1 

^3^ 

i 

■^ 

w    4Hlii^H^^H 

[ 

lJ 

The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      63 


'60— '61,  when  a  man  from  Mr.  John  HilFs 
kennels  took  his  place.  He  only  remained 
one  season  ;  and  three  others,  Harrison,  G. 
Beers  and  Christian,  each  carried  the  horn 
for  a  like  period.  In  1865  Stephen  Shepherd, 
who  had  been  whipper-in  for  many  years, 
was  put  on  and  remained  until  Mr.  Buncombe 
gave  up  the  hounds  in  1867,  in  which  year 
he  succeeded  to  the  Barony  of  Feversham, 
being  created  an  Earl  the  following  year. 

I  have  only  been  able  to  obtain  scant  in- 
formation about  the  sport  during  Mr.  Dun- 
combe's  Mastership.  Lord  Feversham  has 
no  hunting  diaries  to  help  one,  and  there  are 
none  now  living  who  remember  hunting  when 
he  was  Master.  During  the  last  six  years  of 
his  time,  i.e.,  from  1861 — 67,  he  hunted  the 
Yorkshire  side  of  the  Raby  country  ;  that  is 
as  far  north  as  the  river  Tees.  This  was  the 
period  when  the  Raby  country  was  lent  to 
the  Masters  of  the  Durham  and  Hurworth 
(see  pedigree). 

After  the  death  of  the  2nd  Duke  of 
Cleveland  in  1864,  the  subscription  which 
he  had  given  to  the  Masters  of  the  Durham 
and  Hurworth  Hounds  of  £500  each,  was 
discontinued.  Under  these  circumstances 
they  probably  confined  themselves  solely  to 
hunting  the  Durham  and  Hurworth  sides  of 
the  old  Raby  country ;  and  the  late  Mr. 
Christopher  Cradock,  and  Mr.  George  Gilpin- 
Brown,  gave  Mr.  Duncombe  £500  each  per 
annum,  to  hunt  the  above  mentioned  York- 
shire side,  one  day  a  week. 


64      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


The  points  of  two  or  three  good  runs  are 
here  given,  but  I  am  unable  to  furnish  much 
detail. 

Found  in  a  plantation  near  Winston 
Bridge,  and  running  by  Barningham,  killed 
on  Hallgate  Moor. 

Found  near  Middleham,  and  ran  to  Rich- 
mond. Found  at  Spennithorn  Whin,  and 
killed  at  Easby. 

On  the  25th  January  there  was  a  very 
quick  gallop  into  the  Hurworth  country. 

Met  at  Skipton  Bridge,  but  nothing  was 
done  until  Mr.  BelFs  Whin,  near  Thirsk  rail- 
way station,  was  reached.  From  here  a  fox 
broke  away  at  once  on  the  west  side,  and  ran 
by  Abel  Grange,  skirting  the  Wood  End 
coverts,  across  the  Park  there,  over  the 
Thirsk  and  Northallerton  Road  to  Purgatory 
Whin.  Hounds  pushed  him  on  from  here 
with  no  sign  of  a  check  ;  over  the  Cod  Beck 
Ings,  straight  to  Cotcliffe  Wood ;  leaving 
the  village  of  Borrowby  on  the  right.  He 
tried  to  reach  the  open  country  on  the  top  of 
the  hill  above  the  wood,  but  the  pace  had 
been  too  severe,  and  his  strength  failing  him, 
turned  down  the  hill  again  and  made  for  the 
''main  earths,''  but  two  hundred  yards  before 
he  could  reach  them,  hounds  ran  into  him. 

This  is  a  good  six  mile  point,  and  the  time 
recorded  for  the  distance  run  is  thirty  minutes. 
Hounds  must  have  raced  ! 

Mr.  Buncombe  must,  at  this  time,  have 
thought  of  giving  up  the  hounds,  as  the 
account  from  which  the  above  is  an  extract. 


Cotheriton 


1861-67 

inrinsCon. 

^"^-.  CLiffe 


i^^CCeasdy 


N 


W- 


•  Pal  ton  ^ 

/uncCion 


3m€QCon. 


ortholUtCon. 


3edali 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      65 


concludes  by  saying :  ''I  trust  that  our 
excellent  Master  will  receive  such  encour- 
agement as  will  cause  him  to  reconsider  his 
determination    of   giving   up    the   hounds." 

On  the  11th  Februar>%  1863,  hounds  took 
a  fox  into  the  Bilsdale  country. 

Met  at  York  Gate,  but  did  not  find  a  fox 
between  Baldersby  and  the  Thirsk  coverts. 

At  last  one  was  found  in  a  small  spinney 
near  Lord  Cathcart's  tile  yards  at  Wood 
End,  on  the  west  of  the  railway  Hne.  He 
crossed  the  railway,  passed  the  Lodge  gates, 
up  the  avenue  to  Wood  End  and  pointed  for 
Thirsk,  but  turning  northwards  went  by 
Thornton-le-Street  village,  as  if  Cotcliffe 
Wood  was  his  destination.  Being  headed 
near  Knayton,  he  turned  back  from  there 
over  the  Upsall  pastures,  through  Upsall 
gorse,  then  turned  up  the  hill  to  Woolmoor 
Common,  from  here  through  Mr.  Elsey's 
Plantations,  and  finally  got  to  ground  in 
Shotwood  Bank,  after  a  very  severe  hunt  of 
fifty-five  minutes.  The  writer  of  this  account 
says  '  *  On  rising  the  hill  from  Upsall,  the 
'  field '  was  much  in  difficulty.  Horses 
pumped,  riders  off,  girths  slacked,  heads  to 
the  wind.'' 

On  the  5th  December,  1866,  there  was  a 
very  fast  forty-five  minutes  from  Uckerby 
WHiin.  Ran  first  across  to  Halnaby,  then 
bore  right-handed  past  Clervaux  Castle, 
straight  to  Croft,  where  hounds  ran  into  their 
fox  in  front  of  the  Archdeacon's  house. 

A    correspondent    of    *' Bell's    Life"    re- 


66      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


cording  that  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Cliffe  Hall,  Mr. 
Masterman,  Major  Scrope,  and  the  Master, 
had  the  best  of  the  run. 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  towards  the  end  of 
Mr.  Duncombe's  mastership,  hunting  matters 
had  got  rather  slack.  The  breech  loading 
gun  had  recently  been  introduced,  and, 
whether  this  induced  a  larger  head  of  game 
to  be  reared  and  maintained,  making  the 
shooting  thereof  a  more  important  business 
than  it  had  been  previously  ;  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  supply  of  foxes  sadly  dimin- 
ished, and  keenness  for  ' '  hunting  with  the 
running  hounds  ' '  was  deplorably  on  the 
wane. 

Mr.  John  Booth  is  reported  to  have  said 
that  during  his  first  season,   ' '  he  rode  five 
hundred    miles    over    the    Bedale    country 
without  touching  the  line  of  a  fox.'' 

Let  us  hope  that  such  a  fearful  stigma 
will  never  again  attach  itself  to  the  * '  Bedale ' ' 
so  long  as  a  pack  of  foxhounds  exists  therein. 


I 'lull  «  mmm> 


CHAPTER    IV. 

1867—1878. 
John  B.  Booth. 

"  Tell  me  a  man  is  a  Fox  hunter,  and  I  loves  him 
at  once." — Surtees. 

When  Lord  Feversham  gave  up  the  hounds 
at  the  end  of  the  season  1866 — 7,  great 
difficulty  was  experienced  in  finding  a  new 
Master.  Three  meetings  were  held  at  Bedale 
to  discuss  the  question,  but  no  one  came 
forward  to  take  the  country. 

On  the  14th  April,  Lord  Feversham' s 
hounds  were  put  up  for  auction  by  Messrs. 
Tattersall,  at  The  Leases'  Kennels,  and 
what  then  occurred  is  best  told  in  Mr.  Booth's 
own  words. 

*'  We  were  at  the  sale  of  the  hounds,  no 
one  had  come  forward  to  hunt  the  country, 
and  there  was  every  prospect  of  the  Bedale 
Hunt  and  Hounds  ceasing  to  exist.  I  was 
more  than  sad,  and  said  to  my  dear  friend, 
Mr.  H.  Clare  Vyner,  that  in  a  moment  there 
would  be  no  '  Bedale.'  His  reply  was  *  Go 
on  Booth — buy — we'll  back  you.'  I  did  go 
on,    and    bought    the    hounds,    thirty-three 


68      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


couples,  for  £430."  His  co-guarantors  were 
Mr.  Clare  Vyner,  Mr.  J.  Hutton,  Colonel 
Straubenzee,  and  Mr.  Bruere.  A  circular 
letter  was  at  once  sent  to  those  who  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  hunting,  asking  for  sup- 
port to  carry  on  the  Hunt.  £510  was  very 
soon  raised,  and  the  balance  was  spent  in 
purchasing  some  draft  hounds,  and  im- 
proving existing  fox-coverts.  In  this  manner 
was  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present  Bedale 
Hounds,  which  from  this  date  became  the 
property  of  the  country.  The  first  entry 
of  any  Bedale  hounds  in  the  Foxhound 
Kennel  Stud  Book  is  for  the  year  1862,  a  nine 
season  dog,  probably  one  of  those  bought  at 
Lord  Feversham's  sale. 

For  many  years  the  Bedale  seem  to  have 
depended  on  draft  hounds,  few  being  home 
bred,  and  hardly  any  home  stallion  hounds 
used.  In  Appendix  B  will  be  found  an 
account  of  the  various  Kennels  from  which 
hounds  have  come,  and  stalHon  hounds  have 
been  used. 

On  the  9th  October,  a  general  meeting 
of  all  interested  in  hunting  was  held,  and  it 
was  arranged  that  Mr.  Booth  should  hunt 
the  country  five  days  a  fortnight,  with  a 
guaranteed  subscription  of  £1000  a  year. 
Having  regard  to  the  last  paragraph  of  the 
previous  chapter,  Mr.  Booth  remarks  ' '  It 
was  an  uphill  game  at  first,  but  all  came 
right  in  the  end." 

Mr.  Booth  was  an  excellent  judge  of  a 
horse,  and  won    many    Hunter  prizes  with 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      69 


Jeweller,  Beechwood,  Ballet  Girl,  Brigadier, 
Brian  Borue,  Bird  of  Passage,  British  Queen 
and  others.  One  horse  he  had  while  Master, 
a  grey,  called  Beacon,  carried  him  for  ten 
seasons,  with  only  one  fall.  Another  good 
one  he  owned  called  Jack  o'  Lantern,  was 
bought  in  an  odd  way.  He  went  to  see  him 
late  one  evening  in  Fencote  village,  his  owner 
not  content  with  showing  him  the  horse  added 
'  *  You  hang  about  a  bit,  nubbut  you  let  my 
old  woman  and  her  clatter  get  to  bed,  and 
I'll  let  you  see  him  loup.''  When  the  old 
woman  and  clatter  had  gone  to  bed,  the  man 
tied  a  couple  of  lanterns  to  the  posts  of  a 
gate,  and  put  the  horse  over  it  two  or  three 
times.  Mr.  Booth  was  so  delighted  with 
the  performance,  he  bought  him  there  and 
then,    and   called   him   Jack  o'  Lantern. 

While  relating  stories  which  do  not  strictly 
appertain  to  hunting  the  fox,  one  referring 
to  Mr.  Booth's  father  and  the  late  Sir  Tatton 
Sykes,  seems  worthy  of  mention.  On  one 
occasion  Sir  Tatton  had  come  over  to  ride 
a  horse  of  Mr.  Booth's  called  Joker,  at 
Northallerton  Races.  After  winning  the 
race  as  he  thought,  and  having  pulled  up, 
he  discovered  that  he  had  to  go  round  the 
course  again  to  complete  the  distance.  It 
was  the  year  of  Sir  Tatton' s  marriage  (1822), 
and  Lady  Sykes  was  in  the  Stand  as  a  bride. 
W^hen  apologising  to  Mr.  Booth  for  his 
mistake,  he  said  * '  I  am  very  sorry.  Sir,  but 
you  must  blame  Lady  Sykes,  not  me,  for  the 
mistake ;     I  was  thinking  more  of  her  than 


70      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


my  work."  This  seems  to  me  to  be  a  most 
typical  anecdote  about  this  straightforward, 
portsing,  and  well-behaved  Yorkshire  gentle- 
man. 

Mr.  Booth  engaged  as  his  huntsman,  Tom 
Carr  (who  came  from  the  Herefordshire)  and 
Charles  Orvis,   as  whipper-in. 

During  his  Mastership  he  had  some  ex- 
cellent gallops,  and  some  wonderfully  good 
fox-hunts.  He  had  to  contend  with  a  badly 
stopped  country  and  a  scarcity  of  foxes  at 
some  periods ;  so,  had  some  very  long  draws 
and  some  very  disappointing  days ;  but, 
generally  speaking,  his  time  in  command 
was  a  sporting  and  successful  one.  Mr. 
George  B.  Peirson,  of  Baldersby,  a  very  old 
friend  of  his,  thus  writes  of  him. 

' '  As  a  horseman,  Mr.  Booth,  when  his 
weight  is  considered,  was  a  wonderful  man 
to  hounds.  Anything  he  rode  soon  became 
a  clever  hunter,  and  it  was  a  very  formidable 
place  that  would  stop  him  when  hounds 
really  ran. 

A  thorough  sportsman,  a  genial  host,  and 
a  deeply  regretted,  and  to  this  day  much 
missed  friend,  are  my  memories  of  John 
Booth.'' 

He  kept  a  most  accurate  and  interesting 
hunting  diary,  and  from  it  one  finds  that  he 
hunted  the  south-east  and  south-west  portions 
of  the  country  very  frequently.  Newby  Hall, 
Bamlett's  Whin,  Carlton  Rush,  Baldersby, 
Leckby,  Milby  Whins,  the  Thirsk  Hall  coverts 
and  those  of  Thornton-le-Street,  never  failed 
to  provide  a  good  stout  fox. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      71 


On  the  north-west,  he  was  also  pretty  sure 
of  sport.  Thornhills  and  Tunstall  Whins, 
Hipswell,  Hudswell,  Brough  and  Scotton 
generally  furnishing  the  *' needful/' 

A  curious  fact  has  struck  me  on  carefully 
reading  Mr.  Booth's  diaries,  how  very  often 
hounds  went  back  to  a  covert  they  had 
found  in  earlier  in  the  day,  and  invariably 
were  able  to  find  another  fox.  We  can 
seldom  do  this  now-a-days.  Is  it  that  the 
coverts  were  thicker  and  more  holding,  or 
that  the  foxes  were  less  wild  ?  I  fear  the 
answer  must  be  in  favour  of  the  coverts. 

That  there  is  a  very  strong  hereditary 
instinct  among  foxes  is  amply  proved  by  the 
run  of  them,  for  more  than  seventy  years 
from  such  places  as  Hutton  Bonville,  Uckerby, 
Thrintoft,  Cowton  and  Langton.  If  I  des- 
cribe a  hunt  from  any  of  these  places  at  this 
date,  it  is  '*  a  thousand  to  one  ' '  that  it  would 
correspond  point  for  point  with  one  which 
took  place  fifty,  even  seventy  years  ago. 

Let  me  now  get  Mr.  Booth  to  work,  and 
record  a  few  of  his  best  runs,  and  other  inci- 
dents  during  his   Mastership. 

1867  —  68.  He  never  commenced  cub- 
hunting  before  the  third  week  in  September. 

Presumably  to  inaugurate  Mr.  Booth's 
accession  as  Master,  a  Hunt  Club  dinner  was 
held  at  the  Black  Swan,  Bedale.  Mr.  Mark 
Milbank  being  in  the  chair  and  twenty-one 
members  present. 

On  the  6th  November  there  was  a  capital 
hunt    from   Thornhills  Whin.     Hounds  met 


72      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


at  Brough,  but  doing  nothing  there,  drew 
Thornhills,  from  which  place  a  fox  first  of 
all  ran  a  ring  out  by  Hauxwell,  then  back  to  the 
Whin,  away  from  here  by  the  edge  of  Scotton 
Moor  to  Newfound-England,  turned  from 
here  through  Hauxwell  and  Garriston  to 
Constable  Burton  ;  but  the  west  seemed  to 
be  his  point,  so  he  turned  again,  past  Bellerby 
to  Leyburn  Shawl.  He  ran  the  length  of 
this  covert,  down  the  hill  nearly  to  Bolton 
Hall,  then  retracing  his  steps  went  through 
the  west  end  of  the  Shawl  to  Preston  Gill, 
dropped  the  hill  again  through  Preston  village, 
through  the  Shawl  again,  and  hounds  pulled 
him  down  just  outside  Leyburn,  after  a  good 
hunt  of  two  hours  and  thirty-five  minutes. 

In  November  this  year,  hounds  ran  a  fox 
to  ground  in  a  drain  at  the  back  of  Grewel- 
thorpe  village.  When  the  terrier  was  put 
in,  no  less  than  four  foxes  bolted. 

In  February,  1868,  Lord  Hare  wood  gave 
the  Hunt  a  field  at  Thrintoft,  to  be  sown  as 
a  Whin  Covert.     Rental  one  shilling  a  year. 

This  season  ended  on  the  18th  April,  there 
having  been  eight  blank  days,  and  hounds 
having  killed  eleven  brace  of  foxes. 

1868—69.  On  the  17th  December,  there 
was  a  capital  point  and  gallop  of  55  minutes. 
The  ground  rode  very  heavy,  and  most 
horses  were  dead  beat. 

Found  at  Cowton  Whin,  away  at  once 
past  the  old  Church,  across  the  Bottoms  to 
East  Cowton  village  ;  left  Cowton  station 
on  the  right,   up  to  High  Magdalen  Farm, 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      73 


heading  as  if  for  Entercommon  ;  but  bearing 
to  the  left,  the  fox  went  through  Forty  Acres 
Wood,  across  into  Beverley  Wood,  and  running 
the  whole  length  of  this  covert,  got  to  ground 
in  Sockburn  Scar,  just  in  front  of  hounds. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  at  this  time  there 
was  a  great  scarcity  of  foxes  all  over  the 
country,  as  on  the  28th  December,  when 
hounds  met  at  Leeming  station,  eighteen 
coverts  were  drawn  without  the  line  of  a  fox 
being  touched. 

On  the  22nd  December,  a  large  meeting 
of  the  members  of  the  Hunt,  and  others 
interested,  was  held  in  Bedale  (Mr.  Mark 
Milbank,  presiding)  ;  when  all  the  large 
land  owners  pledged  themselves  to  do  every- 
thing in  their  power  to  ensure  the  better 
preservation  of  foxes.  This  promise  was 
kept,  and  for  a  time  a  marked  improvement 
was  visible  in  the  supply. 

As  the  Bedale  hounds  occasionally  cross 
the  river  Yore  into  the  York  and  Ainsty 
country  from  Newby  Hall,  it  may  be  well 
to  mention  briefly  the  terrible  accident  which 
happened  with  the  York  and  Ainsty  at  the 
ferry  there  on  February  4th,  1869,  whereby 
Sir  Charles  Slingsby  (the  Master)  Mr.  Edward 
Lloyd,  Mr.  James  Robinson,  William  Orvis 
(kennel  huntsman),  Christopher  and  James 
Warriner    (the   ferrymen),    were   drowned. 

Thirteen  men  and  eleven  horses  were  on 
the  ferry  boat,  six  men  and  nine  horses  were 
drowned.  The  survivors  among  the  men 
being  Sir  George  Wombwell,  Bart.,  Captain 


74      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Molyneux,  R.N.,  Captain  W.  H.  Key,  of 
Fulford  Hall,  Major  Mussenden,  8th  Hussars, 
Mr.  Richard  Thompson  (of  Kirby),  Mr.  Clare 
Vyner,  and  Mr.  White,  15th  Hussars. 

Two  horses  only  reached  the  bank.  Sir 
Charles's  favourite  ''  Saltfish,''  and  Mr. 
Thompson '  s    ''  Woodpigeon .  *  * 

Hounds  had  brought  their  fox  from  Green- 
wood's Whin,  near  Bishop  Monkton  with  a 
rare  scent,  and  he  had  crossed  the  river  into 
the  Bedale  country,  close  to  the  ferry  at 
Newby.  Through  the  eagerness  of  everyone 
to  get  forward,  the  boat  was  undoubtedly 
overloaded,  three  or  four  horses  being  its 
outside  capacity,  and  almost  as  soon  as  she 
was  under  weigh,  she  capsized. 

A  gloom  was  cast  over  the  hunting  world 
— not  of  Yorkshire  only — but  in  all  parts. 

The  York  and  Ainsty  did  not  hunt  again 
that  season,  and  neighbouring  packs  of  hounds 
went  and  had  a  day  each,  by  invitation. 

Hunting  ceased  on  3rd  April.  There  having 
been  seven  blank  days,  and  hounds  having 
killed  nine  brace  of  foxes. 

1869 — 70.  November  18th  provided  a  good 
day's  sport.  Meeting  at  Scorton,  hounds 
went  first  to  Uckerby  WTiin.  Found  here  at 
once,  and  ran  straight  to  Moulton  village, 
being  headed  here,  he  ran  direct  to  Halnaby, 
and  hounds  rolled  him  over  close  in  front 
of  the  dining-room  windows  at  that  place, 
after  a  very  quick  thirty-seven  minutes. 

A  better  hunt  was,  however,  to  come. 

Cowton  Whin  was  drawn  blank,  but  a  fox 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      75 


was  found  in  a  small  covert  on  Atlay  Hill, 
which  ran  to  the  Tile  Sheds  Plantation  at 
Streatlam,  where  a  brace  more  were  afoot. 
After  hunting  the  leash  in  covert  for  some 
time,  all  three  broke  away  about  fifty  yards 
behind  one  another,  and  took  the  same  line 
to  Hodber  Hill  Plantation  at  Kiplin.  Hounds 
pushed  one  away  from  here  over  the  Forest 
Farm,  then  bearing  east,  nearly  up  to  Streat- 
lam village  ;  taking  a  turn  to  the  north  from 
here,  hounds  ran  past  the  Tile  Shed  Plantation 
straight  up  to  Pepper  Arden,  over  the  Park 
there,  into  the  Bottoms  on  the  north  side. 
Being  headed  near  the  Church,  he  turned  back 
through  the  Park,  to  East  Cowton  village, 
and  on  to  Cowton  station.  Here  again, 
being  headed  by  people  working  on  the  rail- 
way, he  turned  towards  Birkby ,  and  ran  parallel 
with  the  Wiske  up  to  Hutton  Bonville,  bore 
right-handed  from  here  nearly  up  to  Streatlam 
Whin,  headed  again  here,  he  turned  back 
through  Danby  Wiske  village  and  on  into 
the  Hutton  Bonville  coverts  ;  leaving  them 
he  ran  towards  Birkby  again,  but  hounds  had 
to  be  stopped,  as  it  was  pitch  dark,  having 
run  for  two  hours  and  thirty-six  minutes.  A 
twisting  sort  of  a  hunt,  but  the  fox  seems  to 
have  been  headed  in  all  directions. 

On  January  8th,  found  in  Spennithorne 
Whin,  and  ran  to  within  two  fields  of  Marri- 
forth  coverts,  turning  here  the  fox  ran  down 
Ruswick  Gill,  on  the  south  side  of  Fingall 
village  to  Croft  Wood,  crossed  the  railway,  and 
on  by  Constable  Burton  Hall  to  Forty  Acres 


76      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Wood,  away  to  the  west  end  of  this,  pointing 
for  Leyburn ;  being  headed  near  Harmby 
village,  he  turned  left-handed  by  Spenni- 
thorne,  through  the  Whin  where  he  was  found, 
and  forward  to  Hutton  Hang  ;  then  made  a 
turn  westward  to  Danby-on-Yore,  bore 
towards  Thornton  Steward,  over  the  hill 
here  as  if  Finghall  was  his  point,  but  his  bolt 
was  nearly  shot,  and  after  going  a  short 
distance  towards  Hutton  Hang  hounds  killed 
him.  A  very  fast  gallop  of  one  hour  and 
twenty-five  minutes. 

The  field  got  very  much  scattered,  the 
following  being  the  only  people  present  when 
the  fox  was  killed.  Mr.  Booth,  Mr.  Gerald 
Wilson,  Mr.  John  Osborne,  Hudson  (the 
jockey),  and  the  two  Hunt  servants. 

As  few  of  the  "  field  ' '  had  seen  anything  of 
this  run,  Mr.  Booth  was  prevailed  upon  to 
draw  again — although  the  servants'  horses 
were  dead  beat.  A  fox  was  found  in  Marri- 
forth,  and  after  a  ringing  hunt  back  to  the 
Whin,  a  beaten  fox  had  to  be  left,  as  the 
servants  could  not  get  on.  Mr.  Booth  re- 
marks * '  a  silly  thing  to  do,  and  I  shall  never 
be  induced  again  to  draw  for  a  fresh  fox 
under  similar  circumstances.'' 

On  the  19th  January,  there  was  a  good 
point  and  gallop  of  one  hour  and  eighteen 
minutes. 

Found  a  brace  in  Bamlett's  Whin.  Hounds 
divided,  but  the  body  took  one  fox  on  to 
Catton  village  (where  he  recrossed  the  Swale) 
through  the  Old  Whin  at  Baldersby,  past  York 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      77 


Gate,  straight  to  Withernwick  coverts  leaving 
Melmerby  village  to  the  right.  From  With- 
ernwick, across  to  the  Willow  garth  below 
Nunwick,  through  it  past  Hutton  Conyers, 
and  over  the  hill  as  if  for  Sharow ;  but 
turning  right-handed  from  here,  hounds  ran 
into  their  fox  on  the  banks  of  the  Yore,  close 
to  Ripon  station  railway  bridge. 

Hunting  ceased  on  the  25th  April.  There 
was  no  blank  day,  and  fifteen  brace  of 
foxes  were  killed. 

1870 — 71.  Among  the  entry  of  this  year, 
was  an  extraordinary  speedy  and  bold  dog 
called  'Singer'  (by  'The  Bramham  Stormer' 
out  of  'Charity'). 

One  day  when  drawing  Hutton  Moor  gorse 
covert,  a  fox  jumped  up  in  view  of  the  pack. 
'  Singer  '  at  once  shot  out  from  the  rest  and 
killed  him.  A  second  fox  was  almost  im- 
mediately found  in  the  same  gorse,  and  again 
'  Singer '  forged  to  the  front,  but  as  the  fox 
soon  after  being  put  up,  slipped  through  a  stiff 
bottomed  fence,  he  was  a  little  more  handi- 
capped in  his  **  course."  He  was,  however, 
quite  equal  to  the  occasion,  and  raced  this 
fox  down  and  killed  him. 

A  third  fox  was  found ;  and  after  about  an 
hour's  hunt,  hounds  ran  from  scent  to  view 
(at  Norton  Conyers),  and  'Singer'  again 
distinguished  himself.  Leaving  the  rest  of 
the  pack,  he  coursed  and  killed  this  third  fox, 
in  the  sunk  fence  just  below  the  Fish  Pond. 
On  account  of  his  excessive  speed  he  was 
included  in  the  draft,  but  for  some  reason 


78      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


the  order  was  cancelled,  and  he  continued 
to  work  for  several  seasons. 

About  this  time  a  strange  sight  was  one 
day  witnessed,  when  hounds  met  at  Newby 
Hall. 

As  soon  as  they  had  found  a  fox  at  the 
Duck  Pond  covert  in  the  Park,  and  were  just 
settUng  down  nicely  to  the  Hne,  Mr.  Booth, 
Mr.  Clare  Vyner,  Mr.  Peter  Wilkinson,  and 
Captain  R.  Meysey-Thompson  were  seen  to 
gallop  madly  on  top  of  hounds,  despite  the 
huntsman's  remonstrances  to  'hold  hard.' 
After  they  had  got  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
ahead  of  fox  and  hounds,  this  apparently 
mad  quartette  pulled  up  ;  when  the  aston- 
ished ''field' '  was  told  that  what  had  occurred 
was  to  decide  whether  hounds  or  well-bred 
horses  were  the  faster  for  a  few  furlongs. 

Mr.  Booth  and  Vyner  backing  the  hounds, 
Mr.  Wilkinson  and  Captain  Meysey-Thompson 
the  horses. 

On  the  16th  January  there  was  a  good  run. 

Found  in  a  small  covert  close  to  Thornton 
Watlass,  ran  past  the  Hall,  towards  the  Old 
Whin  as  if  for  Marriforth  ;  turning  short  of 
this,  the  fox  went  over  Nomans  Moor,  through 
Cocked  Hat  Wood,  and  out  towards  Ruswick 
Gill,  but  bore  right-handed  from  this  to 
Newton-le- Willows ;  crossed  the  Beck,  past 
Grazing  Nook  Farm,  and  over  the  hill  by 
Hunton,  as  if  Thornhills  Whin  was  his  point ; 
being  headed  short  of  this  covert,  he  kept  on 
northwards,  and  leaving  Scotton  Hall  on  the 
right  was  killed  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile 


The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908      79 


from  that  place,  after  a  capital  gallop  of  two 
hours ;  the  distance  being  about  sixteen 
miles  as  hounds  ran.  The  ground  was  very 
heavy  and  only  a  few  saw  the  finish  ;  among 
thern^  being  Sir  John  Lawson,  Mr.  Coore,  Mr. 
Benyon,  Mr.  W.  C.  Booth,  Mr.  Ernest  Powlett 
and  Mr.  Tate  ;  Miss  Stainton  and  Miss  Dalton 
both  going  very  well  through  the  run. 

21st  February.  Found  two  brace  of  foxes 
in  Thornhills  Whin.  After  a  large  ring  with 
one  of  them,  which  was  lost  near  Hunton ;  the 
Whin  was  drawn  a  second  time,  and  responded 
to  the  call.  This  fox  ran  down  to  Hauxwell, 
leaving  the  Hall  on  the  right,  went  past 
Barden  village,  through  the  north-west  end 
of  Forty  Acres  Wood  to  Straubenzee*s  Whin, 
made  a  left-handed  turn  towards  Harmby, 
then  back  through  Forty  Acres  up  to  Constable 
Burton ;  across  by  Garriston  village,  over 
Barden  Beck,  to  ground  at  Barden  Farm. 
One  hour  and  a  half.  Although  a  circular 
hunt,  it  must  have  been  a  good  run  over  a 
fine  piece  of  country.  For  the  last  two 
miles,  the  fox  was  viewed  several  times 
only  a  field  ahead  of  hounds,  so  it  was 
hard  luck  their  not  getting  blood.  Hounds 
hunted  this  season  up  to  the  13th  April,  and 
there  was  only  one  blank  day. 

Mr.  Booth  hunted  the  Leckby,  Cundall, 
Newby  Hall  and  present  Wednesday  country 
a  good  deal  this  year ;  as  also  the  north-west 
side,  round  Scotton,  Hauxwell,  Hipswell, 
and  Brough,  finding  plenty  of  foxes  and 
having  some  good  sport. 


80      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


1871—72.  This  season  Mr.  Booth  hunted 
the  hounds  himself,  having  as  his  first  whipper- 
in  and  kennel  huntsman,  Alfred  Thatcher 
(the  father  of  Arthur  Thatcher,  who  for  many 
seasons  showed  such  good  sport  with  the 
Cottesmore,  and  is  now  with  Mr.  Fernie's 
hounds),  and  H.  Harrison  as  second  whipper- 
in. 

One  who  knew  him  well,  thus  writes  of  Mr. 
Booth  as  a  huntsman. 

"  He  was  wonderfully  in  sympathy  with  his 
hounds,  and  by  this,  got  them  to  persevere 
most  patiently  on  a  cold  scent. 

He  used  to  go  away  very  quick  from  covert ; 
no  waiting  for  laggards,  believing  that  the 
first  ten  minutes'  real  burst  kills  your  fox  ; 
and  that  from  four  to  six  couples  of  hounds 
was  enough  for  this."* 

He  believed  in  the  first  principles  of  fox- 
hunting ;  that  hounds,  horses,  servants,  &c., 
are  kept  to  kill  the  fox,  so  he  never  gave 
them  more  chances  than  he  could  help, 
knowing  perfectly  well  that  a  fox  has  scores 
of  dodges  by  which  he  can  escape,  of  which 
most  huntsmen  know  little. 

On  going  to  draw  Thornhills  Whin  for  the 
first  time  this  season,  Mr.  Booth  was  horrified 
to  find  that  two  rides  had  been  cut  in  it — 
one  from  east  to  west,  one  from  north  to 


*  Opinions  differ.  Some  say  that  a  keen  hound  will  seldom  be  left 
twice,  if  given  a  fair  chance  of  getting  away  with  the  body. 
Others  say,  that  being  left,  makes  dog  hounds  especially, 
jealous,  and  causes  them  to  run  cunning.  I  should  draft  those 
which  are  often  left.     (Editor). 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      81 


south.  He  was  naturally  very  much  annoyed, 
as  nothing  disturbs  a  Whin  covert  more  than 
this.  It  seems  to  make  the  foxes  suspicious, 
the  wind  is  let  into  their  previously  snug 
quarters  ;  also  perhaps,  as  the  rides  would 
facilitate  shooting,  the  man  with  a  gun  is  more 
often  in  the  covert. 

One  day  in  October,  Mr.  Booth  very 
materially  assisted  his  hounds. 

They  were  at  the  New  Whin,  Baldersby, 
which  was  very  thick,  and  although  there 
were  two  or  three  foxes  in  it,  neither 
they  or  the  hounds  could  make  much  head- 
way, so  thick  was  the  undergrowth.  After 
about  an  hour  and  a  half's  work,  he  saw  a 
cub  which  looked  as  if  it  had  had  about 
enough,  so  he  got  off  his  horse  and  caught 
it ;   holloaed  his  hounds  to  him,  and  killed  it. 

He  had  prickly  recollections  of  this  day 
the  following  season,  when  he  happened  to  be 
wearing  the  same  pair  of  Bedford  cord 
breeches  again. 

While  trudging  about  the  covert  on  foot 
they  had  got  well  studded  with  soft  gorse 
pricks.  These,  although  not  felt  at  the  time, 
had,  with  a  summer's  rest,  dried  and  hard- 
ened, and  in  this  the  following  year,  it  was 
like  sitting  on  the  ' '  business  end  of  many 
tin  tacks.'' 

Wire  is  supposed  to  be  a  somewhat  modem 
curse,  but  in  November  of  this  year,  Mr. 
Booth  notes  that  Mr.  S.  Powell  got  a  bad 
fall   over   some,   near   Reedholmes   covert. 

December  the   18th  seems  to    have  been 


82      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


a  very  hard  day,  although  no  great  actual 
point  was  made. 

Met  at  Killerby.  Found  at  Oran,  and  ran 
up  the  Swale  side  to  Catterick  Bridge,  being 
headed  here  he  turned  back  over  the  race- 
course up  to  Catterick  village,  crossed  the 
Swale  (which  was  in  flood)  to  Scorton  village, 
past  the  north  end  of  this,  and  then  straight 
for  Uckerby  Whin,  within  a  few  fields  of  which 
hounds  were  run  out  of  scent.  Time  fifty- 
seven   minutes. 

Hounds  went  back  to  Hornby  Castle. 
Found  in  Kennel  Whin,  and  ran  across  to 
Sandholes  Whin,  then  up  to  Tunstall  Whin, 
through  this  on  to  Scotton  village,  then 
bearing  left-handed,  by  Cragg  Lane  End  and 
Sandholes  to  the  Decoy  at  Hornby;  from 
there  into  Langthorne  W^ood,  and  on  into 
Goskins  ;  being  headed  here  he  turned  back 
to  Holtby  Grange,  and  was  lost  in  some 
buildings  there,  after  one  hour  and  twenty 
minutes  hunting. 

Found  again  at  Kirkby  Fleetham  Whin,  and 
ran  by  the  Mill  to  Jackal  Wood,  on  through 
Goskins,  across  Ainderby  Myers,  heading 
for  Langthorne  Wood  ;  but  hounds  had  to 
be  stopped,  after  hunting  one  hour  and  fifteen 
minutes,  as  it  was  quite  dark. 

The  actual  ''points'*  of  this  day's  work 
are  as  follows. 

Oran  to  Uckerby  -  -  4|  miles 

Kennel  Whin  to  Scotton  village  -  1|  miles 
Scotton  village  to  Langthorne  -  5  miles 
Langthorne  to  Goskins     -  -  1 J  miles 


The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908      83 


Goskins  to  Holtby  -  -  1^  miles 

Kirkby  Fleetham  Mill  to  Lang- 

thorne  -  -  -  2|  miles 

Oran  Whin  provided  another  good  fox  on 
the  12th  February. 

Found  at  once  and  went  across  the  Leeming 
Lane  to  Goskins  Wood,  turned  left-handed 
from  here  and  ran  to  Kirkby  Fleetham  Whin  ; 
past  this,  on  through  the  Scruton  coverts, 
and  crossed  the  river  Swale  at  the  south-east 
end  of  them  ;  straight  up  to  Thrintoft  Whin, 
leaving  it  on  the,  right  by  Masterman's 
and  Custs'  Plantations  to  Streatlam  Whin; 
through  the  village,  on  to  the  Tile  Shed 
Plantation,  direct  up  to  the  lodge  gates 
at  Pepper  Arden;  from  here  he  turned 
left-handed  and  ran  towards  Whitwell 
Grange,  but  not  having  the  strength  to  reach 
the  Kiplin  Woods,  retraced  his  steps  towards 
Pepper  Arden,  and  hounds  ran  into  him  in 
the  open,  after  two  hours  and  ten  minutes. 

The  first  hour  up  to  Thrintoft,  and  the 
last  twenty  minutes  of  the  run  were  very 
fast. 

The  season  closed  on  the  6th  April,  there 
having  been  only  one  blank  day,  and 
twenty-one  brace  of  foxes  were  killed. 

1872 — 73.  During  this  season  no  run  of 
any  extraordinary  merit  took  place  ;  although 
there  were  some  long  and  persevering  hunting 
ones. 

Mr.  Booth  describes  in  his  diary,  March 
12th  of  1873,  as  the  hardest  day's  work  he 
ever  had. 


84      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Hounds  met  at  Thirsk  Station.  Found  a 
fox  in  Carlton  Rush,  ran  through  Bamlett's 
Whin  towards  Topcliffe,  and  lost.  Went 
back,  and  found  in  Bamlett's  Whin,  but  could 
make  nothing  of  this  fox.  Crossed  the  river 
Swale  and  tried  the  Baldersby  Coverts,  with- 
out finding.  Went  on  to  the  Hutton  Moor 
coverts ;  found  in  the  High  Covert,  and 
crossing  the  Leeming  Lane  ran  by  Windsor 
Castle  Inn  towards  Cundall,  then  making  a 
right-handed  turn  passed  Kirby  Windmill 
and  ran  out  of  scent,  heading  towards  the 
Newby   Hall   coverts. 

Hutton  Moor  coverts  were  again  drawn, 
and  furnished  a  fox,  which  ran  a  ring  out 
towards  Blows  Hall  and  back  to  the  Moor, 
but  was  pushed  from  there  and  ran  past  Dish- 
forth  to  the  Black  Wood  at  Baldersby  ;  then 
on  to,  but  did  not  enter,  Leckby  Carr ;  past 
Cundall,  and  turned  right-handed  for  Norton- 
le-Clay  pointing  for  Kirby  Hill ;  again  he 
changed  his  mind  and  returned  on  the  north 
side  of  Milby  Whin,  past  Humburton,  and 
forward  to  Brafferton,  where  he  got  to  ground 
near  the  North  Eastern  Railway  Bridge, 
after  a  run  of  two  hours  and  ten  minutes. 

Mr.  Booth,  Mr.  Clare  Vyner,  Mr.  George 
Peirson,  Mr.  Peter  Stevenson,  and  one  or  two 
more,  were  the  only  ones  to  see  the  end  of 
this  very  hard  day. 

As  it  was  then  7  p.m.,  Mr.  Booth  took  the 
hounds  on  to  Newby  Hall,  where  his  first 
whipper-in  had  already  gone;  gave  horses 
and  hounds  some  gruel,  and  sent  them  off,  a 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      85 


twenty  mile  ride  to  the  kennels,  where  they 
arrived  about  midnight,  One  of  the  Hunt 
horses  had  to  be  left  at  Cundall,  and  died 
there;  Mr.  George  Peirson  never  rode  his 
again.  Mr.  Booth  stayed  the  night  at  Newby, 
and  the  following  morning  as  he  did  not  appear 
about  nine  o'clock  to  breakfast,  Mr.  Vyner 
told  his  butler  to  let  Mr.  Booth  know  that 
it  was  ready.  The  reply  was  **  I  think,  sir, 
Mr.  Booth  will  be  nearly  at  Killerby  by  now, 
as  he  left  here  at  half-past  six.'' 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  season,  to  the 
regret  of  all,  Mr.  Booth  decided  to  give  up 
hunting  the  hounds  himself.  Always  a  heavy 
man,  he  had  increased  in  weight,  and  found 
it  difficult  to  mount  himself — as  he  would 
have  liked,  and  deemed  desirable. 

His  kennel  huntsman,  Alfred  Thatcher, 
was  put  on  as  huntsman,  and  Robert  Walke 
took  his  place  as  first  whipper-in. 

The  season  closed  on  the  19th  April.  There 
was  only  one  blank  day,  and  ten  brace  of  foxes 
were  killed. 

1873 — 74.  This  was  the  best  cub-hunting 
season  Mr.  Booth  had,  there  being  a  capital 
show  of  foxes  in  all  parts.  Hounds  were 
out  twenty-one  days,  killing  ten  and  a  half 
brace,  and  marking  three  brace  to  ground. 

During  November,  the  new  Whin  coverts 
at  Brough  Hall  and  Solberg  were  drawn  for 
the  first  time,  and  each  provided  a  fox. 
Happy  omen  !  !  It  is  sometimes  difficult 
to  know  how  to  disturb  a  fox  out  of  a  culvert 
or  short  drain,  when  there  is  no  terrier  on 


86      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


the  spot.  I  have  seen  many  ways  tried, 
more  often  unsuccessful  than  the  reverse. 
Mr.  Booth  mentions  one  which  he  used  with 
advantage — and  which  to  me  is  novel :  that 
is,  to  fire  three  or  four  cartridges,  with  powder 
only,  down  the  culvert  or  drain.  A  gun  and 
cartridges   are   generally   pretty   handy. 

On  the  19th  November,  there  was  a  good 
and  hard  day.  After  a  two  hours  hunt  from 
Bamlett's  Whin,  killing  their  fox  near  the 
house  at  Baldersby  Park,  hounds  found  in 
Busby  Stoop  Brickyard  Plantation,  and 
running  by  Sand  Hutton  village,  to  the  south 
of  Carlton  village,  through  Carlton  Rush, 
reached  Topcliffe  station.  Here  the  fox  was 
probably  headed,  as  he  returned  on  the  west 
of  the  Topcliffe  and  Busby  Stoop  road  to  the 
covert  where  found  ;  then  up  the  Swale  banks 
to  what  is  now  Sand  Hutton  Whin,  back  from 
this  point  to  the  New  Whin  at  Baldersby, 
through  Ainderby  Quernhow  to  the  Holme 
coverts  and  on  to  Pickhill  village.  Turning 
from  here,  he  crossed  the  Teeming  Tane, 
straight  to  Carthorpe ;  through  Camp  Hill  and 
Kirklington  Woods  to  Kirklington  village, 
where  he  got  into  some  farm  buildings,  and 
as  it  was  by  now  quite  dark,  Mr.  Booth  had 
most  reluctantly  to  leave  him. 
'  On  the  14th  January,  Mr.  Booth  describes 
the  following  as  the  straightest  and  quickest 
* '  forty  minutes  ' '  he  ever  saw.  Found  in 
the  New  Whin  at  Baldersby,  ran  past  Howe, 
the  Holme  coverts,  Pickhill  Wood,  Smear- 
holmes   and    Gatenby    Woods,    to    Newton 


The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908      87 


House  ;  a  six  mile  point.  Hounds  unfortun- 
ately got  on  to  the  line  of  a  fresh  fox  at 
Newton   House,  and  were   stopped. 

The  last  meet  of  this  season  was  held  at 
Catterick,  on  the  11th  April,  when  Sir  John 
Lawson,  of  Brough,  on  behalf  of  the  members 
of  the  Hunt  and  other  friends,  presented  to 
Mr.  Booth  a  silver  hunting  horn,  and  to  Miss 
M.  A.  Gardom,  his  future  wife,  a  handsome 
bracelet,  as  a  token  of  their  goodwill  and 
esteem  for  him,  on  his  approaching  marriage.* 

There  were  four  blank  days  this  season, 
and  twenty  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes  were 
killed. 

1874—75.  On  the  12th  November,  a 
' '  Bedale  Hunt  ' '  dinner  was  held  at  the 
Black  Swan  Hotel,  Bedale,  at  which  eighty 
members  were  present.  Lord  Feversham  in 
the  chair :  and  Mr.  Booth  was  presented  with 
a  silver  dessert  service,  a  wedding  present 
from  the   ''  Hunt.'' 

On  the  29th  March,  two  cubs  were  killed  by 
hounds.  An  early  date  to  be  above  ground  : 
or  perhaps  they  were  **  stub-bred.'' 

It  is  said  that  * '  everything  comes  to  him 
who  waits."  Sir  John  Lawson  and  Mr. 
Booth  had  a  ' '  long  wait  "  for  a  fox  on  the 
10th  April,  when  hounds  met  at  Kilgram 
Bridge. 

They  drew  Eelmire  Wood,  Ellington  Firth, 
Ellingstring  Plantation,  Witton  Fell,  Clifton 
Castle,  Thorp  Perrow,  Kirklington  and  Camp 
Hill  Woods,  and  Gatenby  Wood  blank;  just 

*  Mr.  Booth  was  married  on  the  28th  April,  1874. 


88      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


saving  the  day  by  finding  a  fox  at  the 
Old  Whin,  Newton  House.  The  two  above 
mentioned  were  the  only  ones  who  stayed 
on  till  the  end  of  the  day.  The  last  day's 
hunting  was  on  the  21st  April.  There  was 
only  one  blank  day,  and  twelve  and  a  half 
brace  of  foxes  were  killed. 

1875—76.  12th  October.  Found  a  fox 
for  the  first  time  in  Lord  Downe's  new  whin 
covert,  at  Ripon  Parks. 

On  the  24th  November,  there  was  a 
good  day's  sport.  After  finding  a  brace 
of  foxes  in  the  Black  Wood,  at  Baldersby, 
which  were  so  persistently  headed  by  the 
footpeople  that  nothing  could  be  done 
with  them ;  hounds  hit  off  the  line  of 
a  fox  in  the  Park,  which  ran  by  Azenby 
and  Dishforth,  through  the  north  end  of 
Leckby  Carr  down  to  the  Swale  ;  turning 
from  the  river,  he  bore  right-handed  by 
Cundall  village,  over  Cundall  Bottoms,  leav- 
ing Milby  Whin  on  the  left,  past  Kirby  Hill 
Church  to  Boroughbridge.  Being  headed 
here,  he  doubled  back  past  the  railway  station, 
and  ran  down  the  river  side  as  far  as  Elling- 
thorpe,  where  he  crossed.  In  order  to  get 
over  the  river  the  ''field"  had  to  go  back  to 
Boroughbridge,  and  did  not  see  the  hounds 
again  until  they  were  close  to  Grafton  Whin 
in  the  York  and  Ainsty  country.  From  this 
covert  the  fox  turned  away,  and  ran  parallel 
to  the  river  back  to  Boroughbridge.  Close 
to  the  bridge  here,  a  fresh  fox  jumped  up 
in  view  of  hounds,  and  they  ran  back  with 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      89 


him  nearly  to  Grafton  and  round  again  to 
Ellingthorpe,  when  he  crossed  the  river 
almost  at  the  same  place  as  the  original  fox 
from  Baldersby. 

Hounds  were  stopped  and  taken  back  to 
the  run  fox,  which  had  been  seen  dead  beat  in 
the  Park  at  Boroughbridge  Hall.  They  hit 
off  his  line,  and  after  running  a  short  distance 
down  the  river  bank  rolled  him  over,  fox 
and  hounds  all  tumbling  into  the  river.  The 
fox  floated  a  short  distance  but  eventually 
sank,  so  hounds  were  unfortunately  deprived 
of  their  well-earned  blood.  An  onlooker  swam 
into  the  river  to  try  and  recover  the  fox,  but 
the  water  was  so  cold  he  had  to  give  up  the 
attempt. 

On  24th  January,  there  was  a  capital 
gallop  from  Wild  Wood. 

The  fox  went  away  on  the  south  side  up  to 
Finghall,  then  past  the  station  there,  through 
the  bottom  of  Ruswick  Gill  over  Newton-le- 
Willows  Bottoms,  past  Grazing  Nook  Farm 
due  north,  by  Hesselton  and  Cote  House  to 
the  east  end  of  Thornhill's  Whin  ;  from  here 
he  bore  rather  westward,  leaving  Scotton 
whin  on  the  right,  over  Newfound-England 
Gill,  on  to  Hauxwell  Moor.  His  strength 
was  now  faihng,  and  he  doubled  back  over 
Laver  Gill,  up  Newfound-England  Gill  on  to 
the  Richmond  Road,  where  hounds  ran  into 
him  a  short  distance  from  the  four  cross- 
roads, close  to  Barden  village  ;  after  a  bril- 
liant gallop  of  sixty-two  minutes.  There 
was  no  check,  hounds  having  the  best  of  it 
the  whole  way. 


90      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


29th  March.  A  curious  accident  occurred 
to  a  hound  this  day. 

A  fox  was  found  in  Vicars  Moor,  and  after 
running  for  some  time  on  the  east  of  the 
Swale,  crossed  the  river  close  to  Maunby 
Ferry  and  got  to  ground  in  Smearholmes, 
just  in  front  of  the  hounds. 

The  leading  one,  '  Rambler,'  having  got 
partially  into  the  ''earth,''  was,  in  the  excite- 
ment, worried  by  the  rest  of  the  pack,  before 
the  first  horseman  (John  Thomas  Robinson, 
of  Leckby)  could  stop  them.  He,  seeing 
hounds  worrying  something,  and  not  know- 
ing of  the  ''  earth,"  thought  they  had  killed, 
and  cheered  them  on  in  the  breaking  up  of 
their  fox. 

It  is  almost  needless  to  add  that 
'  Rambler  '    was   an   excellent   hound. 

On  the  4th  April,  there  was  a  very  hard 
day  on  the  Moor  edge ;  around  Swinton,  Ilton, 
EUingstring,  Agra,  Jervaulx  and  Witton  Fell. 
A  leash  of  foxes  was  killed,  Thatcher  got 
through  three  horses,  finished  the  day  on 
foot,  and  Mr.  Booth  had  to  leave  both  his 
out  for  the  night,  with  Mr.  Fitz  Ray,  at 
Finghall. 

Hunting  ended  on  the  22nd  April,  it  having 
been  the  best  season  for  many  years.  Hounds 
were  out  eighty-eight  days  and  killed  twenty- 
two  brace  of  foxes.     No  blank  days. 

1876 — 77.  On  January  1st  there  was 
a  capital  gallop,  although  unluckily,  hounds 
did  not  get  blood.  Found  in  Dalton's  Whin 
(near  Heslett's  Wood),  ran  across  the  railway. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      91 


through  Peter  Wood  direct  down  to  Noster- 
field,  where  being  headed  the  fox  indined 
towards  Norton  Conyers  ;  but  soon  making 
good  his  point,  went  past  the  west  end  of 
Thornborough  village  through  Kirklington 
and  Camp  Hill  Woods ;  past  Carthorpe  village 
to  Hopetown  Nurseries,  over  the  Leeming 
Lane  to  Smearholmes  covert,  where  he 
tried  the  ''earths/'  but  finding  them  closed 
turned  through  Gatenby  Whin  and  Wood  to 
the  shrubberies  at  Newton  House.  Here, 
unfortunately,  the  * '  changeling  ' '  was  at 
home,  and  this  good  fox  lived  to  fight  another 
day.  Time  one  hour,  with  no  check  to 
speak  of  and  a  seven  mile  point.  Those 
who  really  saw  the  gallop  were  all  happy  ! 

January  15th  again  provided  a  brisk  day's 
sport.  Found  in  Gatenby  Whin,  and  ran 
towards  the  river  Swale,  then  back  through 
Smearholmes,  across  the  Leeming  Lane,  by 
Hopetown  Nurseries  to  Kirklington  village, 
direct  to  Wath ;  leaving  Middleton  Quernhow 
on  the  left.  From  here  it  looked  as  if  Hutton 
Moor  must  be  the  point,  but  making  a  left- 
handed  turn  he  headed  towards  Baldersby, 
but  unable  to  reach  these  coverts  was  pulled 
down  in  the  open,  after  a  first  rate  hour  and 
twenty  minutes.  A  second  fox  was  found 
in  Pickhill  Wood,  which  ran  across  to  Theak- 
ston  Grange,  but  being  there  headed,  turned 
back  through  Gatenby  Wood  to  the  shrub- 
beries at  Newton  house.  No  ' '  changeling  ' ' 
being  present  on  this  occasion,  he  had  to 
move  on,  and  reached  Leeming  village,  from 


92      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


which  he  turned  left-handed  to  Exelby,  went 
over  the  Beck  towards  Firby  Hall,  again  bore 
left-handed  for  the  Low  Coverts  at  Thorp 
Perrow  ;  before  he  could  reach  which,  hounds 
ran  into  him  in  the  Park.  Forty- two  minutes, 
very  fast.  The  season  finished  on  the  9th 
April.  There  were  five  blank  days,  and 
eighteen  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes  were 
killed. 

1877 — 78.  Although  this  was  a  good 
season's  sport,  twenty-eight  and  a  half  brace 
of  foxes  being  killed,  and  there  being  no 
blank  day  ;  I  find  only  one  run,  which  I 
think  is  worth  recording.  Found  at  Uckerby 
Whin,  ran  across  to  Halnaby  and  from  there 
to  Clervaux  Castle  ;  then  on  through  Allan's 
Whin  pointing  for  (Jukle  ?  ?),  being  headed 
at  this  point,  the  fox  turned  back  through 
the  gardens  at  Halnaby  and  ran  almost  the 
identical  line  back  to  Uckerby  Whin.  There 
was  no  pause  here,  and  hounds  pushed  on 
with  their  fox  up  to  Scorton  station,  through 
Crossbills  covert,  over  the  Atlay  Hill  and 
Scorton  road,  past  the  Forest  Farm,  and  just 
short  of  Whitwell,  ran  into  him  after  a 
capital  hunt  of  one  hour  and  fifty  minutes. 
At  the  beginning  of  this  season  Alfred 
Thatcher  returned  to  the  Brocklesby,  suc- 
ceeding Nimrod  Long  as  huntsman  to  this 
pack  of  Hounds ;  and  Mr.  Booth  engaged  T. 
Perry  from  the  Vale  of  White  Horse  in  his 
place.  He  began  Hfe  in  Lord  Poltimore's 
service,  and  was  for  four  seasons  a  whipper- 
in  to  Lord  Shannon. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      93 


Barney  Spence,  a  great  character,  and  still 
alive,  was  promoted  from  second  to  first 
whipper-in. 

In  the  early  part  of  Mr.  Booth's  Master- 
ship, when  foxes  were  rather  scarce,  a  bob- 
tailed  one,  from  the  Scotton  neighbourhood, 
saved  him  seven  blank  days.  He  always 
went  the  same  line,  and  got  to  ground  in 
about  fifteen  minutes  ;  but  Mr.  Booth  would 
not  allow  his  sanctuary  to  be  stopped,  as 
under  the  existing  circumstances  he  thought 
the  reverse  of  the  proverb  ''  A  bird  in  the 
hand  is  worth  two  in  the  bush,''  was  best ; 
and  that  one  fox  in  front  of  hounds  was 
worth  two  in  their  mouths.  Matters  however 
mended  considerably,  and  as  has  been  written 
he  was  able  to  kill  twenty-eight  and  a  half 
brace  during  his  last  season,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  getting  many  new  whin  coverts  laid 
down  during  the  eleven  years  he  was  Master 
of  the  Hounds. 

He  often  makes  a  note  in  his  hunting  diary 
that  after  a  run  fox  had  been  chased,  or  even 
turned  by  a  cur  dog,  hounds  could  hardly  ever 
carry  any  head.  This  is  a  well-known  fact  to  all 
huntsmen,  but  I  fancy  the  reason  is  a  ' '  sealed 
book  ' '  to  them  and  many  others.  Can  it 
be  a  change  of  scent  ?  Or  is  it  that  the 
huntsman  sees  or  hears  that  his  fox  has  been 
so  treated,  lifts  his  hounds  and  thus  upsets 
them  ? 

At  the  end  of  this  season  Mr.  Booth  an- 
nounced his  intention  of  giving  up  the 
hounds,  and  very  much  regret  was  felt  at 


94      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


his  decision.  During  the  eleven  seasons  he 
had  been  Master,  he  had  worked  hard  to 
further  the  interests  of  fox-hunting,  and  had 
got  together  a  very  workmanlike  pack  of 
hounds. 


CHAPTER    V. 

1878—84. 
Major  Henry  F.  Dent. 

"  Some  people  call  a  man  a  Master  of  'ounds  what 
sticks  an  'orn  in  his  saddle  and  blows  when  he  likes, 
but  leaves  everything  else  to  the  'untsman.  That's 
not  the  sort  of  Master  of  'ounds  I  mean  to  be." — 

Surtees. 

On  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Booth,  several 
gentlemen  were  mentioned  as  likely  to  take 
his  place,  among  them  being  Lord  Castle- 
reagh.  The  Honourable  George  Lascelles, 
Mr.  R.  Bell,  and  Mr.  George  ElHot;  but  a 
successor  was  finally  found  in  Major  H.  F. 
Dent,  who  had  recently  retired  from  the 
7th  Dragoon  Guards.  He  took  up  his  resi- 
dence at  Bedale  Grange. 

It  is  sometimes  instructive  to  see  our- 
selves as  others  see  us,  and  the  following 
description  tells  how  the  special  corres- 
pondent of  the  *  *  Field  ' '  in  the  summer 
of  1878,  viewed  us. 

' '  The  Bedale  country  is  one  of  the  best 
adapted  for  Fox-hunting  in  the  North  of 
England,  a  few  more  good  coverts,  a  few 
more  good  foxes,  with  the  right  sort  to  pre- 


96      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


serve  them,  being  the  only  desideratum  to 
render  it  first-rate  among  the  *  provincials.' 
The  interests  of  pheasants  appear  to  be 
paramount,  and  the  preservation  of  foxes 
a  secondary  consideration;  so  that  Mr. 
Velveteen  is  rather  too  much  in  evidence, 
and  the  following  lines  unfortunately  have 
sometimes  proved  too  true. 

"  His  oath  that  in  one  covert 
He  a  brace  of  foxes  saw, 
Is  the  never  failing  prelude 
That  betokens  a  blank  draw." 

The  hounds  are  a  very  useful  wear  and  tear 
sort,  lighter  in  bone  and  less  even  in  height 
than  some  packs,  but  for  all  that  an  im- 
proving lot. 

A  wonderful  hound  is  '  Andover '  entering 
on  his  ninth  season,  as  fresh  as  ever  on  his  legs, 
and  not  even  a  toe  down.  Another  curiosity 
is  '  Birthday' .  She  began  her  career  with  the 
York  and  Ainsty.  One  day  the  horse  ridden 
by  a  member  of  the  Bedale  Hunt,  while 
hunting  with  the  York  and  Ainsty,  lashed 
out  and  smashed  her  leg  into  splinters. 
Convinced  that  the  bitch  would  be  of  no 
further  use.  Colonel  Fairfax  (the  Master  of 
the  York  and  Ainsty)  sent  word  to  Mr. 
Booth,  that  as  one  of  his  '  field  '  had  maimed 
a  hound  he  had  better  send  for  it.  Mr. 
Booth,  nothing  loth,  promptly  did  so  ;  and 
'Birthday'  was  removed  to  the  Bedale 
Kennels,  where  the  splintered  limb  was  so 
skilfully  set  up  by  Thatcher  (Mr.  Booth's 
huntsman),  that  she  became  as  sound  as  a 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      97 


bell  of  brass — and  is  still  running  at  the  head 
of  the  pack/' 

Major  Dent  retained  Mr.  Booth's  hunts- 
man and  first  whipper-in,  T.  Perry  and  B. 
Spence,  putting  on  only  a  new  second 
whipper-in,  G.  Burrill. 

A  * '  Bedale  ' '  bard  had  not  been  inspired 
for  many  years  to  write  about  those  who 
hunted,  but  in  1878,  the  spirit  came  upon 
Sir  Charles  Dodsworth,  and  he  published 
the  following  poem;  which  describes  very 
accurately  the  * '  field ' '   of  this  date. 

*  *  Hurrah  for  the  Bedale  !    a  health  to  the  name 
Which  shall  lead  them  with  honour  and  cherish  their 

fame, 
And  long  may  our  'Field'  see  bold  Dent  with  the  horn 
Which  Milbank  and  Booth  have  so  gallantly  borne. 

From  the  moors  to  the  Wiske,  from  the  Yore  to  the 

Swale, 
On  the  broad  plain  of  Mowbray,  in  green  Wensleydale, 
From  marshes  of  Cowton,  to  craggs  of  Hackfall, 
The  hearts  of  all  hearers  should  leap  at  the  call. 

Our  Master,  you'll  take  it  for  granted  that  he 
Is  all  that  a  Master  of  foxhounds  should  be. 
And  Perry  has  shewn  himself  active  and  smart 
Since  the  flesh-pots  of  Brocklesby  stole  Thatcher's 
heart. 

Comes  Scrope^  from  grey  halls  on  the  bright  slopes 

of  Yore 
On  a  line  of  his  own,  ever  seen  to  the  fore  ) 
That  heir  of  high  honours  need  never  aspire 
To  improve  on  his  title  of  Simon  the  Squire. 

1  Mr.  Simon  T.  Scrope.     Died  1896. 


98      The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


From  Brough,  Sir  John  Lawson  won't  fail  to  attend 
And  whatever  the  distance,  he'll  stay  to  the  end. 
Should  he  meet  with  misfortunes  he  recks  not  of  that, 
He  has  faith  in  the  strength  of  his  broad  bottomed 
hat. 

And  there's  our  late  Master,^  who  cut  us  adrift — 
Sixteen  stone  in  the  saddle,  takes  something  to  lift ; 
But  his  horses  will  follow  like  dogs  at  his  call, 
Give  him  time — at  the  finish,  he'll  make  you  look 
small. 

His  brother,^   the  sailor,  so  cheery  of  heart 

In  the  mirth  of  our  meetings,  takes  prominent  part ; 

If  you  want  a  warm  welcome,  why,  go  to  Oran, 

If  you  want  a  kind  friend,  why,  your  host  is  the  man. 

And  there  are  the  Dawnays,*  that  neat  little  group 
Of  good-looking  brothers,  a  hard  riding  troop  ; 
Their  fair  Lady-mother^   we  gratefully  thank 
That  the  Baldersby  coverts  are  never  drawn  blank. 

Conversing  with  Peirson,^  alongside  rides  Lane, 
Whose  woods  are  sly  Reynard's  peculiar  domain ; 
And  Dal  ton'   uncertain,  who  whether  he'll  ride 
With  the  Bedale  or  Bramham,  can  never  decide. 

And  Elliot^  on  whom  the  Conservative  whip 

Will  rely  if  his  party  seem  likely  to  trip. 

Though  he'll  find  the  stout  Member  a  rum'un  to 

bring 
To  the  post,  if  we've  plenty  of  foxes  next  Spring. 


2  Mr.  John  B.  Booth,  of  Killerby. 

3  Mr.    William  Booth,   of  Oran,  who  often  acted  as  deputy 
Master. 

4  The  Honbles.  Guy,  Eustace,  Geoffrey,  and  Francis. 

5  Widow  of  William  Henry,  7th  Viscount  Downe. 

6  Mr  George  Peirson,  of  Baldersby,  Mr.  Sydney  L.  Lane,  who 
married  the  widow  of  the  7th  Viscount  Downe. 

7  Mr.  John  Dalton,  of  Sleningford  Park. 

8  Mr.  George  Elliot,  M.P.     M.F.H.,  1884. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908      99 


There  is  one  we  shall  often  recall  to  the  mind 
Stricken  down  for  a  season  by  fortune  unkind, 
Which  has  snatched  from  the  sport  which  he  ever 

held  dear 
A  youth,^  who  for  humour,  had  never  his  peer. 

And  here  should  his  Reverence  of  Finghall  relate 
How  he  used  to  be  known  as  a  dapper  light  weight  j 
Or  you,  stately  Rector  of  Scruton  discourse — 
For  you  can,  if  you  will — on  the  points  of  a  horse. 

But  see  there's  Major  Bell,^''  of  Northumbrian  fame, 
So  youthful  a  man,  for  his  age,  you  can't  name ; 
Then  Garrett, ^^  from  Crakehall,   and  with  him  on 

leave. 
His  Lancer  or  Linesman,  we  love  to  receive. 

In  a  phaeton  and  pair,  by  her  cheery-faced  spouse. 
Spick  and  span,  at  the  covert  side,  sits  Mrs.  Rouse } 
At  Firby  she  rules  merry  mistress,  and  he 
A  disciple  of  Nimrod,  as  firm  as  need  be. 

Mrs.  Radcliffe  behold,  all  alert  for  a  start. 
No  weather  or  distance  can  daunt  her  brave  heart  ; 
With  her  husband  as  eager  for  sport  as  his  wife, 
Beside  them.  Miss  Staveley^^  prepared  for  the  strife. 

And  see  Mrs.  St.  Paul,^^  with  her  brother  as  squire. 
No  horseman  to  beat  her  you'll  find  in  the  Shire  j 
When  the  meet  is  near  Swinton,  its  Lady^"*  is  there — 
But  Oh  shame !  Mrs.  Robson,^^  to  sell  your  good  mare. 


9  Mr  Fitz  Ray,  of  Finghall. 

10  Major  Bell,  of  Aiskew. 

11  Major  Garrett.  16th  Lancers,  of  Crakehall. 

12  Miss  Staveley,  of  Old  Slenmgford  Hall. 

13  Sister  of  Mr.  John  Dalton,  of  Sleningford  Park. 

14  Lady  Lavinia   Bertie,   who  married  Mr.  R.    Bickersteth, 
son  of  the  late  Bishop  of  Ripon. 

15  Mrs.  Robson,  of  Crakehall. 


100    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


^*Then  Sir  Charles,  the  eccentric,  with  chatterbox  Fred, 
And  Matthew,  Oxonian,  just  out  of  bed  ; 
From  rook-cradled    Thornton,  their   sister^'  would 

speed, 
But  it's  seldom  the  brothers  will  lend  her  a  steed. 

And  there  is  the  Colonel,^^  mistake  him  who  can. 
That  ever  vivacious  and  popular  man  ; 
The  Russians  did  well,  when  they  spared  him  to  grace 
Our  ballrooms  and  meets,  with  his  debonnaire  face. 

There  is  Hutton,^^  once  Westminster's  youngest  M.P., 
Whom  Father  some  day  of  the  House  we  may  see. 
With  his  brother,  and  Carter^°  who  fought  in  the  van. 
When  troubles  were  thickest  in  far  Hindustan. 

Fair  Kiplin  and  Carpenter  met  but  to  part, 
And  for  Vyner,^^  the  Turf  has  first  claim  on  his  heart  j 
But  fox-beloved  Bonvilles'  plantations  of  larch 
Send  the  Chairman,^  quintessence  of  new  pink  and 

starch. 
There's  Robinson^^  dead  on  short  cuts,  and  young 

Marr 
From  Thirsk,  who  escaped  without  even  a  scar, 
After  nearly  an  hour,  every  moment  of  which 
He  seemed  destined  to  drown  in  that  bottomless 

ditch. 

And  that  sprucest  of  bankers^^ — the  sightmakes  one 

yearn 
To  have  shares  in  what  must  be  a  pa5dng  concern  ; 

16  The  brothers  Dodsworth  of  Thornton- Watlass. 

17  Lady  Beresford-Peirse. 

18  Colonel  The  Hon.  A.  Cathcart,  late  Grenadier  Guards. 

19  Mr.  John  Hutton  of  Solberg. 

20  Captain  Charles  Carter  (late  58th  Bengal  Native  Infantry). 

21  Mr.  R.  C.Vyner,  of  Newby  Hall.     • 

22  Mr.  J.  R.  Hildyard,  Chairman  of  Quarter  Sessions. 

23  Mr.   J.   T.    Robinson,    a   farmer  from  Leckby,  with  ex- 
cellent hands,  and  a  capital  man  to  hounds. 

24  Mr.  Gerald  Duncombe.     Son  of  the  late  Dean  of  York. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    101 


I  should  think  that  no  trouble  could  ever  displace 
The  smile  of  content  on  his  prosperous  face. 

Next  Lawson,^^  who  fearing  a  mistress  might  vex 
His  bachelor  household,  fights  shy  of  the  sex  ; 
With  Wilmot,^  the  quiet  and  skilful,  whose  horse 
Knows  his  rider  means  work,  when  a  fox  quits  the 
gorse. 

And  our  Argus-eyed  Chief  of  Police,'"  who  you'll  find 

With  Allan  and  Cecil  lags  never  behind  ; 

Or  the  Master-^  of  Larpool  who  reared  in  his  pride, 

A  palace,  the  glory  of  Hambledon-side. 

From  his  bride  and  new  home  comes  young  Bell,^* 

of  the  Hall, 
Near  Miss  Hodgson,=^°  whose  grey  will  not  give  her 

a  fall ; 
Then  Jester's  bold  owner, '^  and  some  who  were  rough 
On  the  neighbours  with  whom  they  claim  kinship  at 

Brough. 

And  Stobart^^  has  passed  through  the  park  gates  at 

Wath, 
Where  Sir  Bellingham's  manor  lies  hid  from  the  path, 
That  home  whence  old  Norton  who  dared  to  defy 
The  might  of  the  Tudors,  departed  to  die. 


25  Mr.  Andrew  Lawson,  of  Aldborough  Manor. 

26  Mr.  Wilmot-Smith,  brother-in  law  of  above. 

27  Captain  Hill  (late  Chief  Constable  of  the  North  Riding), 
and  his  two  sons. 

28  Captain  E.  Turton,  late  3rd  Dragoon  Guards,  of  Upsall 
Castle 

29  Mr.  Reginald  Bell,  The  Hall,  Thirsk. 

30  A  very  fine  rider,  sister  of  Mr.  Lumley  Hodgson,  of  Sand 
Hutton. 

31  Mr.  Teasdale  Hutchinson,  of  Catterick.  'His  horse  '  Jester* 
took  many  prizes  in  the  show  ring,  and  was  also  a  very 
fine  hunter  over  a  country. 

32  The  late  Mr.  William  Stobart,  then  tenant  of  Norton 
Conyers. 


102    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Where  legend  has  graven  a  mark  of  the  flight 
Of  CavaHer  Graham  from  Long-Marston  fight ; 
Such  memories  flit  through  my  brain  as  I  ride, 
On  the  white  shingle-beach  of  that  flat  waterside. 

Then  Turf-loving  Middleham  equips  one  or  two 
Of  the  world  renowned  trainers,  and  lads  not  a  few. 
Though  Providence  sometimes  to  sinners  permits 
Acquaintance  unsought  with  the  heels  of  their  'tits'. 

Mr.  Powell,^^  from  Sharow,  will  not  be  the  last 
Nor  the  Captain,  excitable,  hurrying  fast ; 
While  the  children  of  Sion-'^  are  safe  for  a  place. 
The  daughters  and  sons  of  a  fox-hunting  race. 

Then    there's    long    headed   Lascelles,"^  not    often 

thrown  out, 
In  business  or  sport  he  knows  what  he's  about. 
And  his  tact  and  suave  manner  have  kept  us  afloat 
When  the  Hunt  didn't  sail  in  a  very  safe  boat. 

See  RusselP^  the  restless,  the  moody,  the  gay, 
The  thoughtless  or  thoughtful,  I  doubt  which  to  say. 
Musician  and  sportsman,  he  rides  in  the  van 
And  the  charm  of  his  smile,  resist  it  who  can  ? 

Next  humorous  Crompton,^  so  fond  of  a  swim. 
On  a  brute  which  would  tire  any  other  but  him. 
His  eye  has  a  twinkle — I  think  if  he  chose 
He  could  kick  up  a  shine  with  the  secrets  he  knows. 


33  The  Rev.  S.  H.  Powell  and  his  son.  Captain  Sam 
Powell. 

34  The  children  of  the  Hon.  George  Lascelles,  of  Sion  Hall. 

35  The  Hon.  George  Lascelles.  Brother  of  the  4th  Earl  of 
Harewood,  The  2nd  Earl  having  been  Master  of  the 
present  "  Bramham  Moor  Hounds." 

36  Mr.  W.  D.  Russell,  of  Newton  House. 

37  Mr.  R.  Crompton,  of  Azerley  Chace. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     103 


You're  sure  to  see  Kirby,^  a  veteran  and  one, 
Whose  good  will  to  the  Chase  is  second  to  none, 
And  when  he  and  we  shall  be  laid  on  the  shelf 
The  Whin  which  he  planted,  will  speak  for  itself. 

Mr.  White^'^  at  a  distance  is  easy  to  tell. 
With  a  trifle  less  pace,  he  might  get  on  as  well ; 
While  dark-bearded  Smith  will  be  sailing  away 
With  Peacock,  who  skilfully  steers  his  bold  gray. 

But  forgive  me  brave  yeomen  whose  names  I  don't 

know, 
On  crocks  good  or  bad  you  are  good'uns  to  go, 
And  the  smallest  farm  lad,  on  his  pony  grass-fed. 
Is  keen  as  the  man  on  his  sleek  thorough-bred. 

A  cheer  for  the  strangers,  who  sometimes  will  share 
Our  sport,  from  the  Zetland,  the  York  or  elsewhere. 
May  we  find  a  good  fox  every  time  they  appear. 

There  was  Wynyard's  young  master,^"  who  flashed  on 

the  scene 
For  a  season  well  horsed,  ne'er  a  sportsman  more 

keen. 
And  as  Chesterfield  gained  the  applause  of  our  sires. 
So  his  air  was  the  theme  of  our  Richmondshire 

Squires. 

Then  the  Bridegroom^^  and  Member  of  North  Riding 

choice 
With  the  charm  of  the  Grahams  in  feature  and  voice; 
And  Crossley,"*"^  good  natured,  whose  wife  in  a  car 
Scandinavian,  would  drive  in  the  wake  of  our  war. 


38  A  sporting  grocer  of  Bedale,  and  real  good  friend  to  fox- 
hunting. 

39  A  hard  riding  farmer  from  Burrill. 

40  The  present  Lord  Londonderry,  who  rented  Kirkby 
Fleetham  Hall,  for  one  or  two  seasons,  when  Lord  Castle- 
reagh. 

41  The  late  Lord  Helmsley,  who  rented  Ainderby  Hall  for  a 
season.     M.P.  for  the  North  Riding. 

42  The  tenant  of  Aldburgh  Hall,  Masham. 


104    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


1878 — 79.  This  season  was  very  broken, 
frost  causing  the  loss  of  many  days  hunting. 
In  December  '78  and  January  '79,  hounds 
were  only  able  to  hunt  five  days,  and  the 
total  of  hunting  days  was  therefore  only 
sixty-seven.  Seventeen  and  a  half  brace  of 
foxes  being  killed. 

Three  days'  sport  during  the  season  seem 
worthy  of  record. 

On  October  11th,  found  in  Low  Park 
Wood,  very  quick  away  through  Low  Park 
Whin,  through  Horse  Close  Wood,  Camp  Hill 
and  Kirklington  Woods,  towards  Kirklington 
village  ;  bore  then  right-handed  by  Thorn- 
borough  to  Nosterfield,  up  the  hill  to  Peter 
Wood,  through  this,  over  the  railway  into 
Heslett's  Wood,  on  into  Tanfield  Banks,  and 
there  killed  after  one  hour  and  five  minutes 
without  a  check. 

Although  the  following  appears  to  have 
been  somewhat  an  unorthodox  sort  of  hunt,  it 
must  have  been  rather  a  good  one  ;  and 
the  account,  given  in  the  words  of  one  who 
took  the  chief  part  in  it,  is  quaint.  It  has 
been  sent  to  me  by  an  old  resident  in  East 
Witton  who  ' '  bagged  ' '  the  brush.  ' '  I 
right  to  give  yon  a  count  of  the  gallus  day 
with  the  Bedale  hounds  on  record,  in  1879. 
February  the  19th.  The  meet  was  at  Haux- 
well  Hall,  Colonel  Wades'  place,  and  a 
gallant  company  of  both  Lades  and  Gentle- 
men including  two  of  Miss  Elliotts  and 
about  seventy  horsemen.  After  trying  tow 
or  three  smole  plantations,  we  got  on  to  the 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     105 


open  on  Barden  Moore.  After  we  got  well 
over,  tow  of  the  right  sort  got  up,  and 
hounds  got  divided,  and  my  lot  we  had 
eight  hounds  and  as  grand  a  Fox  as  ever 
started  a  Chase,  and  we  had  nither  huntsman, 
nor  wip,  nor  Marster.  Reney  took  straight 
for  Newfound  England,  and  then  he  turned 
right  hand  pas  Drugen  111  (Druggon  Hill) 
farm,  and  past  pleasant  dole  (Pleasant  Dale) 
and  right  Down  for  Coubern  (Colburn)  Big 
Wood,  but  he  found  no  rest  theer,  oblige  tow 
change  is  quarters,  he  then  took  another 
rout,  he  tooke  right  past  Mr.  J  ages  (Mr. 
Jacques's),  Easby  Hall  and  over  the  railway 
and  over  Swale,  and  just  on  thee  rasecorse 
(at  Richmond).  Nowing  that  he  had  got 
in  tow  Lord  Zetland's  hunt,  he  thowght  he 
would  be  giving  him  a  round,  so  he  turn 
back  an  left  Richmon  on  thee  Left,  then 
came  pas  Holey  Hill  (Holy  Hill)  and  down  to 
Coubern  agane,  thee  pase  was  then  getting 
wery  weak,  as  both  Horses  and  Hound  and 
I  think  thee  fox  had  had  quite  plenty  off, 
as  there  was  only  five  Horse  men  Left,  but 
thee  Hounds  had  strength  to  force  him 
out  once  more,  then  right  over  front  of 
Holey  Hill  intow  a  Smail  Plantation  and 
Finished  as  galen  a  Fox  as  ever  gave  a  noble 
chase.  Only  tow  up  at  the  kill,  myself  and 
my  cind  (kind)  Frend,  F.  Bates  of  Tupgill, 
wer  both  up  together,  and  no  horse  could 
fice  thee  fence  in  where  he  lay  ded  But  I 
rode  close  hup  tow  thee  fence  and  threw 
myself  head  firs  throug  thee  fence  and  picke 


106    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Reney  up,  and  defeating  my  cind  friend  of 
thee  brush  wich  I  still  have  in  my  room, 
stuff.  But  we  did  not  fall  out  'bout  thee 
brush,  for  we  were  very  cind  friends  till  God 
coled  him  home/' 

On  the  22nd  March  ('79).  Met  at  Solberg. 
Found  at  once  in  the  New  Whin  covert 
and  ran  across  to  the  Bank  at  Newby-Wiske. 
Being  headed  here,  the  fox  turned  back 
right-handed  to  Maunby  village,  and  crossing 
the  Swale  pointed  for  Gatenby  village,  but 
not  liking  the  west  side  of  the  river,  re-crossed 
at  ''Bottle  neck,"  and  ran  over  the  big 
pastures  parallel  to  the  river,  up  to  Morton 
Bridge.  He  must  have  had  a  dash  of  otter 
blood  somehow,  as  again  he  crossed  the  Swale, 
where  the  Bedale  Beck  joins  the  river;  and 
skirting  Grimescar  Mill,  went  through  Aiskew 
Moor  Whin,  past  the  ''Leases,''  leaving  the 
Kennels  (then  just  below  the  Leases)  on  the 
right,  over  the  Scurff  Beck,  and  hounds  ran 
into  this  good  fox  in  the  open,  close  to  Kirk 
Bridge ;  after  a  capital  gallop  of  one  hour  and 
twenty  minutes.. 

12th    April.     Although    the    fox   hunter's 
delight  was  not  accomplished  on  this  date  ; 
that  is,  the  fair  and  square  death  of  a  fox 
after  a  good  hunt — yet  the  gallop  is  worth 
mention. 

Hounds  met  at  Kiplin ;  and  after  some  work 
about  there,  and  Pepper  Arden,  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  day;  found  in  the  Brick  Yard 
Plantation  near  Streatlam.  They  ran  sharp 
by  Langton  nearly  up  to  Thrintoft  village, 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    107 


turned  left-handed  by  Yafforth  Grange, 
skirting  Thrintoft  Whin,  to  Danby  Wiske 
village.  From  here  the  fox  hung  to  the 
river  Wiske,  and  passing  by  Reedholme 
covert,  went  on  to  Pepper  Arden,  from 
which  he  turned  back,  and  was  lost  near 
the  Brick  Yard  Plantation,  after  a  very  good 
run  of  an  hour  and  a  half. 

1879 — 80.  This  season  Major  Dent  hunted 
hounds  himself.  T.  Perry  remaining  on  as 
his  Kennel  Huntsman. 

It  was  a  fairly  good  year.  Hounds  being 
out  seventy-six  days  and  killing  twenty- 
four  brace  of  foxes. 

Two  runs  are  worth  recording. 

18th  December.     Met  at  Danby-on-Yore. 

Found  in  Forty  Acres  and  ran  across  to 
Newfound-England,  turned  from  there  back 
by  Hauxwell,  to  Forty  Acres  ;  up  to  this 
point  hounds  had  run  very  fast.  From 
here  there  was  a  very  pretty  hunt  round  by 
Bellerby  nearly  up  to  Leyburn  Shawl,  then 
turning  back,  hounds  ran  into  their  fox  at 
the  back  of  Mr.  Riddell's  house  at  Leyburn. 
Two  hours. 

12th  January.  Although  somewhat  cir- 
cular, this  was  a  good  day. 

Met  at  Sleningford  Park.  Found  in  the 
New  Whin  covert  at  Ripon  Parks,  and  ran 
very  sharp  west,  to  Azerley  Whin,  being 
headed  here  the  fox  turned  back,  and  leaving 
the  house  at  Sleningford  on  his  right  went 
down  to  the  banks  of  the  river  Yore  near 
Sleningford  Grange.     He   turned  from  here 


108    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


and  ran  on  to  Mickley,  forward  into  Hackfall, 
through  this,  out  towards  Swinton,  and  back 
into  Hackfall ;  from  there  to  Azerley  Whin, 
and  into  the  fox  covert  at  Sleningford. 
Passing  through  this  he  headed  for  his 
starting  place,  but  turning  left-handed  under 
Sleningford  Grange,  was  pulled  down  in  the 
Park  after  a  capital  good  hunt  of  two  hours 
and  twenty  minutes.  During  this  season  three 
separate  foxes  were  found — laid  up  in  trees. 

1880 — 81.  Major  Dent  again  this  year 
carried  the  horn,  and  although  greatly- 
interfered  with  by  frost  (being  stopped  nine 
weeks),  put  in  a  goodly  number  of  days 
hunting,  and  sport;  and  brought  twenty- 
six  brace  of  foxes  to  hand. 

The  best  point,  and  ending  to  a  hunt,  for 
this  season  seems  to  be  the  following. 

13th  December.  Found  in  Watlass  Whin, 
ran  by  Thornton  Watlass  church,  to  Thorp 
Perrow;  across  the  Park,  over  the  Snape 
Mires,  up  to  Exelby ;  then  on  to  Burneston, 
and  Oak  Tree  Farm.  Crossing  the  Leeming 
Lane  here,  hounds  went  very  quick  to  Pickhill 
Wood,  and  ran  into  their  fox  near  Pickhill 
village.      One  hour  and  twenty  minutes. 

This  was  a  first-rate  west  to  east  eight 
mile  point;  and  probably  about  thirteen  to 
fourteen  miles  as  hounds  ran. 

The  river  Swale  was  somewhat  unruly 
this  year  (1881),  and  no  doubt  caused  much 
anxiety  and  annoyance  to  riparian  residents 
and  owners. 

The  Master's  stables  at  Scruton  Hall,  on 


The  Bedale  Hounds.  1832-1908     109 


the  9th  March  became  flooded,  and  during 
the  evening  he  had  to  get  all  his  horses 
removed,  and  quarter  them  out  in  adjacent 
farms  until  the  flood  subsided. 

1881—82.  On  account  of  Major  Dent  not 
being  in  very  robust  health,  his  kennel  hunts- 
man, T.  Perry,  hunted  hounds  from  Sep- 
tember until  the  end  of  October,  when  the 
Master  was  again  able  to  resume  his  duties. 
Early  in  February  he  had  the  misfortune  to 
strain  the  muscles  of  his  thigh  very  badly, 
so  decided  that  another  season  he  would 
employ  a  professional  huntsman ;  and  engaged 
Fred  Holland,  who  was  at  this  time  first 
whipper-in   to   Lord   Middleton's  hounds. 

This  was  a  fairly  good  season,  but  there  is 
nothing  very  remarkable  in  the  way  of  points 
or  length  of  runs  to  record. 

Hounds  hunted  seventy-eight  days,  and 
killed  twenty-three  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes. 

On  the  21st  October,  a  staunch  friend  to 
fox-hunting  passed  away  in  the  person  of 
Mr.  Mark  Milbank  of  Thorp  Perrow  ;  who 
was  the  first   Master  of  the    ''Bedale.'' 

One  reads  marvellous  newspaper  accounts 
of  runs  nowadays,  but  twenty-five  years  ago 
the  reporter's  pen  seems  to  have  been  just 
as  nimble  in  its  fancy. 

The  following  is  a  newspaper  report  of  a 
run  from  Uckerby,  on  the   2nd   December. 

* '  Drew  famed  Uckerby  Whin  which  ap- 
pears now  to  be  a  misnomer,  as  the  covert 
consists  of  osiers,  hazel  and  birch  twigs,  and  an 


110    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


undergrowth  of  sedgy  grass/'  Many  lines 
are  devoted  to  telling  how  the  fox  was  found, 
and  how  he  got  as  far  as  Lingy  Moor  (three 
fields  away).  Many  more,  to  get  on  to 
Middleton-Tyas  Quarry,  but  at  last  he  gets 
his  fox  into  the  Sedbergh  coverts  "where 
hounds  threaded  their  way  among  young 
larch,  following  well  every  twist  and  turn 
of  their  hunted  one,  and  making  merry  music 
the  while/' 

"  At  Under  Knee  ton,  hounds  seemed  utterly 
at  fault,  but  by  another  cunning  cast  Major 
Dent  got  them  on  the  line  again,  and  they 
ran  hard  up  to  Melsonby  village.  Another 
check,  another  cast,  and  then  they  settled 
down  to  work  in  right  good  earnest/ '  Many 
paragraphs  are  devoted  to  getting  on  to 
Langdale  Wood,  and  the  like  to  Aldborough, 
where  the  scent  failed. 

The  Master's  account  of  this  hunt  reads 
as  under. 

* '  Found  Uckerby  Whin,  hunted  slowly 
up  to  Middleton-Tyas  Quarry,  and  on  into 
Sedbergh,  where  we  changed.  Ran  slowly 
with  a  wretched  scent  past  Melsonby  through 
Langdale  Wood,  and  lost  near  Aldbrough. 
Hunting  three  hours." 

On  the  18th  November,  the  west  country 
foxes  provided  two  good  gallops,  though  in 
each  case  they  saved  their  brushes  by  getting 
to  ground. 

Found  in  Scotton  Whin,  up  to  Gandale 
Wood,  then  dropped  the  hill  through  the 
Park  at   Hauxwell,  nearly  to  Forty  Acres 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     111 


Wood  ;  turned  right-handed  from  here  by 
Barden,  over  Barden  Moor  to  ground  in 
the  Quarry  there.  A  very  fast  thirty-five 
minutes. 

Found  in  Wenlock  Wood,  again  across  to 
Gandale  Wood,  but  from  here  turned  over 
the  allotments  by  Newfound-England  and 
Waithwith;  across  Badger  Gill,  to  ground 
in  Hudswell  Scar,  after  a  good  fifty  minutes. 

1882 — 83.  Hounds  were  out  seventy- two 
days  and  killed  fourteen  and  a  half  brace 
of  foxes.  There  were  some  useful  hunts  this 
season,  but  nothing  very  much  out  of  the 
ordinary. 

1883—84.  November  9th.  Found  in 
Streatlam  Whin  and  ran  towards  Hutton 
Bonville,  but  turning  from  there  went  past 
Danby  Wiske  village  up  to  Masterman's 
Plantations;  dropped  the  hill,  and  crossing 
the  Wiske  tried  Annesley's  earths  (in  the 
Hurworth  country),  these  being  stopped, 
the  fox  re-crossed  the  river  and  got  to  ground 
between  Yafforth  and  Ainderby,  but  he  was 
bolted  and  killed. 

On  the  23rd  February  there  was  a  fine  run, 
the  latter  part  of  it  over  the  moor. 

Found  in  Spennithorne  Wood,  and  ran 
out  towards  Marriforth,  then  dropped  the 
hill  under  Thornton  Steward,  towards  Danby, 
and  crossed  the  river  Yore  opposite  Jervaulx 
Abbey;  on  through  Ellingstring  Plantation, 
over  Agra  Moor,  past  Agra  Wood,  on  to 
Leighton ;  and  hounds  were  run  out  of  scent 
near  Clint  Rocks,  after  a  good  hour  and 
twenty-five  minutes. 


112    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Hounds  hunted  seventy-nine  days  and 
killed  twenty-one  brace  of  foxes. 

Early  in  the  year  1884,  the  scarcity  of 
foxes  in  parts  of  the  country  was  com- 
mented upon  in  a  letter  to  the  ' '  Yorkshire 
Post;''  and  a  somewhat  heated  correspon- 
dence took  place.  A  paragraph  from  one  of 
the  letters  seems  worth  preserving. 

*'  My  idea  is  that  owners  of  estates  who 
let  their  property  are  morally  responsible 
for  the  tenants;  and  in  a  good  hunting 
country  like  the  '  Bedale,'  ought  as  soon 
to  think  of  letting  an  estate  to  people  who 
they  thought  would  cut  down  the  coverts, 
or  pull  down  the  house,  as  to  a  man  who 
would  exterminate  foxes,  or  try  to  stop 
hunting." 

Major  Dent  having  notified  his  intention 
to  resign  the  Mastership  of  the  hounds  at 
the  end  of  the  season,  a  General  Meeting  of 
the  Hunt  was  held  on  the  14th  January, 
when  an  offer  was  made  by  Captain  Garrett, 
16th  Lancers  (of  Crakehall),  to  hunt  the 
country  with  a  subscription  of  £1,600,  and 
that  a  brother  officer  of  his  (Captain  Wild) 
should  be  his  huntsman.  The  name  of  Mr. 
W.  D.  Russell,  of  Newton  House,  was  also 
mentioned  as  a  successor  to  Major  Dent. 
The  country  did  not  favour  the  idea  of  an 
amateur  huntsman,  and  Mr.  Russell  did 
not  come  forward  to  take  the  hounds;  so 
the  appointment  of  a  new  Master  remained 
in  abeyance. 

By     February,     matters     had     arranged 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    113 


themselves,  and  Mr.  George  W.  Elliot,  whose 
name  had  been  mentioned  when  Major 
Dent  was  elected  Master,  agreed  to  hunt  the 
country.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Hunt,  on  the 
29th  April,  which  was  presided  over  by  the 
Marquess  of  Carmarthen,  Major  Dent  was 
presented  by  Admiral  the  Honble.  W.  C. 
Carpenter  with  a  silver  tea  tray  and  bowl, 
the  former  of  which  bore  the  following 
inscription. 

' '  Presented  by  the  Members  of  the  Bedale 
Hunt  to  Major  H.  F.  Dent,  on  his  resignation 
of  the  Mastership,  in  acknowledgement  of 
his  able  and  successful  management  during 
six  seasons.'' 

It  was  at  this  meeting  decided  to  acquire 
new^  Kennels.  Those  below  the  "Leases,"  where 
hounds  had  been  kennelled  since  1859,  had  for 
some  time  been  found  small  and  inconvenient. 

A  lease  was  taken  of  the  Low  Street  Stud 
Farm,  together  with  the  field  called  Crowdy 
Hill,  from  Mr.  William  Osborne,  brother 
to  that  fine  sportsman  and  Yorkshireman, 
Mr.   John  Osborne. 

A  word  or  two  about  this  Stud  Farm  may 
be  of  interest,  as  it  was  the  home  of  many 
famous  race  horses.  The  Stud  Farm  was 
built  about  1857,  by  the  late  Mr.  John  Howe 
Osborne  of  Ashgill,  being  used  as  such  up 
to  the  year  1878;  and  the  following  well- 
known  horses  were  bred,  and  stood  there. 

Miss  Agnes,  g.  grand-dam  of   Ormonde. 

Agnes  (by  Clarion).     Founder  of  the 

' '  Agnes  ' '  family. 


114    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Lady  Alice  (1855)  grand-dam  of  St.  Gatien. 

Romping  Girl.  Ran  dead  heat  with 
Achievement  for  second  place  in 
the  Oaks,  1867. 

Red  Eagle.    Winner  of  the  Cambridgeshire. 

Controversy.    Winner  of  the  Lincoln 

Handicap. 

Gaily.    Winner  of  the  Lincoln  Handicap. 

The  Cure,  Colsterdale,  and  the  Miner — one 
of  the  few  horses  that  ever  beat  Blair  Athol 
— were  among  the  stallions  that  stood  at  the 
Farm. 

Early  in  March,  1881,  a  discussion  arose 
as  to  the  correct  boundary  of  the  Bedale 
and  Hurworth  countries,  in  the  very  north 
east  corner  of  the  Hunt. 

The  Hurworth  claimed  as  their  south 
and  western  boundaries  in  this  locality  the 
river  Wiske,  from  Smeaton  Bridge  up  to 
what  is  now  Frigerdale  Wood  on  the  south  ; 
from  there  up  Stone  Riggs  lane  to  the 
branch  road  leading  to  Dalton-on-Tees,  on 
the  west.  The  Bedale  maintained  that  the 
boundary  was  the  main  road  from  North- 
allerton to  Darlington,  over  Smeaton  Bridge, 
past  Smeaton  village,  by  High  and  Low 
Entercommon,  to  the  branch  road  above 
mentioned,  leading  to  Dalton-on-Tees.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  two  arbitrators  and 
an  umpire. 

Colonel  George  J.  Scurfield  was  named 
for  the  Hurworth,  Mr.  John  B.  Booth  for 
the  Bedale. 

Mr.  John  L.  Wharton,  of  Bramham,  near 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     115 


Tadcaster,    was   mutually    agreed   upon    as 
umpire — his  decision  to  be  final. 

The  question  appears  to  have  excited  a 
good  deal  of  attention,  for  various  reasons, 
and  the  feelings  of  both  Hunts  ran  high 
about  the  matter.  Much  evidence  was  pro- 
duced on  both  sides,  and  on  October  3rd, 
1881,  Mr.  J.  L.  Wharton  gave  his  award  in 
the  following  terms. 

* '  Bramham,  Tadcaster, 

3rd  October,  1881. 
Having  examined  the  various  maps,  evi- 
dence, and  letters  submitted  to  me  ;  I  am 
of  opinion  that  the  boundary  line  of  the  two 
Hunts  lies  on  the  road  leading  from  North- 
allerton to  Darlington,  between  Smeaton 
Bridge  and  Entercommon.  It  is  obvious 
that  the  boundary  of  the  two  Hunts  must 
have  been  well  ascertained  long  prior  to 
the  existence  of  the  Railway.* 

Before  I  close  this  chapter,  I  must  relate 
three  stories  concerning  Major  Dent,  which 
are  exactly  typical  of  him. 

During  the  first  season  he  had  the  hounds, 
they  ran  across  Sleningford  Park,  down 
towards  Tanfield  Bridge  :  the  Park  at  this 
corner  being  bounded  by  stone  walls,  high, 
strong,  and  very  securely  coped,  with  a  good 
big  drop  on  the  landing  side.     Major  Dent 


*  This  remark  is  made  as  the  Hunvorth  rather  suggested  the 
N.E.R.  as  the  original  Western  boundary. 


116    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


was  cantering  down  to  this  corner,  when 
two  or  three  people  called  to  him  and  told 
him  that  he  could  not  get  out  that  way. 
With  a  look  that  said  '^Thanks,  I'll  ask 
for  your  advice  when  I  want  it,''  he  never 
hesitated  a  moment,  took  hold  of  his  horse 
(John  Peel),  and  jumped  the  wall  neatly 
and  cleanly.  Colonel,  the  Honble.  A.  Cath- 
cart,  who  generally  has  a  happy  remark 
handy,  rode  up  to  him  and  said  ' '  Why, 
Dent,  you  remind  me  of  what  the  French 
General  said  to  Lord  Cardigan,  after  the 
famous  cavalry  charge  of  Balaclava:  '  C'est 
magnifique,  mais  ce  n'est  pas  la  guerre  !  '  " 

One  day  his  name  happened  to  be  men- 
tioned when  in  conversation  with  a  farmer, 
who  said,  ''Well,  he's  a  straight  man  is't 
Major,  if  iver  he  has  o'wt  to  say  to  ye,  he 
niver  gangs  round  it  mitch." 

A  rather  half-hearted  fox  preserver  wrote 
and  told  him  that  he  had  a  litter  of  cubs  in 
some  covert  on  his  property,  and  what  was 
he  to  do  to  ensure  their  safety  and  well  being. 
The  reply  was  laconic — three  words,  but 
with  a  volume  of  meaning,  * '  Leave  them 
alone." 


CHAPTER    VI. 

1884—1888. 

George   W.  Elliot,  M.P. 

"  Where  there's  ceremony,  there's  no  friendship." 

It  has  been  already  mentioned  that  a  site 
for  the  new  Kennels  had  been  decided  upon. 
A  committee  was  formed  to  carry  out  all 
the  building  arrangements,  consisting  of 
Mr.  George  Elliot,  Mr.  John  Booth,  and 
Mr.  George  B.  Peirson,  which  soon  got  to 
work.  The  kennels  of  various  other  packs 
of  hounds  were  inspected,  plans  were  drawn 
out,  and  building  operations  quickly  com- 
menced. 

The  whole  of  the  work  was  carried  out 
locally,  and  the  leading  of  materials  required 
was  done  free  by  farmers  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood ;  some,  who  through  living  at  a 
distance,  had  not  been  asked  to  assist,  felt 
much  aggrieved  that  they  had  not  had  a 
finger  in  the  ' '  brick  and  mortar  * '  pie. 

Mr.  John  Booth  constituted  himself  Clerk 
of  the  Works,  and  used  to  spend  hours  daily 
watching    every    detail.     He    would    often 
look  in  on  his  way  home  from  hunting,  per- 
haps wet  through  ;    and  it  is  to  be  feared 


118    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


that  his  death  was  caused  by  a  chill  caught 
when  thus  employed,  on  '' a  labour  of  love.*' 

1884—85.  Mr.  EUiot  retained  Fred  Hol- 
land as  his  huntsman,  but  engaged  two  new 
whippers-in,  C.  Beames  and  W.  Ihffe. 

Hounds  hunted  eighty-six  days,  and  killed 
twenty-six  brace  of  foxes. 

Two  runs  during  this  season  are  worth 
mention. 

26th  December.  Found  at|Hutton  Bon- 
ville,  and  ran  due  east  to  Deighton  ;  turning 
from  here,  the  fox  came  back  to  Hutton 
Bonville,  ran  down  to  Danby  Wiske  village, 
then  skirting  the  Wiske,  on  to  Reedholmes 
covert  (where  three  foxes  were  in  front  of 
hounds),  up  to  Cowton  station,  then  bore 
towards  Pepper  Arden,  and  heading  north 
came  back  through  Frigerdale  Wood,  past 
Smeaton  Grange,  and  was  entering  Forty 
Acres  Wood  (in  the  Hurworth  country) 
when  hounds  were  stopped,  after  a  very 
good  hunting  run  of  three  hours. 

On  February  16th  hounds  got  away  on 
the  back  of  a  fox  from  Kirklington  Wood 
(a  difficult  thing  to  manage  from  this  big 
woodland) ;  ran  sharp  across  to  Horse  Close 
Wood,  over  Well  Mires,  crossed  the  Bedale 
and  Tanfield  road  into  Peter  Wood  ;  through 
Hesletts,  along  Tanfield  Banks,  crossed  the 
river  Yore  near  Mickley,  then  on  by  Slening- 
ford  to  North  Stainley  village  ;  and  turning 
back  from  this  point,  hounds  ran  into  their 
fox  in  Sleningford  Park,  after  a  capital 
gallop  of  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    119 


From  Kirklington  Wood  to  Mickley  is  a 
five  mile  point,  from  there  to  North  Stainley 
two  and  a  half  miles. 

1885 — 86.  Mr.  Elliot  put  in  a  good  many 
days  this  season,  hounds  being  out  ninety- 
five  times,  killing  twenty-eight  and  a  half 
brace  of  foxes.  They  hunted  up  to  the  7th 
May,  meeting  on  that  date  at  Azerley,  and 
in  the  previous  week  at  Leyburn. 

On  October  30th  there  was  a  capital 
hunt.  Found  in  Ripon  Parks.  Ran  due 
south  to  the  Palace,  near  Ripon,  turning 
back  from  here  hounds  went  by  North 
Stainley  and  Sleningford  to  the  river  Yore, 
which  was  crossed  near  Mickley ;  then 
leaving  the  villages  of  Taniield,  Nosterfield, 
and  Well,  to  the  west,  this  good  fox  made 
straight  for  Low  Park  Wood,  and  ran  on 
up  to  Thornton  Watlass,  where  hounds  were 
run  out  of  scent. 

November  13th  provided  a  good  gallop. 

Found  in  Bolton  Whin,  ran  east  to  Kiplin 
Big  Wood  on  to  Streatlam  Plantation  and 
Whin ;  forward  to  the  Crow  Wood  at  Hutton 
Bonville,  from  which  the  fox  turned  left- 
handed  up  the  Wiske  side  to  Reedholmes 
covert ;  then  took  a  left-handed  turn  to 
the  Tile  Shed  Plantation,  and  was  killed  in 
the  open,  close  to  Greenberry  Farm,  after  a 
capital  hunt  of  one  hour  and  thirty-five 
minutes. 

On  the  23rd  February,  1885,  the  meeting 
place  of  hounds  was  at  the  '*  New  Kennels." 

1886—87.     During  this  season  Mr.  EUiot 


120    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


again  hunted  the  country  uncommonly  well, 
continuing  operations  up  to  the  25th  April. 
Hounds  were  out  eighty-five  days  and  killed 
thirty  brace  of  foxes. 

One  run  alone  calls  for  mention,  which 
I  give  in  the  words  of  Mr.  George  Peirson, 
who  was  a  participator  in  what  he  terms  the 
first  'Map.*' 

February  19th.  Hounds  met  at  Busby 
Stoop.  ''  It  was  a  fine,  bright  morning  and 
there  was  a  biggish  field  out.  Hounds  got 
a  good  start  from  Bamlett's  Whin,  crossing 
the  Thirsk  and  Topcliffe  Road,  then  up  the 
Cod  Beck  side  to  Dalton  Whin.  No  time 
was  lost  there,  as  the  fox  had  skirted  the 
north  end  and  gone  straight  on,  and  through 
the  Thirkleby  Coverts,  pointing  for  Upsall. 
Hounds  had  not  run  hard  till  past  Thirkleby, 
but  there  the  pace  mended,  as  they  were 
evidently  running  up  to  their  fox,  and  for 
ten  minutes  or  a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill,  it  looked  as  if  they  would  run 
into  him  at  any  minute.  The  fox  had  been 
skirting  the  hill  for  a  couple  of  miles  as  I 
suppose  he  was  too  blown  to  face  it.  How- 
ever at  last  he  took  a  left-hand  turn  straight 
up  the  wood,  and  there  was  nothing  for  it 
but  leading  blown  horses  up  a  steep  bridle 
track.  When  three  parts  up,  we  could  not 
hear  a  sound,  and  on  getting  out  into  the 
open  at  the  top  and  looking  down,  we  could 
see  those  who  had  been  left  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill,  well  on  their  way  back  to  Thirkleby, 
and  going  like  old  boots.     Of  course  it  was 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    121 


utterly  hopeless  attempting  to  catch  them 
up,  and  a  goodly  number  never  saw  a  hound 
again  that  day.  What  had  happened  was 
— the  fox  had  turned  when' half  way  up  the 
hill  and  then  made  a  bee  line  back  to  the 
breeding  ''earths''  three  or  four  fields  west 
of  Dalton  Whin.  As  these  are  in  the  York 
country  they  could  not  dig. 

I  had  to  catch  a  train  at  Thirsk  in  the 
afternoon,  where  I  fell  in  with  Elliot  and 
party ;  all  in  high  feather  and,  of  course,  full 
of  chaff.  They  told  me  the  fox  only  escaped 
by  the  skin  of  his  teeth,  going  to  ground  in 
view.     Two  hours  and  five  minutes.'' 

1887—88.  Again,  Mr.  ElUot'did  not  mean 
the  grass  to  grow  under  his  feet,  or  his 
hounds  to  be  wanting  in  occupation,  as  he 
managed  to  put  in  ninety-eight  days  hunting, 
closing  his  season  earlier  than  in  the  previous 
lyears,  on  the  18th  April,  and  killing  twenty- 
'two  and  a  half  brace  of  foxes. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  owing  to  in- 
creasing pressure  of  his  Parliamentary  duties, 
Mr.  Elliot  gave  up  the  hounds.  His  four 
seasons  at  the  head  of  affairs  had  been  very 
successful  ones,  and  he  had  kept  the  '  *  tam- 
bourine a-roUing  ' '  not  only  .as  regards  sport, 
but  festivities  and  fun  generally. 

In  February,  1888,  a  question  arose 
with  the  Hurworth  (through  the  lifting  of  a 
litter  of  cubs)  as  to  the  correct  Hunt  boun- 
dary between  Northallerton,' and  South 
Otterington. 

The  Bedale  claimed  as  their  eastern  boun- 


122    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


dary,  the  main  road  from  Northallerton  to 
Thirsk,  via  Brawith  Hall  and  Thornton-le- 
Street.  The  Hurworth  maintained  that  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  Bedale  was  the 
river  Wiske,  from  Ainderby  Steeple  bridge 
to  South  Otterington. 

The  matter  was  eventually  referred  to  the 
Master  of  Foxhounds'  Association,  and  their 
award  was  as  follows. 

**  M.  F.  H.  Association, 
Tattersalls, 

London,  S.W. 
May  18th,  1889. 

The  Committee,  having  carefully  consi- 
dered the  case  submitted  by  the  Hurworth 
and  Bedale  Hunts,  are  unanimously  of 
opinion  that  the  river  Wiske,  and  not  the 
High  Road,  is  the  boundary  between  the 
two  Hunts  from  Northallerton  to  South 
Otterington. 

Signed.  Leconiield. 

Beaufort. 
Tredegar. 
Ralph  Nevill. 
E.  Park  Yates. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

1888—96. 
Captain  William  P.  Wilson-Todd. 

"  Are  there  no  p'ints  on  which  grey  experience  can 
show  the  beacon  lights  to  'ot  youth  and  indescretion  ? 
Assuredly  there  are !  " — Suriees. 

In  October,  1888,  a  most  staunch  friend 
to,  and  preserver  of,  foxes  joined  the 
''great  majority  *' — Mr.  J.  R.  Hildyard, 
of  Hut  ton  Bonville.  As  will  be  reahsed  by 
those  who  have  read  the  previous  pages, 
his  coverts  at  Hutton  Bonville  and  Streatlam 
always  held  a  fox  of  the  right  sort :  and 
sure  sign  of  a  good  friend  to  the  species, 
foxes  from  all  sides  were  constantly  running 
through,  or  past  both  places.  His  mantle 
has  descended  on  to  most  worthy  shoulders, 
and  his  son,  Mr.  John  A.  Hildyard  (the  best 
of  sportsmen),  most  loyally  upholds  his 
father's  traditions. 

1888—89.  Captain  Wilson-Todd  retained 
the  services  of  Fred  Holland  as  his  hunts- 
man, and  had  some  very  good  sport  during 
the  time  he  was  Master  ;  more  especially  in 
the  Friday  country,  where  there  used  con- 
stantly to    be  some  very  quick  half-hours 


124    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


and  forty  minutes.  He  was  also  lucky  in 
having  a  capital  stock  of  foxes  at  Wenlock 
Wood  and  Whin,  as  also  at  Thornhills'  Whin ; 
from  all  of  which  places  he  had  many  good 
gallops.  I  much  regret  to  say  that  this  is  no 
longer  the  case  as  regards  Wenlock  Wood, 
and  I  think  I  have  only  seen  about  three 
foxes  found  there  in  twelve  years. 

On  the  14th  November,  meeting  at  Sion 
Hill,  there  was  a  good  hunt  from  Solberg  in 
the  afternoon.  Found  at  once  and  ran 
down  to  the  Swale,  but  the  fox  turned 
away  from  the  river,  and  bore  right-handed 
nearly  up  to  Ainderby  Steeple ;  leaving 
this  village  on  the  right,  he  went  on  up  to 
Morton  Bridge,  crossed  the  Bedale  and 
Northallerton  road,  up  to  Thrintoft  village, 
from  there  on  to  Langton  Hall,  opposite 
which  he  went  over  the  river;  and  bearing 
first  of  all  towards  Kirkby  Fleetham,  finally 
swung  round  into  Scruton  Big  Wood,  where 
hounds  killed  him,  after  one  hour  and 
thirty  minutes. 

On  the  15th  March,  having  done  nothing 
much  about  Kiplin,  Cowton,  and  Uckerby  ; 
a  good  fox  was  found  in  Thrintoft  Whin, 
which  ran  down  to  Yafforth,  then  left- 
handed  over  Danby  Hill  to  Streatlam,  from 
here  across  to  Danby  Wiske  village,  over 
the  Wiske,  up  to  and  through  the  Hutton 
Bonville  coverts,  and  from  there  to  the 
Smeaton  coverts  ;  where  hounds  were  run 
out  of  scent,  after  a  good  hunt  of  an  hour 
and  forty  minutes. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    125 


1889—90.  The  following,  on  October  14th, 
must  have  been  a  fine  gallop,  but  only  a  few 
were  lucky  enough  to  see  it  :  Captain  David 
Lascelles,  Mr.  Edward  Lascelles,  Mr.  Bairstow, 
and  Holland.  The  Master  was  unfortunately 
on  foot  in  the  covert  when  hounds  went 
away,  and  could  not  get  to  them.  Found 
in  the  covert  by  Exelby  Brickyards  and  ran 
across  by  the  Reeds  Plantation,  over  Snape 
Mires  towards  Horse  Close  Wood  ;  passed 
between  that  and  the  Low  Wood  at  Camp 
Hill,  past  Chaplin's  Whin,  and  leaving  Thorn- 
borough  just  on  the  east,  ran  by  Rushwood 
into  the  Norton  Conyers  coverts  ;  through 
them  down  to  the  river  Yore,  which  the  fox 
crossed,  and  on  towards  Ripon  Parks  Whin, 
short  of  which  hounds  were  stopped,  as  there 
was  a  litter  of  cubs  there,  which  it  was  not 
desirable  to  disturb  this  day. 

This  was  a  ten  mile  point,  and  hounds 
were  running  one  hour  and  a  quarter. 

Mr.  Edward  Lascelles,  who  had  been  resident 
in  Queensland  for  a  long  time,  was  heard  to 
remark  during  this  gallop,  ' '  By  God,  this  is 
better  than  kangaroo  hunting.'' 

On  the  6th  December  there  was  a  very 
good  gallop,  but  an  unsatisfactory  ending,  as 
hounds  had  to  be  stopped  on  account  of 
darkness. 

Met  at  Kiplin.  Found  the  second  fox  in 
Crossbills  Plantation,  and  ran  very  quickly 
across  to  Cowton  Whin,  through  this,  over 
Atlay  Hill  to  Pepper  Arden  Hall ;  from 
here    the    fox    turned    south    to    Streatlam 


126    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Plantation,  through  this  and  then  direct  to 
Thrintoft  Whin ;  after  a  turn  in  the  covert, 
he  went  away  about  half  a  mile  towards  the 
village  of  Thrintoft,  then  turned  back,  past 
the  Whin  covert,  and  on  towards  Masterman's 
Plantation,  where  hounds  had  to  be  stopped. 

The  last  week  in  January,  and  the  month 
of  February,  is  the  time  when  foxes  make 
real  good  points ;  and  there  was  one  this 
season  which  will  long  be  remembered. 

On  February  the  10th,  hounds  met  at 
Thorp  Perrow.  Found  at  once  in  the  Banks 
and  ran  by  Warreners  Bottom,  and  the  top 
of  the  Belts  towards  Aldburgh ;  the  fox 
turned  left-handed  from  here,  and  passing 
on  the  east  side  of  Nosterfield  village,  ran 
across  by  Chaplin's  Whin  and  Horse  Close 
Wood  into  Low  Park  Wood — time  up  to  this 
point  thirty-five  minutes.  Here  hounds 
changed  on  to  another  fox,  although  there 
was  no  actual  pause  in  the  run,  and  they 
went  over  Watlass  Moor,  straight  to  the  river 
Yore  at  Clifton  Castle  ;  a  little  below  which, 
the  fox  crossed  and  went  on  past  High 
Mains,  on  the  north  side  of  Low  Ellington, 
past  the  south  side  of  Eelmire  Wood,  through 
the  top  end  of  Ellington  Firth,  and  then 
rose  the  hill  by  the  Swiss  Cottage,  near  Grey 
Yard  Plantation  ;  across  to,  and  on  the  low 
side  of,  Witton  Fell  nearly  up  to  Braithwaite 
Hall.  From  here  he  turned  rather  left- 
handed  towards  the  old  coalpits  on, ^Braith- 
waite Moor,  over  this  (the  first  moorland 
touched)    and   part   of   Caldbergh   Moor   to 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     127 


East  Scrafton  Moor  ;  where  this  fine  gallop 
came  to  an  end.  Hounds  and  horses  were 
all  beat,  and  the  huntsman  had  not  been 
able  to  get  as  far  as  this.  Eleven  people 
and  nine  couples  of  hounds  got  to  this  point, 
which  is  thirteen  miles  absolutely  due  west 
from  Horse  Close  Wood,  this  being  the  most 
easterly  place  touched  in  the  run.  After 
leaving  Low  Park  Wood,  hounds  ran  at  a 
tremendous  pace  as  far  as  Witton  Fell,  after 
which  it  somewhat  slackened.  Hounds  were 
taken  to  Leyburn,  and  returned  to  kennel 
by  train  from  there. 

This  good  fox  had  not  got  into  very 
hospitable  quarters,  as  it  was  reported  that, 
the  same  afternoon,  ' '  One  fatal  shot  pro- 
claimed that  he  was  not.''  How  sad  an 
end!  ! 

The  following  verses  appeared  in  Baily's 
Magazine,  in  a  poem  called  ''  A  Hill  Fox,'' 
by  Mr.  W.  H.  Olgivie,  and  with  the  Editor's 
kind  permission,  I  include  a  few  of  them  ;  so 
very  descriptive  of  this  stout  fox,  and  of  the 
gallop. 

*  *  What  had  brought  him  so  far 

From  the  ghdder  and  scar 
And  the  moss  where  the  rivulets  croon  ? 

Did  he  cross  on  a  raid  ? 

Or,  Uke  man  to  a  maid 
For  a  vixen  that  cried  to  the  moon  ? 

There  are  foxes  that  swing 

With  the  wind  on  its  wing, 
There  are  foxes  in  circles  that  tread  ; 

But  he  chose  his  bold  line 

Where  the  hill-tops  ashine 
Touched  the  shadows  in  which  he  was  bred  ! 


128    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


'Tis  a  short  enough  start. 

But  a  hill-fox's  heart 
Never  quails  when  the  peaks  are  in  view  ; 

Down  the  valley  he  dips, 

Through  the  grey  river  slips. 
With  his  mask  to  the  Moors  so  blue  ! 

There's  the  crash  of  a  rail 

As  the  crowd  leaves  the  vale 
And  sweeps  out  on  the  heath  of  the  hill. 

And  it's  slow  they  must  creep 

Up  the  edge  of  the  steep  ; 
But  the  bitches  are  galloping  still  I 

Over  hill  top  and  slope 

Still  we  stumble  and  grope 
Through  the  tussocks  where  sheep  drains  are 
Wind  ; 

And  the  men  that  have  led 

Are  gone  further  ahead, 
And  the  slow  ones  drop  further  behind. 

And  the  little   hill-fox 

Threads    his    way    through    the    rocks 
Where  the  burn  makes  a  lather  of  foam  ; 

Does  he  laugh  at  us  now 

As  he  climbs  the  last  brow 
That  leads  straight  to  the  haven  of  home  ? 

1890 — 91.  On  the  5th  December  there  was 
a  good  point  and  gallop.  Found  in  Streatlam 
Whin ;  ran  very  fast  up  to  Langton  village, 
crossed  the  river  Swale,  passed  Kirkby 
Fleetham,  and  leaving  Fencote  on  the  left, 
went  over  the  North  Road  to  ground  in 
Goskin'  s  Wood.  One  hour  and  fifteen  minutes. 

On  the  18th  February,  after^^killing  a  fox 
from  Devonshire  Wood,  at  Sharow,  hounds 
hit  the  line  of  another  near  Hutton  Conyers, 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     129 


and  worked  up  to  him  in  the  Withernwick 
coverts.  From  here  they  ran  very  quickly 
to  Norton  Conyers,  crossed  the  river  Yore, 
on  to  Ripon  Parks,  through  this  covert  across 
by  Spring  Wood  to  Azerley ;  from  which 
point  he  turned  left-handed,  and  was  marked 
to  ground  close  to  Studley  Royal,  after  a  quick 
hour  and  five  minutes. 

1891—92.  On  the  9th  November  there 
was  a  specially  quick  gallop,  with  a  satis- 
factory ending.  Found  in  Kirklington  Wood, 
broke  away  on  the  north  side  towards  Car- 
thorpe,  then  at  a  great  pace  across  by  Bur- 
neston,  over  the  Leeming  Lane,  direct  to 
Gatenby  Wood ;  through  that,  and  killed  in 
the  open,  close  to  Mr.  Gothorpe's  house  at 
Gatenby,  a  point  of  four  miles  in  thirty-five 
minutes.  This  particular  piece  of  the  country 
afforded  some  good  sport  at  this  time,  as  on 
the  14th  December  there  was  another  fast 
gallop,  with  blood. 

Found  in  Low  Park  Whin,  and  ran  over 
Well  Bottoms  towards  Nosterfield,  the  fox 
turned  from  here,  by  Langwith,  into  Kirk- 
lington Wood ;  from  there  across  the  Leeming 
Lane  direct  to  Pickhill  village,  from  which 
he  turned  right-handed,  ran  along  the  Swale 
pastures  under  Holme  Whin,  up  to  Colonel 
I 'Anson's  house  at  Howe;  in  the  garden 
of  which  hounds  ran  into  him,  after  a  capital 
gallop  of  one  hour  and  fifteen  minutes. 

On  the  10th  February  there  was  a  fine 
hunt  from  Swinton,  over  a  sporting  country. 

Found  in  Lord  Masham's  Whin,  and  ran 


130    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


through  ElUngton  Firth  to  Witton  Fell; 
turned  back  from  here,  and  ran  on  the  edge 
of  the  Moor  past  the  west  side  of  ElUng- 
string  Plantation,  by  High  Healey  Cote,  past 
Fearby  Low  Moor,  on  the  west  side  of  Swinton 
Park,  over  Nutwith  Common  into  Hackfall, 
where  the  fox  was  viewed  by  Captain  Wilson- 
Todd,  dead  beat.  Unfortunately  he  man- 
aged to  get  to  ground  in  the  rocks,  after  a 
capital  hour  and  a  half.  Hounds  were  then 
obliged  to  go  home,  as  the  second  horses  did 
not  turn  up,  having  probably  been  put  out 
by  the  sudden  turn  from  Witton  Fell. 

The  following  is  a  pleasing  record  of  foxes 
found  in  one  day,  late  on  in  the  season  (30th 
March).  A  brace  at  Sion  Hill,  a  leash  at 
Thirsk  Carr,  a  brace  in  the  Thirsk  Hall  coverts, 
a  brace  at  Thornton-le-Street,  one  fox  in 
Vicars  Moor.  Two  foxes  were  killed,  and 
two  were  marked  to  ground. 

It  is  not  often  when  once  a  fox  gets  near 
to  Downholme  Scar,  that  he  has  to  pay  the 
penalty  (as  there  are  innumerable  places  in 
the  rocks  which  it  is  impossible  to  stop), 
but  on  the  8th  of  April  this  took  place. 

Found  in  the  Constable  Burton  coverts, 
and  after  running  in  the  woods  for  some  time 
broke  out  on  the  west  side  towards  Bellerby, 
on  towards  Half-penny  House,  then  over  the 
moors  in  the  direction  of  Stainton,  by  Down- 
holme  village  for  the  Scar  ;  half  a  mile  short 
of  which  hounds  ran  into  their  fox.  One 
hour  and  forty  minutes. 

1892 — 93.     After  being  stopped  by  frost 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    131 


for  four  weeks,  there  were  three  successive 
days  of  good  sport. 

On  the  20th  January  met  at  Cowton 
Station.  Found  in  the  New  Whin  at  Hutton 
Bonville,  and  ran  by  the  Old  Whin  up  to  the 
Fox  Covert ;  over  the  Northallerton  and 
Darlington  road,  by  Lovesome  Hill  towards 
Brompton.  The  fox  turned  north  from  near 
here,  and  ran  by  Deighton  to  Appleton 
Wiske,  over  the  Wiske,  through  Hornby 
Whin,  out  towards  High  Worsall;  being 
headed  short  of  this  place  he  turned  back, 
and  was  killed  in  the  Whin  after  a  very  good 
gallop  of  an  hour. 

On  the  21st  January  hounds  met  at 
Constable  Burton.  They  found  at  once, 
and  ran  very  fast  to  within  one  field  of 
Spennithorne  Wood,  turned  left-handed  from 
here  between  Croft  Wood  and  Finghall,  as 
if  for  Wild  Wood.  Near  Finghall  village 
the  fox  bore  right-handed  towards  Marri- 
forth,  and  leaving  this  covert  on  the  left, 
went  on  to  Danby-on-Yore,  and  eventually 
making  his  first  point  good,  got  to  ground 
in  Spennithorne  Wood,  after  a  quick  gallop 
of  one  hour. 

On  the  23rd  January  hounds  met  at  Kirk- 
lington  village.  A  fox  found  in  KirkHngton 
Wood  was  killed  almost  at  once.  A  second 
was  found  in  Horse  Close  Wood,  and  ran 
across  to  Norton  Conyers,  where  he  got  to 
ground — twenty-five  minutes. 

Hounds  then  went  to  Newton  House,  where 
a  leash  of  foxes  were  on  foot  in  Gatenby 


132    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Wood.  Ten  couples  of  hounds  got  away  with 
one,  and  racing  down  the  Swale  Pastures 
accounted  for  theirs,  on  the  banks  of  the 
river.  The  remainder  of  the  pack  went  away 
with  another  fox  to  the  west.  Over  the 
Leeming  Lane,  up  to  Burneston  ;  from  here, 
leaving  Carthorpe  on  the  right  to  Kirklington, 
then  on  by  Howgrave  and  Thornborough 
nearly  up  to  the  village  of  Nosterfield  ;  from 
which  he  turned  right-handed  over  Well 
Bottoms,  under  Warreners  Wood,  and  was 
lost  in  the  Banks  at  Thorp  Perrow  after  a 
very  quick  run  of  one  hour  and  ten  minutes. 

1893 — 94.  There  was  a  good  day's  sport 
in  the  West  country  on  November  the  13th. 

Found  in  Thornhills  Whin.  Ran  up  to 
Scotton,  then  with  a  right-handed  turn  past 
the  west  side  of  Tunstall  Whin,  to  Hauxwell 
village.  Being  headed  here,  the  fox  turned 
east  again,  and  passing  by  Beggarmire  Wood 
went  into  Wild  Wood;  through  this,  past 
Diamond  Hill  to  the  Hornby  Castle  coverts. 
As  they  were  to  be  shot  next  day,  hounds 
were  stopped.  A  second  fox  was  found 
in  the  Whinney  Gill  south  of  Scotton  Hall, 
which  ran  due  north  into  the  coverts  at 
Hipswell,  then  turned  west,  up  Badger  Gill, 
and  passing  over  Waithwith  Common  reached 
Wenlock  Wood.  He  did  not  dwell  here,  but 
went  straight  across  to  Thornhills  Whin,  made 
a  loop  back  from  there  up  to  Scotton,  and 
then  set  his  head  straight  for  what  must 
have  been  his  original  destination,  Haux- 
well ;     where,    owing    to    darkness,    hounds 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    133 


had  to  be  stopped.  This  was  a  good  hunt 
of  an  hour  and  fifteen  minutes. 

On  the  6th  December  hounds  met  at 
Studley  Royal.  Found  a  fox  at  once,  ran 
across  to  Azerley  in  twenty  minutes,  and 
killed. 

Found  in  the  Old  Whin  at  Ripon  Parks, 
and  ran  hard  by  North  Stainley,  Sleningford 
Park  and  Mickley,  into  Hackfall.  The  fox 
ran  nearly  the  length  of  this  large  covert, 
then  crossed  the  river  Yore,  leaving  Aldburgh 
Hall  on  the  left,  into  Heslett  Wood;  through 
this  to  Tanfield  village,  over  the  river  again, 
across  Sleningford  Park,  and  owing  to  dark- 
ness hounds  were  stopped  near  Potgate, 
after  a  real  sporting  hunt  of  an  hour  and 
forty  minutes. 

1894 — 95.  There  is  no  run  of  any  special 
merit  to  record  for  this  season. 

1895—96.  On  the  18th  December,  1895, 
there  was  a  fine  gallop  from  Thornton-le- 
Street. 

Found  in  the  Big  Wood  there ;  ran  across 
the  Park,  over  the  Thirsk  and  Northallerton 
road,  past  Brawith  Hall,  which  was  left  on 
the  east,  up  to  Crosby  Grange.  From  here 
hounds  ran  parallel  to,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Cod  Beck,  pointing  for  Cotcliffe  Bank. 
Short  of  this  the  fox  turned  back,  and  ran 
to  the  north  of  Kepwick  Lime  Kilns,  crossed 
the  tramway  line  at  Mill  Hill,  and  bearing 
left-handed,  was  marked  to  ground  in 
Kepwick  Quarry,  after  a  very  quick  hour 
and  thirty-five  minutes. 


134    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


At  the  end  of  this  season,  Captain  Wilson- 
Todd  gave  up  the  hounds,  having  shown 
some  excellent  sport  for  eight  years.  Toward 
the  latter  end  of  his  Mastership,  the  supply 
of  foxes  had  got  below  the  average,  and 
he  consequently  had  a  good  many  very 
disappointing  days. 

He  took  great  interest  in  the  breeding  of 
hounds ;  and  as  will  be  seen  in  Appendix  B, 
it  was  during  the  second  year  of  his  Master- 
ship that  the  Bedale  bitches  commenced — 
in  some  earnest — their  maternal  duties. 

In  the  spring  of  1895,  he  bought  the  whole 
of  the  Brocklesby  dog  whelps  ;  about  thirty 
couples  being  delivered  at  the  Bedale  Kennels 
and  sent  to  ''  Quarters.''  It  was  a  sporting 
purchase,  but  the  result  was  poor;  as  they 
did  not  turn  out  very  well,  and  only  five 
and  a  half  couples  were  included  in  the 
entry  for  1896. 

Two  good  looking  dogs,  '  Hengist '  and 
'Hotspur '  were  used,  but  their  progeny  did 
not  stay  very  long  in  the  kennel. 

As  Captain  Wilson-Todd  gave  up  the 
Hounds  in  the  spring  of  1896,  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen  purchased  these  Brocklesby 
hounds  from  him,  and  presented  them  to 
the   country. 

Admiral  The  Honble.  W.  C.  Carpenter, 
The  Honble.  S.  C.  Lister,  Sir  George  Elliot, 
Bart,  and  Major  W.  H.  Fife. 

The  hard  winter  of  1894 — 95  will  long  be 
remembered  by  all ;  but  by  none  more  keenly 
than  by  those  who  hunt  the  fox,  as  for  about 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     135 


ten  weeks  they  found  * '  their  occupation 
gone/'  Since  the  muscles  of  the  body 
could  not  be  exercised  on  a  horse,  some  wag 
of  wit  exercised  his  brains  with  the  pen; 
and  the  following  amusing  brochure  on  the 
sad  want  of  employment  for  those  accus- 
tomed to  hunt  with  the  Bedale,  was  anony- 
mously produced  in  the  country. 

Without  Prejudice. 

THE     VERY     SELECT    COMMITTEE 
ON     LABOUR. 


THE  COMMISSIONERS  appointed  to  enquire 
into  the  distress,  sat  under  the  presidency  of 
Sir  John  Lawson,  Bart.,  at  the  Black  Swan 
Hotel,  Bedale,  on  Tuesday,  26th  February, 
1895.  Being  Market  day  the  proceedings 
excited  the  liveliest  interest.  A  melancholy 
gaiety  was  given  to  the  scene  by  the  number 
of  red  coats  worn,  but  this  feeling  wore  off 
as  the  wan  and  dejected  appearance  of  these 
gallant  sportsmen  met  our  eye,  they  had 
evidently  suffered  severely  and  felt  their  posi- 
tion keenly  ;  the  sit  of  their  costumes  hardly 
gave  evidence  of  the  best  sartorial  efforts  of 
their  respective  snips. 

On  the  appearance  of  the  Chairman,  who  by 
the  way  is,  we  hear,  no  relation  to  Sir  Wilfred 
Lawson,  an    attempt  at  a  cheer  was    made, 
which  was  courteously  and  feelingly  acknow- 
ledged.    Sir  John  is,  we  may  add,  president 
of  "  The  Anti-Humbug  Society." 
Captain  Wilson-Todd  said  he  was  Master  of  the 
Bedale  Hounds,  and  in  consequence  kept  a  large  stud 
of  horses,  innumerable  dogs,  and  a  great  many  servants, 
the  whole  of  which,  including  himself,  were  now  thrown 


136    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


out  of  work  and  in  a  very  distressful  condition.  How 
they  could  exist  much  longer  without  relief  he  was 
unable  to  say. 

On  being  asked  what  steps  he  had  taken  to  secure 
employment,  said  he  had  been  to  Newmarket  in  hopes 
of  gaining  admittance  into  the  stables,  and  finding  the 
winner  of  the  Grand  National.  On  another  occasion 
he  had  attended  a  pigeon  shoot,  with  the  object  of 
picking  up  a  little  money,  but  was  not  successful  owing 
to  an  outsider  winning,  against  whom  he  had  fielded 
heavily.  Did  not  think  much  of  pigeon  shoots  as  a 
sport  or  means  of  livelihood,  all  he  got  out  of  it  was  a 
few  frozen  pigeons. 

Witness  then  began  to  use  abusive  language  against 
the  weather,  and  was  ordered  to  withdraw. 

Captain  David  A.  G.  Lascelles  said  he  acted  as 
Secretary  to  the  Bedale  Hunt,  and  had  been  out  of 
employment  for  nine  weeks,  during  which  time  he  had 
been  much  annoyed  by  many  poultry  claims  which  he 
was  quite  unable  to  pay.  He  owned  a  considerable 
number  of  horses,  and  he  regularly  attended  every 
meet  of  the  Bedale  Hounds,  and  always  stayed  out  till 
the  hounds  went  home,  and  was  therefore  in  regular 
employment  until  frozen  out. 

On  being  asked  what  steps  he  had  taken  to  obtain 
work,  said  he  had  spent  most  of  his  time  in  Bedale 
Market  Place,  discussing  the  situation  with  his  fellow 
workmen  and  watching  the  weathercock.  He  had  made 
two  excursions  into  the  West-country  on  hearing  that 
work  was  to  be  obtained,  in  which  he  was  to  a  certain 
extent  successful,  getting  two  engagements  to  play 
hockey. 

Fred  Holland  said  he  acted  in  the  capacity  of 
Huntsman,  and  corrobated  the  evidence  of  The  Master. 
Said  his  duties  as  huntsman  principally  were  to  say 
— "  Yoi  Yover  "  and  "  Pull  up,"  to  keep  his  hounds 
as  far  away  as  possible  from  the  members  of  the  Hunt, 
and  to  please  everybody.  On  being  asked  what  steps 
he  intended  taking  to  sustain  himself  and  his  large 
family,  remarked,  "  By  Gow,  I  don't  know.  I  never 
seed  nothing  like  this  afore. ' ' 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    137 


Edward  Parker,  who  appeared  wearing  a  broad 
smile,  said  he  was  First  Whip.  His  duties  were  to 
ride  anything,  through  anything  or  over  anything,  and 
liked  it.  Could  do  with  more  work,  his  duties  being 
very  light. 

E.  H.  Courage.  This  applicant  appeared  in  fairly 
good  condition,  said  he  had  heard  of  the  great  distress, 
but  owing  to  partial  employment  he  had  not  suffered 
so  severely  as  the  rest.  His  employment  consisted 
in  stopping  up  his  earths,  the  foxes  having  all  taken  to 
living  in  his  Sunday  Trees.  He  had  also  been  busy 
running  after  his  young  stock  to  keep  them  warm,  and 
had  spent  much  time  trying  to  avoid  his  stuffed  birds, 
one  of  which  especially  caused  him  great  pain  and 
annoyance,  and  he  still  bore  the  marks  of  the  animal's 
attack. 

Sir  George  Elliot,  Bart.,  M.P.,  said  he  repre- 
sented the  heavy  weights,  was  also  a  member  of 
Parliament,  could  not  exactly  define  the  limits  of  his 
constituency,  but  the  Bedale,  Zetland,  and  Hurworth 
Hounds  hunted  the  district.  Knew  that  when  the 
House  was  sitting  the  candle  was  lit  in  the  Victoria 
Tower.  Had  a  large  stud  of  horses  but  could  not  feed 
them  much  longer ;  owing  to  his  weight  had  to  give 
large  prices  for  them.  Had  made  every  endeavour 
to  find  employment  without  success. 

George  B.  Peirson.  The  appearance  of  this  ap- 
plicant caused  considerable  amusement  as  he  certainly 
seemed  in  good  condition.  He  retired  amidst  loud 
laughter,  followed  by  several  members  on  the  chance 
of  getting  a  drink,  or  selling  a  horse.  Mr.  Peirson  is  a 
Land  Agent. 

Hugh  Maughan  ,  who  really  appeared  in  a  very 
enfeebled  condition,  said  he  had  three  horses  which  he 
was  quite  unable  to  sustain  in  proper  condition.  Did 
very  well  when  he  had  his  father's  corn  bin  handy,  but 
had  now  been  obliged  to  remove  them  all  to  Bedale. 

On  being  asked  what  remedies  he  had  taken,  said  he 
had  attended  every  ball  in  the  neighbourhood  on  the 
chance  of  there  being  a  supper.  This  seemed  satis- 
factory to  the  Chairman,  who  promised  to  consider  his 


138    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


case  favourabty,  as  he  had  done  the  same  in  his  younger 
days. 

Witness  said  he  had  brought  his  fiddle  with  him  but 
had  been  stopped  by  the  police.  Sir  John  suggested 
that  as  he  had  also  brought  his  'cello  they  should  play 
a  duet,  which  was  agreed  to. 

It  transpired  that  this  applicant  was  also  a  Solicitor. 

Simon  Conyers  Scrope  said  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
hunting  whenever  he  had  an  opportunity.  Only 
possessed  one  horse,  which  was  well  known  in  the  West 
country  for  his  personal  appearance  and  the  size  of  his 
feet,  but  both  horse  and  owner  had  a  great  objection 
to  the  big  stells  in  the  Friday  country.  Often  obliged 
to  ride  very  long  distances  to  the  meet.  Had  for  several 
years  occupied  a  farm,  under  his  father,  but  the  prin- 
cipal produce  being  weeds  he  was  seldom  able  to  pay 
any  rent. 

He  had  tried  hockey  as  a  means  of  livelihood,  and 
had  on  one  occasion  nearly  missed  a  valuable  engage- 
ment owing  to  the  sudden  change  of  the  locality.  Con- 
sidered himself  a  good  ' '  back,"  being  able  to  withstand 
the  most  severe  shocks  without  inconvenience. 

On  being  further  examined,  the  applicant  entered 
into  a  violent  tirade  against  the  Master  and  manage- 
ment of  the  Hunt,  especially  of  the  way  in  which  the 
West-country  was  hunted,  but  the  Chairman  finding 
that  this  was  a  purely  personal  question  promptly 
ordered  his  removal. 

Harry  Rouse  said  he  was  a  member  of  the  Bedale 
Hunt.  Had  been  employed  regularly  for  many  years, 
but  for  the  last  nine  weeks  had  been  entirely  out  of 
work,  and  had  suffered  severely  in  consequence.  Had 
lately  been  taking  great  interest  in  the  arrangements 
of  the  workhouse,  and  had  tried  to  induce  the  Guardians 
to  allow  the  inmates  fish  and  game  every  day  when  in 
season.  On  being  further  interrogated  he  said  he  had 
done  this  in  case  he  had  to  remove  there  if  this  distress 
continued.  On  being  asked  what  he  had  done  to  obtain 
employment,  he  said  he  had  most  days  walked  into 
Bedale  from  Firby,  and  frequented  the  Market  Place. 
He  had  noticed  many  members  of  the  Hunt  wandering 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     139 


about  in  the  town  and  along  the  roads,  Had  often 
met  the  Secretary,  who  had  asked  him  regularly — 
*'  What  are  we  to  do  now  P  "  Had  replied — "  What 
are  we  to  do  now  ?  What  can  we  do,  we  have  done 
everything,"  but  no  result  of  importance  had  occurred. 
Had  been  up  to  London  to  see  if  anything  could  be 
done  there,  but  owing  to  the  number  of  people  in  the 
same  straits  as  himself  had  not  been  able  to  pick  up 
anything  very  good.  Hoped  to  soon  be  in  a  position 
to  resume  work  now  the  Spring  was  coming  on,  and  he 
could  make  a  day  out. 

W.  L.  Christie  (**  Christie,  Bedale  ")  said  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Bedale  Hunt,  and  had  been  thrown  out 
of  work  for  nine  weeks.  Was  unable  to  say  how  many 
horses  he  had,  but  would  gladly  have  sent  some  to  the 
kennels,  but  was  afraid  they  would  disagree  with  the 
hounds.  Had  on  occasions  frequented  Bedale  Market 
Place  and  seen  much  distress.  Was  very  badly  off 
himself,  and  wished  to  reduce  his  establishment,  but 
was  obliged  to  keep  his  servants  on  as  he  couldn't  pay 
them  off.  Asked  what  means  he  had  taken  to  obtain 
work,  said  he  had  lived  on  his  relations  and  friends  as 
much  as  possible.  Had  on  two  occasions  attended 
pigeon  shoots,  where  he  had  done  fairly  well,  so  thought 
he  would  get  up  one  himself  and  make  a  bit  more. 
However,  the  other  shooters  said  it  was  a  plant,  so 
kicked  over  the  table  and  refused  to  pay,  and  drank 
all  the  whisky.  Questioned  further,  said  he  thought 
pigeon  shooting  might  be  made  to  pay  under  favourable 
circumstances,  but  preferred  laying  one  of  his  own 
horses  as  a  surer  means  of  making  a  bit. 

Teasdale  Hutchinson  said  he  was  a  very  hard 
rider  ;  always  rode  the  best  horses  ;  had  a  mare  *  *  the 
best  in  England,"  which  was  the  very  thing  for  the 
Chairman.  Had  not  crabbed  her,  and  said  she  had  a 
spavin  when  he  bought  her.  Never  rode  too  near 
hounds,  and  had  never  heard  any  complaints  about 
his  riding,  fact  was  that  he  was  so  far  in  front  that  he 
could  not  hear  what  Holland  said.  Preferred  Point 
to  Point  races  to  hunting.  Thought  barbed  wire 
would  do  a  lot  of  harm. 


140    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Said  he  kept  his  horses  on  wheat  and  barley  straw. 
Agricultural  depression  was  what  he  was  most  inter- 
ested in.  Rents  must  be  reduced.  Was  ordered  to 
withdraw. 

Other  appUcants  were  R.  O.  Harrild,  W.  Harrild, 
W.  P.  Gill,  T.  G.  Walker,  and  T.  Riley,  who  all 
looked  in  a  woe-begone  condition.  They  said  they  had 
on  one  occasion  heard  of  something  to  do  at  York,  but 
it  did  not  turn  out  successful.  They  had  been  up  and 
down  the  country  looking  for  employment  but  found 
it  harder  to  get  every  day.  While  the  Chairman's 
attention  was  momentarily  engaged,  one  of  them 
produced  a  pack  of  cards  and  began  deahng  out  a  Poker 
hand  all  round,  but  they  were  promptly  removed  from 
court  in  an  excited  condition.  R.  O.  Harrild  seemed 
particularly  annoyed,  and  it  turned  out  afterwards 
that  he  had  four  aces. 

The  members  then  dispersed,  and  returned  to  their 
homes  to  dig  sticks  into  the  ground  and  see  what  the 
glass  was  doing. 

The  affairs  of  the  old  ' '  Raby  Hunt 
Bedale  Club/'  established  in  1816,  seem 
rather  to  have  languished  ;  and  during  Cap- 
tain Wilson-Todd's  Mastership,  a  revision 
of  the  rules,  bringing  matters  more  up  to 
date,  took  place.  The  following,  being  those 
passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the 
Hunt. 

Rules  of  the  ''Bedale  Hunt  Club." 


1.  The  Club  to  be  called  the  Bedale  Hunt 
Club. 

2.  The  affairs  of  the  Club  to  be  managed  by 
a  Committee,  elected  at  the  Annual 
General    Meeting    of    the    Hunt.     The 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    141 


Master,  and  Honorary  Secretary  to  be 
ex-officio  members  of  this  Committee  ; 
with  six  other  members  of  the  Hunt, 
one  of  whom  should  retire  annually. 
The  following  to  form  the  first  Com- 
mittee. 

Captain  W.  P.  Wilson-Todd,  M.F.H., 

President. 

Admiral  The  Honble.  W.  C.  Carpenter. 

Sir  Henry  Beresford-Peirse,  Bart. 

W.  D.  Russell,  Esq. 

John  A.   Hildyard,   Esq. 

Sir  Frederick  Milbank,  Bart. 

The  Marquess  of  Carmarthen. 

Captain  D.  A.  Lascelles, 

Hon.  Secretary. 

3.     The  Club  to  consist  of  Life  and  Visitor 
members. 

Life  members — to  be  eligible,  shall 
be  landowners  and  their  sons,  also 
gentlemen  renting  estates  or  houses  for 
a  period  of  not  less  than  five  years,  in  the 
district  hunted  by  the  Bedale  hounds; 
the  membership  of  the  latter  to  terminate 
on  their  leaving  the  Bedale  country, 
unless  specially  allowed  to  continue 
their  membership  by  a  resolution  of  the 
Club  Committee. 

Visitor  members  are  eligible,  provided 
they  have  been  residents  in  the  country 
for  not  less  than  three  consecutive 
seasons,  and  have  subscribed  not  less 
than  £15  per  annum  to  the  benefit  of 


142    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


the  Hunt.  Their  membership  to  cease 
on  leaving  the  Bedale  country,  unless 
specially  allowed  to  continue  their  mem- 
bership by  resolution  of  the  Club  Com- 
mittee. 

4.  All  members  to  be  elected  by  a  majority 
of  the  Club  Committee. 

5.  Only  members  of  the  Club  allowed  to 
wear  the  Bedale  Hunt  coat  and  button. 

6.  There  is  to  be  at  least  one  General 
Meeting  of  members  of  the  Club,  between 
November  1st  and  Catterick  Races 
every  year. 

There  was  some  discussion  as  to  what  the 
colour  of  the  collar  and  facings  of  the 
evening  coat  should  be. 

The  matter  was  put  to  the  vote,  and  the 
following  verses  were  written  by  a  poetically 
inclined  member,  in  answer  to  a  circular 
letter  on  the  subject. 

"  Dear  David,  your  circular  asks  me  to  vote 
On  a  question  of  vital  importance  : — the  coat 
Which  our  members  shall  wear  when  the  ' '  Bedale  *  * 

they  follow 
And  yearn  for  a  hark  of  your  musical  holloa. 

For  the  coat  in  itself — no  more  on  that  head, 
As  a  fox-hunter's  colour  will  always  be  red. 
But  the  point  in  dispute  seems  the  colour  of  collar 
We  shall  wear  of  a  night,  when  our  dinners  we 
swallow. 

A  motion  is  made  that  we  shall  go  back 
To  the  old  * '  Raby  ' '  days  i  and  the  collar  be  black. 
An  amendment  is  moved,  by  whom  'tis  not  said, 
That  the  coat  and  the  collar  alike,  shall  be  red. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     143 


The  motion  is  put,  so,  I'll  as  you  advise 

Join  the  party  which  votes  with  the  '*  Raby  *' 

black  *  *  ayes  ' ' 
For  the  rest  of  the  Hunt ;   I  can  scarcely  suppose 
That  many  will  go  with  the  common  red  "  noes." 

It  is  believed  that  these  rules  are  still  in 
force,  as  there  is  no  record  of  their  having 
been  cancelled  or  amended  at  any  General 
Meeting  of  the  Hunt ;  which  would  appear 
to  be  necessary,  as  they  were  originally 
passed  at  such  a  Meeting. 

It  is  somewhat  difficult  now-a-days  to 
get  people  together,  but  I  think  it  would  be 
a  capital  thing  if  the  Hunt  Club  was  not 
merely  one  in  name  and  uniform,  but  one 
in  deed  ;  and  that  once  a  year  at  least,  a 
dinner  should  be  held  in  conformity  with  the 
principle  laid  down  by  Lord  Darlington, 
when  he  established  his  Hunt  Club  in  the 
Badsworth  country,  at  Ferrybridge.  ' '  That 
sportsmen  should  meet  together  pretty  often 
to  discuss  their  sport,  the  preservation  of 
foxes,  the  making  of  coverts,  and  anything 
likely  to  improve  the  country  from  a  fox- 
hunting point  of  view.'* 

Man  is  venal,  but  it  is  wonderful  what 
a  cheery  dinner,  good  company,  and  a  glass 
or  two  of  the  Foxhunter's  beverage  will  do 
in  the  way  of  smoothing  difficulties,  enlisting 
sympathy,  recruiting  keenness,  and  sustaining 
flagging  ardour. 

Writing  of  Hunt  Clubs,  reminds  me  of  one 
that  has,  I  daresay,  been  almost  forgotten; 
but  which  in  its  day  was  a  most  prosperous 


144    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


and  go-ahead  community.  It  was  called 
the  '  *  York  Union  Hunt  Club/ '  and  consisted 
of  members  from  all  the  Hunts  in  Yorkshire.* 
These  were  about  three  hundred,  and 
the  subscription  was  three  guineas  a 
year.  It  was  started  in  1835,  and  pros- 
pered well  till  about  1856,  when  the  annual 
Race  Meeting  connected  with  it  dropped 
out ;  and  as  a  Club,  after  this  date,  it  rather 
languished.  It  held  each  year  in  York,  a 
week  of  more  or  less  general  festivities. 
There  were  two  days  racing,  a  Hunt  ball,  and 
one,  if  not  two  other  dances. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  prin- 
cipal races  which  were  run  each  year. 

''The  Club  Gold  Cup.*'  ''The  Union 
Club  Stakes.''  "The  Ladies  Plate''  (a 
handicap,  to  which  was  generally  added  a 
silver  tea  service,  subscribed  for  by  the 
Ladies  connected  with  the  Club).  "The 
Farmer's  and  Tradesman's  Stakes."  ' '  The 
Champagne  Stakes,"  and  the  "York 
October  Race  Club  Stakes." 

My  father  and  my  uncles  regularly  ran 
horses  at  this  Meeting,  and  the  former  was 
fairly  lucky  in  his  attempts ;  as  he  ran 
second  for  the  Gold  Cup  in  1835,  with  a  mare 
called  Jewess,  won  a  travelling  clock  and 
stand  (race  not  mentioned),  in  1839,  with  a 
horse  called  Slyfellow.  Won  the  Gold  Cup 
in   1843,   with  a  horse  called  Linger opper. 


*  Vyner  in  his  '  Notitia  Venatica,'  states  the  number  was 
thirteen. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    145 


ridden  by  Captain  Oliver  ;  and  in  1844,  his 
Ranger  was  beaten  half  a  length  for  the  Gold 
Cup  by  Mr.  B.  B.  Thompson's  The  Hawk. 
Mr.  Henry  S.  Thompson,  the  father  of  Mr. 
George  S.  Thompson  (of  Moorlands,  and 
latterly  of  Newbuilding,  Thirsk),  was  the 
prime  mover  in  all  the  affairs  of  the  Club, 
sporting  and  festive,  and  the  Thompson 
family  generally  carried  off  a  good  many  of  the 
racing  trophies.  When  the  Club  race  meeting 
was  abandoned  in  1856,  it  gave  £100  to  be 
run  for  at  the  York  Spring  Meeting,  for 
hunters ;  and  Mr.  George  S.  Thompson 
rode  the  winner  of  the  last  race  held  under 
these  conditions.  So  it  seems  quite  appro- 
priate that  a  Thompson  should  figure  strong, 
at  the  start  and  finish  of  this  Club's  racing 
affairs. 

The  Club  had  a  button  with  a  very  pretty 
cypher  monogram  of  Y.U.H.C.   upon  it. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

1896—1898. 

Major  Henry  F.  Dent 
(second  mastership). 

Once  again  the  country  had  to  look 
outside  its  own  border  for  a  Master  to  succeed 
Captain  Wilson-Todd,  and  was  lucky  enough 
to  secure  the  services  of  Major  Dent,  who 
was  then  resident  at  his  own  place,  Mene- 
thorpe,  near  Malton. 

Major  Dent  had  always  a  great  fondness 
for  the  Bedale  country,  and  it  was,  I  think, 
with  much  pleasure  that  he  came  once  more 
to  preside  over  our  sporting  destinies.  He 
was  undoubtedly  a  first-rate  person  for 
the  position,  as  he  knew  all  about  the  business 
of  an  M.F.H.,  was  thoroughly  conversant 
with  the  country,  the  covert,  and  land  owners, 
as  also  the  farmers  ;  was  a  fine  horseman, 
and  devoted  to  fox-hunting.  During  the  two 
seasons  he  kept  the  hounds,  the  sport  was 
generally  good,  and  there  were  some  first- 
rate  gallops,  of  which  a  few  instances  will 
be  given. 

1896 — 97.     Early    in    November    of    this 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    147 


year,  the  whole  fox-hunting  world  had  to 
deplore  the  loss  of  one  of  its  most  venerated 
and  honoured  members,  Mr.  George  Lane- 
Fox,  of  Bramham  ;  who  passed  away  in  his 
eighty-sixth  year,  having  been  Master  of  the 
Bramham  Moor  Hounds  for  forty-eight  years. 
He  was  so  well  known  to  all,  that  little  need 
be  said  here  concerning  him,  except  to  remark 
that  by  his  death  we  lost  one  of  the  old 
school  of  Masters  of  Hounds  ;  and  a  fine 
type  of  the  English  country  gentleman. 
To  regulate  the  large  and  mixed  '  *  fields  ' ' 
which  from  the  West  Riding  towns  used  to 
swell  the  meets  of  the  Bramham,  was  no 
easy  task  ;  but  his  caustic  satire,  not  un- 
mixed with  a  good  deal  of  humour,  was  quite 
equal  to  the  occasion.  He  may  have  been 
severe  at  times,  but  whatever  he  said  was 
in  the  interest  of  sport — for  the  greater 
number. 

Major  Dent  retained  his  old  servant, 
Fred  Holland,  as  his  huntsman,  and  E. 
Parker  as  first  whipper-in. 

15th  January.  Although  there  was  no 
great  point,  and  the  fox  turned  a  bit,  yet 
the  following  was  a  good  hunt ;  and  was, 
I  recollect,  very  hard  on  horses,  as  the 
strong  land  rode  very  heavy.  Found  in 
Reedholmes  end  of  Pepper  Arden  Bottoms, 
away  at  once  due  north,  over  Cockleberry 
Farm  to  Dalton  Whin  (in  Lord  Zetland's 
country),  which  was  left  on  the  east,  then 
bore  left-handed  through  the  Halnaby  coverts, 
past    the    Hall,    and    still    left-handed    ran 


148    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


through  Church  Whin,  past  the  Quarry  at 
Middleton-Tyas,  over  the  Leeming  Lane  up 
to  Scotch  Corner,  into  the  Sedbury  coverts ; 
out  on  the  west  side,  then  still  bearing  left- 
handed,  ran  parallel  to  GilHng  Beck  nearly 
up  to  Skeeby  village  ;  turning  from  which 
place  the  fox  bore  north  again,  and  finally 
got  to  ground  in  an  old  stone  quarry,  near 
Morris  Grange.     One  hour  and  a  half. 

19th  February.  Hounds  met  at  Langton 
Hall,  and  there  was  a  very  large  ''  field  "  : 
Lord  Zetland's,  Lord  Middleton's,  The  York 
and  Ainsty,  the  Bramham  and  the  Hurworth 
Hunts  all  being  represented ;  needless  to 
say  all  were  on  the  ride,  and  as  Pepper 
Arden  Stell  twice  came  in  the  way,  there 
were  some  wet  jackets. 

Found  in  Wallace's  Plantation,  ran  sharp 
down  to  Danby  Wiske  village,  crossed  the 
Wiske,  up  to  Hutton  Bonville  Hall ;  past 
that,  pointing  for  Birkby  ;  but  after  running 
a  short  distance  in  that  direction,  re-crossed 
the  Wiske  and  went  to  Reedholmes  covert; 
ran  straight  through  this  and  parallel  to  the 
Wiske,  past  Pepper  Arden  Bottoms,  across 
the  east  end  of  the  Park,  and  headed  as  if  for 
North  Cowton  village  ;  before  reaching  here 
the  fox  made  a  turn  to  the  right,  crossed 
the  Hunt  boundary  road,  and  the  Richmond 
and  Darlington  railway  line  to  Dalton 
Junction.  Leaving  this  on  the  right,  he  bore 
on  northwards  up  to  the  Eryholme  and 
Dalton  cross  roads.  Here  there  was  a  slight 
check,  but  almost  before  hounds  could  be 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    149 


cast,  there  was  a  holloa  near  Dalton  Banks, 
and  hounds  quickly  picking  up  the  line 
marked  their  fox  to  ground  in  the  main 
*' earth  "  there.  One  hour  and  twenty 
minutes  up  to  the  check,  and  about  ten 
minutes  more  to  ground.  This  was  a  seven 
and  a  half  mile  point,  and  a  capital  gallop. 

24th  February  provided  a  most  excellent 
hunt  over  a  fine  line  of  country,  chiefly  in 
the  Hurworth,  but  finishing  in  the  Bilsdale. 

An  outlying  fox  was  found  on  the  east 
side  of  the  coverts  at  Wood  End,  which  ran 
direct  to  Thornton-le-Moor,  past  the  east 
end  of  the  village,  due  north  to  Thornton- 
le-Beans,  and  on  to  Crosby  Cote  ;  passing 
through  a  small  covert  here,  he  turned 
eastward  and  faced  the  hill,  through  the 
south  end  of  Sigston  Wood  ;  then  bore  off 
to  the  right,  and  passing  under  Over  Silton, 
turned  southwards  again  ;  and  leaving  the 
monument  to  Mr.  Warner,  near  Kepwick,  on 
the  left,  turned  to  the  village  of  Cowesby, 
where  he  was  lost.  I  have  not,  unfortunately, 
recorded  the  time  of  this  gallop.  As  hounds 
ran,  it  would  be  twelve  to  thirteen  miles, 
and  they  carried  a  fine  head  almost  the  whole 
of  the  run. 

It  is  possible  that  we  changed  foxes  in 
Sigston  Wood,  as  after  that  point,  the  scent 
was  not  quite  so  good  as  it  had  been. 

On  the  12th  March,  there  was  a  good  day's 
sport  in  the  north-west  country. 

After  a  good  hunt  in  the  morning  of  an 
hour  and  a  quarter,  from  Brough  (the  fox 


150    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


eventually  being  drowned  in  the  Swale  near 
Catterick  Bridge,  when  trying  to  cross  the 
river  which  was  in  heavy  flood),  hounds 
found  in  Thornhills  Whin,  and  ran  quickly 
across  to  Kennel  Whin.  From  here  he  turned 
back  through  Sandholes  Whin,  past  Arra- 
thorne,  and  skirting  Thornhills  Whin  went 
by  the  end  of  Black  Rigg  on  to  Wenlock 
Wood  ;  through  this  by  Newfound-England 
to  Laver  Gill  Quarry.  On  Barden  Moor 
there  was  a  slight  check,  but  hounds  were 
soon  going  again,  and  crossing  the  Half- 
penny House  road,  sank  the  hill,  leaving 
Barden  village  to  the  left,  through  the  west 
end  of  Forty  Acres  Wood,  across  into  Given- 
dale  Wood.  Here  he  doubled  short  back  and 
passing  by  the  end  of  Wham  Wood,  headed 
back  for  the  place  where  he  was  found. 
Near  Garriston  village,  a  very  heavy  storm 
of  sleet  came  on,  and  hounds  could  make  no 
more  of  him.  This  was  an  excellent  hunt 
of  two  and  a  half  hours,  over  a  fine  wild  piece 
of  country. 

1897—98.  On  the  3rd  December  there 
was,  late  in  the  afternoon,  a  very  quick  forty- 
five  minutes  from  Tunstall  Whin,  of  which 
B.  Champion  (then  Lord  Zetland's  hunts- 
man) saw  quite  the  best. 

Found  at  once,  broke  away  on  the  east 
side  towards  the  village  of  Tunstall,  then 
bore  left-handed  nearly  up  to  Brough  Hall, 
from  there  left-handed  by  Scotton  village, 
past  the  Old  Whin  at  Scotton,  to  the  west  of 
Thornhills  Whin,  down  towards  Hunton,  as 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    151 


if  Wild  Wood  was  his  point ;  being  headed 
on  the  Hauxwell  and  Hunton  road,  he  turned 
past  Arrathorne,  into  Claypits  covert  at 
Hornby ;  and  as  the  coverts  there  were  to  be 
shot  next  day,  hounds  were  stopped.  Up  to 
the  check,  hounds  never  dwelt  a  moment,  and 
one  had  to  gallop  hard  the  whole  time. 

10th  January.     Met  at  Leyburn. 

Found  a  leash  of  foxes  in  Mr.  C.  Scrope's 
Whin  at  Danby-on-Yore.  A  brace  were 
promptly  headed,  but  at  last  a  bold  one 
forced  his  way  past  *'  the  man  on  the  hill,'' 
and  ran  due  north  over  the  railway  by 
Scrogg's  Whin,  direct  to  Wham  Wood  at  Con- 
stable Burton.  Through  this  without  a 
pause,  past  the  east  end  of  Forty  Acres 
Wood,  leaving  Barden  village  to  the  right,  to 
the  cross  roads  by  Rabbit  Wood.  Time  to 
here  :  forty  minutes  of  the  best.  After  a 
slight  check,  hounds  hunted  merrily  on 
over  Barden  Moor  down  to  Laver  Gill  Quarry, 
from  here  he  took  a  turn  westward  and  ran 
towards  Downholme  village,  but  as  there 
was  a  very  strong  west  wind  blowing  he  sank 
it,  and  going  over  Waithwith  Common  turned 
into  Badger  Gill,  where  the  best  of  the  gallop 
finished.  Hounds  took  a  line  out  towards 
Hudswell  Banks,  where  he  had  probably  got 
to  ground. 

This  was  an  eight  mile  point,  about 
thirteen  as  hounds  ran,  and  the  time  was 
one   and  three-quarter  hours. 

28th  January  was  a  very  hard  day,  and 
although  foxes  rather  ran  in  circles,  it  was  a 
good  day's  sport. 


152    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Found  in  the  Big  Wood  at  Kiplin,  and  ran 
sharp  across  by  Forest  Farm  under  Atlay 
Hill,  nearly  to  Pepper  Arden  ;  turned  left- 
handed  past  Cowton  Whin  to  North  Cowton 
village,  then  southwards  through  Crosshills 
Plantation,  across  to  Uckerby  Whin,  and 
back  from  there  to  Cowton  Whin,  where 
hounds  ran  into  their  fox.  Another  went 
away  from  here  at  once,  and  ran  back  by 
Crosshills  and  Uckerby  Whin,  over  Lingy 
Moor  to  Moulton  Whin  ;  turned  back  from 
here  through  Uckerby,  past  Cowton  Whin, 
and  on  over  the  Park  at  Pepper  Arden  to  the 
Bottoms.  Running  parallel  to  the  Stell  for 
some  time,  he  turned  away  from  Reedholmes 
and  headed  over  the  hill  for  Felgill  Moor, 
short  of  which  covert,  hounds  were  run  out 
of  scent. 

On  the  4th  March,  Mr.  Scrope's  Whin  at 
Danby  provided  a  good  stout  fox  for  the 
fourth  time  this  season  (Mr.  Scrope  says  it 
was  always  the  same  fox,  and  he  named 
him  '*  White  Tag'').  He  ran  nearly  the 
same  line  as  has  been  described  on  the  10th 
January,  except  that  on  this  date  he  made 
first  of  all  direct  for  Hudswell  Banks,  then 
turning  westward  he  got  to  ground  in  Down- 
holme  Scar,  after  a  capital  run  of  one  hour 
and  twenty  minutes.  It  is  sad  to  relate  that 
this  gallant  fox  was  found  dead  in  Croft 
Wood  some  time  afterwards,  hounds  taking 
no  part  in  his  obsequies. 

At  the  end  of  this  season  Major  Dent 
announced  his  intention  of  giving  up   the 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    153 


hounds,  to  the  regret  of  all.  His  friends, 
old  and  new,  were  more  than  sorry  to  part 
with  one  who  had  hunted  the  country  so 
fairly  and  well,  who  had  shown  such  good 
sport,  and  who  was  such  an  excellent  Master, 
not  only  in  the  field,  but  the  kennel. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

1898—1904. 

The  Duke  of  Leeds. 
(George  Godolphin,  10th  Duke). 

"  None  but  an  'untsman  knows  an  'untsman's  cares.'* 

— Surtees. 

The  above  quotation  was  chosen  for  this 
Master  before  I  commenced  to  write  an 
account  of  his  Mastership.  Chance,  good 
luck,  call  it  what  you  will,  seems  to  have 
been  kind  in  my  selection,  as  in  the  speech 
the  Duke  made  in  acknowledging  the  gift 
of  a  testimonial  to  him,  he  said : 

* '  The  position  of  a  Master  of  Hounds  is 
not  always  a  bed  of  roses.  There  are  certain 
small,  disagreeable  duties  connected  with 
it.  There  are  occasions  when  things  go  a 
little  wrong,  and  one  feels  responsible  for 
the  apparent  failures  ;  but  an  occasion  like 
the  present  wipes  out  the  memory  of  such 
shortcomings.  I  assure  you  that  I  shall 
always  remember  the  very  happy  time  I 
have  had  as  a  Master  of  Hounds,  the  excel- 
lent   people   whom    I    have   met,    and    the 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    155 


extreme  kindness  which  has  been  shown 
to  me  on  all  hands/' 

Although  as  mentioned  at  the  end  of  the 
last  chapter,  the  country  lost  the  services  of 
Major  Dent,  it  had  not  to  look  very  far  for 
a  successor. 

After  a  lapse  of  eighty  years,  a  Duke  of 
Leeds  was  once  more  ready  to  keep  hounds. 
This  time,  not  to  hunt  in  the  "  far  west'  *  and 
run  into  Westmoreland,  but  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  now  well  established  *' Bedale.'' 

A  more  fitting  person  could  not  have  been 
found.  As  a  large  land  and  covert  owner, 
devoted  to  all  field  sports,  and  especially 
fond  of  a  quick  gallop  over  a  good  country, 
he  was  the  very  man  for  the  position,  and 
he  came  into  office  with  the  goodwill  and 
the  best  wishes  of  all. 

In  addition  to  the  regulation  three  days 
a  week,  the  Duke  kept  a  sufficient  number 
of  hounds  to  enable  him  to  hunt  a  fourth  ; 
on  which  he  hunted  hounds  himself,  devoting 
this  day  to  the  west,  north-west,  and  south- 
west sides  of  the  country,  where  he  had 
some  good  sport. 

Those  who  are  fond  of  hounds,  and  take 
an  interest  and  pride  in  the  pack  they 
regularly  hunt  with,  owe  a  very  great  debt 
of  gratitude  to  the  Duke.  For  some  years, 
puppies  at  '  *  Quarters  ' '  had  gone  wrong  ; 
many  ills  had  affected  those  which  * '  came 
in,"  and  there  was  rather  a  want  of  some 
large  quantity  of  fresh  young  blood  in  the 
kennel.     The   Duke   took   the  bull  by   the 


156    The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


horns,  and  purchased  in  the  years  1902  and 
1903  the  unentered  Belvoir  draft.  Twenty- 
three  couples  in  the  first  year,  sixteen  and 
a  half  in  the  second. 

With  this  most  soUd  foundation  has  been 
bred  the  present  pack  of  hounds.  I  think, 
full  of  quality,  even  in  colour,  make  and 
shape ;  full  of  drive,  and  especially  the 
bitches,  with  no  want  of  tongue. 

Out  of  the  1902  draft,  eleven  and  a  half 
couples,  and  out  of  the  1903  draft,  six 
couples,  were  ''put  on."  A  few  notes 
about  the  two  drafts  may  be  of  interest  to 
those  who  are  interested  in  the  breeding  of 
hounds.  Amongst  the  draft  of  1902  were 
the  following  bitches,  which  have  all  done 
well  in  their  work,  and  also  as  brood  bitches. 

'  Rosey,'  by  ^Vagabond,'  1899,  ^Rosa- 
mond,' 1899  (own  sister  to  'Romulus'  and 
'Ranter,'  both  used  at  Belvoir). 

'Various,'  by  'Villager,'  1897,  'Handmaid,' 
1899,  (own  sister  to  a  useful  dog,  '  Vaulter'). 

'  Bella  '  and  '  Balance,'  by  '  Villager,'  1897, 
'Blissful,'    1897. 

'Honesty,'  by  'Dexter,'  1905,  'Hopeful,' 
1894  (own  sister  to  'Belvoir  Handel,'  1899). 

'Record,'  by  'Dasher,'  1900,  'Rapid,' 
1898. 

'  Rakish,'  by  '  Stormer,'  1899,  '  Ringdove,' 
1895. 

'Verdant,'  by 'Dexter,'  1895,  'Verdant,' 
1895. 

'Saucy,'  by 'Dexter,'  1895,  'Sentiment,' 

1897. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    157 


Two  very  useful  dogs  are  also  included : 
'  Velox/  own  brother  to  'Various/  and 
'Valiant/  by 'Villager/  1897,  'Dauntless/ 

1897. 

'  Velox  '  was  used  in  the  kennel  a  great 
deal,  and  has  left  some  useful  stock. 

The  draft  of  1903  was  smaller,  and  the 
number  "put  on"  therefore  less. 

Two  first-rate  bitches,however,are  included, 

'Delicate,'  by  'Dexter,'  1895,  'Destiny' 
1898. 

'Safety,'  by  'Dexter,'  1895,  'Sentiment/ 

1897. 

'  Delicate '  is  own  sister  to  '  Daystar,'  and 
she  and  *  Safety '  are  not  only  very  good 
to  look  at,  but  nailers  in  their  work,  and  have 
thrown  some  good  whelps. 

A  dog,  'Warrener,'  by  *  Dexter,'  1905, 
'  Whimsey,'  1900,  is  worth  notice,  as  he  was 
used  a  good  deal.  His  stock  do  not  seem 
to  do  very  much  until  their  second  season. 

In  addition  to  the  above  most  far-reaching 
and  long-sighted  action,  the  Duke  was 
responsible  for  the  building  of  another  set 
of  kennels,  which  are  called  the  '  *  New 
Kennels." 

It  was  thought  that  the  Old  Kennels  were 
not  very  healthy,  so  he  urged  the  Hunt 
Committee  to  build  some  new  ones,  on 
higher  ground.  Thanks  to  a  most  liberal 
donation  of  ;£500  from  the  late  Lord  Masham, 
a  fund  to  defray  the  cost  was  started ;  and 
in  1902,  some  creosoted  wood  kennels  of 
excellent  form,  with  a  small  cottage  adjoining. 


158    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


were  erected  at  a  cost  of  £1200,  on  the  high 
ground,  south-west  of  the  Old  Kennels, 
between  the  Leeming  Lane  and  the  Low 
Street,  which  have  proved  of  great  use. 
Although  it  was  found,  after  a  thorough 
examination  of  the  drainage  system  (which 
was  in  a  most  deplorable  condition),  and  a 
slight  alteration  of  the  ventilation,  that  the 
Old  Kennels  were  all  that  could  be  desired 
for  any  pack  of  hounds;  now,  when  the 
puppies  come  in  from  *' Quarters'*  they 
are  sent  at  once  to  the  New  Kennels,  away 
from  the  working  hounds  and  whelping 
bitches.  About  the  first  week  in  May,  the 
old  hounds  are  also  moved  up,  thus  giving 
them  the  advantage  of  fresh  ground  and  a 
change  of  air,  also  enabling  the  Old  Kennels 
to  be  thoroughly  disinfected,  aired,  and 
painted.  Two  sets  of  kennels  may  seem 
to  be  a  very  expensive  way  of  housing  a 
pack  of  hounds,  as  there  are  dilapidations  on 
both  sets  of  buildings ;  at  times  there  are  two 
sets  of  coppers  going ;  extra  kennel-men 
are  required,  and  there  is  a  good  deal  more 
work  in  the  kennel  generally.  In  this  case 
as  the  buildings  were  there,  and  all  the  better 
for  use  during  some  period  of  the  year,  the 
system  I  have  mentioned  was  started,  and 
it  has  been  found  that  change  of  quarters 
is  most  beneficial  to  the  working  hounds, 
the  entry,  and  whelps.  All  have  done  ex- 
ceedingly well,  so  that  the  general  benefit 
seems  to  justify  the  extra  cost. 

The  Duke  retained  the  services  of  Fred 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    159 


Holland  as  his  huntsman,  who  thus  saw  his 
fifth  Master  in  office. 

1898—99.  On  the  26th  November,  there 
was  a  good  and  hard  day's  sport  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  country. 

Found  the  first  fox  in  Fearby  Low  Moor, 
ran  north  into  How  Wood,  turned  from  there 
to  the  west,  past  Spring  Wood,  to  the 
south  of  Healey  Cote  ;  on  the  south  side  of 
Agra  Plantation,  into  Birk  Gill,  towards  the 
top  end  of  which  hounds  carried  a  line,  but 
with  no  very  strong  head,  and  as  it  was  not 
desirable  to  go  on  to  the  Moor,  this  fox  was 
not  persevered  with.  A  good  hunting  run 
of  one  hour  and  tw^enty  minutes  over  a  fine 
sporting  piece  of  country.  The  second  fox 
was  found  in  Lord  Masham's  Whin  covert, 
and  went  through  the  south  end  of  ElHngton 
Firth,  on  to  Eelmire,  through  this,  and  down 
to  the  banks  of  the  Yore,  opposite  to  the 
Clifton  Castle  northern  coverts,  where  he  got 
to  ground.  A  quick  half-hour.  Found  a 
third  fox  in  Ellington  Firth,  which  hung  to 
the  covert  for  some  time,  but  at  last-  broke 
away  across  into  Eelmire,  turned  left- 
handed  from  here  to  Kilgram  Bridge,  across 
the  Park  at  Jervaulx  Abbey  ;  turned  up 
the  hill  towards  EUingstring  Plantation, 
and  bearing  right-handed,  skirted  Ramshaw 
Plantation  into  Witton  Fell,  where  hounds 
were  run  out  of  scent,  after  a  good  hunt  of 
forty  minutes. 

On  the  12th  December,  I  should  think  a 
''  poultry ' '  stealer  was  killed. 


160    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Found  in  Limekiln  Wood.  After  a  circular 
hunt  of  about  twenty-five  minutes,  the  fox 
took  refuge  on  the  roof  of  a  cottage  in  Cat- 
terick.  Being  dislodged  from  here,  he  bolted 
through  the  open  door  of  the  first  cottage 
he  came  to,  and  the  huntsman  going  in 
with  a  couple  or  two  of  hounds,  he  met  his 
death  on  the  floor  of  the  "  front  parlour," 
much  to  the  delight  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Catterick. 

On  the  13th  January,  there  was  a  capital 
gallop  from  Langton  Hall. 

Found  in  the  Temple  Wood.  Ran  across  to 
Thrintoft  Whin,  bore  left-handed  over  the 
carriage  drive  at  Langton,  towards  Langton 
Church,  crossed  the  Stell,  and  headed  north 
into  Streatlam  Plantation  ;  from  here  made 
a  left-handed  turn,  and  ran  bv  the  White 
House  and  Greenberry  Wood  almost  up  to  the 
Forest  Farm,  at  Kiplin  ;  turning  away  from 
this,  he  ran  under  Atlay  Hill  nearly  up  to  the 
Lodge  gates  at  Pepper  Arden  ;  turned  south 
up  to  Streatlam  village,  then  back  on  the 
east  side  of  Felgill  Moor,  down  towards 
Reedholmes,  along  the  west  side  of  Pepper 
Stell  into  Pepper  Arden  Bottoms,  and  from 
here  he  turned  east  over  the  Stell  as  if 
Frigerdale  Wood  was  his  point ;  but  being 
headed  short  of  Cowton  station,  he  turned 
back  into  Reedholmes,  where  there  was  a 
slight  check.  A  welcome  halloa  forwards 
put  matters  right ;  and  running  by  the  bank 
of  the  Wiske,  past  the  Crow  Wood  at  Hutton 
Bonville  and  Danby  Wiske  village,  hounds 


The  Bedale  Hounds.  1832-1908    161 


ran  into  their  fox  just  before  he  got  to  Mr. 
Gust's  Plantations.  A  first-rate  hour  and 
twenty  minutes. 

The  Pepper  Stell  took  toll  of  several  this 
day,  and  there  were  not  only  loose  horses, 
but  some  wet  riders  ;  the  former  on  the  east 
side  of,  and  the  latter  in  the  middle  of  the 
water. 

On  the  8th  April,  the  day  after  Catterick 
Races  in  this  year,  the  Duke  was  able  to  give 
a  good  day's  sport  to  a  very  large  ''  field," 
representative  of  many  Hunts. 

Hounds  found  at  once  by  the  lake 
at  Brough,  and  ran  very  quickly  past 
Brough  Whin  to  Scotton  ;  leaving  the  Hall 
on  the  north  they  went  direct  to  Thornhills 
Whin,  past  this,  over  the  Catterick  and 
Half-penny  House  road  down  to  Hauxwell. 
Here,  after  a  very  quick  thirty-five  minutes 
there  was  a  shght  check  ;  but  hounds  hit 
off  the  line  in  Obelisk  Wood,  ran  past  the 
front  of  Hauxwell  Hall,  turned  up  towards 
Hunton  village,  then  bore  right-handed  into 
Wild  Wood.  This  good  fox  had  gone  right 
through  the  wood,  but  being  headed  on  the 
east  side,  turned  over  the  Burton  Beck  to 
Croft  Wood,  ran  straight  through  this,  and 
leaving  Hutton  Hang  on  the  left,  headed 
direct  for  Mr.  Conyers  Scrope's  Whin,  at 
Danby.  As  it  was  known  there  was  a  strong 
litter  of  cubs  in  the  Whin,  hounds  were 
stopped  a  few  fields  from  it. 

1899—1900.  On  the  20th  January,  there 
was  a  sporting  but  circular  hunt.  The 
Duke,  this  day,  hunting  hounds. 


162    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Met  at  Danby-on-Yore.  Found  imme- 
diately in  Mr.  Scrope's  Whin,  and  ran  direct 
to  Constable  Burton  village,  on  towards 
Hauxwell,  leaving  the  Hall  on  the  west,  to 
Newfound-England  Quarry  ;  across  Hipswell 
Moor,  from  which  point  the  fox  bore  left- 
handed  to  Coldstorms  ;  across  the  Down- 
holme  and  Walburn  Hall  road,  past  Stainton 
village,  across  part  of  Walburn  and  Stainton 
Moors  to  the  Deerpark  at  Bellerby.  Here, 
after  hounds  had  been  running  for  one  hour 
and  ten  minutes,  there  was  a  slight  check  ; 
but  they  were  soon  going  again,  and  ran 
behind  the  Manor  House  at  Bellerby  to 
Harmby,  leaving  Leyburn  a  mile  to  the  west, 
then  on  into  Spennithorne  Wood,  where 
nothing  more  could  be  made  of  it.  He 
probably  got  to  ground  in  this  unstoppable 
place.  This  was  a  fine  gallop  of  sixteen 
miles.  Mr.  Scrope  ventured  the  modest 
sum  of  one  shilling  that  it  was  eighteen  ;  but 
acknowledging  his  error  as  a  ''judge  of 
distance,*'  the  same  evening  he  forwarded 
twelve  postage  stamps  to  his  debtor  at 
Middleham,  where  no  doubt  under  Mr.  John 
Osborne's  tuition  they  learn  to  be  good 
judges,  not  only  of  ' '  pace,' '  but  ' '  distance." 

On  the  24th  January,  there  was  a  good 
gallop,  and  a  patient  and  persevering  hunt, 
ending  in  blood,  from  Norton  Conyers. 

Found  at  once  in  Guy's  Whin.  Ran  past 
Bog  Wood  down  to  the  river  Yore,  away  from 
this  right-handed,  through  the  coverts  at 
Rushwood,  towards  Wath  village  ;    turning 


The  Bhdale  Hounds,  1832-1908     163 


away  from  here,  ran  past  Howgrave,  by 
Thornborough,  past  Langwith  House,between 
Horse  Close  Wood  and  Camp  Hill  Low  Wood 
to  Allinson's  Brick  Yards — west  of  Carthorpe 
village.  Turned  from  here  past  the  north 
end  of  Carthorpe,  up  to  Elam  House  on  the 
Leeming  Lane  ;  running  parallel  to  which 
for  some  distance  he  then  turned  back 
towards  Norton  Conyers,  and  leaving  Kirk- 
lington  village  and  Bury  Hills  on  the  right, 
touched  Howgrave,  and  so  back  to  Guy's 
Whin,  one  hour  and  twenty-seven  minutes, 
without  any  check. 

Hounds  then  hunted  round  and  about 
Norton  Conyers  for  another  two  hours,  and 
eventually  killed  a  fox  on  the  east  side  of  the 
house,  between  the  Park  wall  and  the  rail- 
way ;  after  a  total  hunt  of  three  hours  and 
thirty-five  minutes.  This  was  the  first  fox 
which,  when  hunting  the  hounds  himself, 
the  Duke  had  killed,  and  Sir  Reginald 
Graham  had  a  stone  put  up  to  mark  the 
place  where  hounds  had  pulled  him  down. 

A  story  concerning  this  stone,  and  the 
second  whipper-in,  during  the  following 
season,  is  to  be  found  in  Sir  Reginald 
Graham's  ''Foxhunting  Recollections.*'* 

1900—01.  On  the  12th  December  there 
was  a  good  hunt,  hounds  meeting  at  Slen- 
ingford  Park. 

Found  in  Ellerton  Banks,  and  ran  very 
quickly    across     the    Laver    nearly    up    to 

»  Page  136. 


164    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Winksley,  but  turned  left-handed  from  here 
to  the  Studley  coverts  ;  then  back  through 
Ellerton  Banks,  HolHn  Head  Wood,  Thieves 
Gill,  Juniper  and  Brown's  Wood  down  to  the 
river  Yore,  just  north  of  Ripon  Parks  Whin. 
The  fox  turned  away  from  the  river,  came 
back  by  North  Stainley  Hall,  across  Slening- 
ford  Park  and  out  towards  Mickley,  as  if 
Hackfall  was  his  point ;  but  turning  right- 
handed,  ran  parallel  to  the  river  up  to  Tan- 
field  Bridge,  crossed  the  Tanfield  and  Ripon 
road  towards  Tanfield  Mill,  close  to  which 
hounds  pulled  him  down,  as  he  was  trying 
to  cross  the  river. 

Time,  one  hour  and  thirty-five  minutes, 
hounds  worked  admirably. 

On  the  9th  March,  the  Duke  gave  Lord 
Zetland's  Hounds  a  day  in  the  Bedale  country, 
and  Constable  Burton  was  fixed  upon  as  the 
place  of  meeting.  There  was  a  large  ' '  field," 
representative  of  Lord  Zetland's  and  the 
Bedale,  as  well  as  a  good  many  people  from 
various   other  packs. 

A  fox  was  found  in  Givendale  Wood,  which 
went  away  at  once  to  Spennithorne  village ; 
leaving  this  to  the  south,  hounds  ran  very 
quickly  over  the  pastures  below  Harmby 
village  pointing  for  Leyburn  ;  but  turning 
away  from  here,  he  went  down  to  and  over 
the  river  Yore  (in  crossing  which  several 
people  missed  the  ford,  got  into  deep  water, 
and  had  to  swim  out),  and  made  up  on  to 
Middleham  Moor,  where  he  got  to  ground 
after  a  pretty  hunt  of  forty  minutes.     It 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    165 


was  only  a  small  place,  so  he  was  bolted  and 
killed. 

1901—02.  It  is  not  very  often  that  two 
packs  of  hounds  actually  meet  when  hunting 
a  fox,  but  I  find  in  my  hunting  diary  that 
this  happened  on  the  25th  January,  when 
I  was  hunting  with  the  York  and  Ainsty.    i 

The  York  had  met  at  Dalton  village,  and 
Lord  Middleton's  hounds  at  Gilling  Castle. 
During  the  afternoon  the  two  packs  met  in 
one  of  the  Newburgh  coverts.  The  York 
had  run  well  from  Peep  o'  Day  Whin,  by 
Oulston  and  Pond  Head  Wood  to  Yearsley, 
and  near  this  place  Mr.  Lycett  Green  came 
across  a  whipper-in  of  Lord  Middleton's. 
Soon  afterwards,  several  of  Lord  Middleton's 
hounds  joined  in  the  cry  of  the  York,  and 
although  at  first  they  seemed  somewhat 
surprised  at  their  companions,  they  ran 
merrily  on  till  the  York  fox  was  eventually 
marked  to  ground  near  Gilling  Castle.  The 
field  had  also  got  somewhat  mixed,  some 
of  the  York  were  with  Lord  Middleton's 
hounds,  some  of  Lord  Middleton\s  with 
the  York. 

Seven  and  twenty  years  ago(October  1881), 
I  saw  much  the  same  thing  happen  with  the 
Holderness  and  Lord  Middleton's.  I  was 
hunting  with  the  Holderness.  We  found  at 
North  Dalton  Whin,  and  ran  across  by 
Haywold,  Huggate  and  Paine  Slack  to 
Fimber  station ;  and  crossed  the  railway  into 
a  big  wood  on  the  east  side  of  it.  Here 
the  Holderness  first  whipper-in  met  another 


166    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


whipper-in,  who  on  being  asked  whether  he 
had  seen  anything  of  a  run  fox,  rephed  *  *0h 
yes,  he*s  gone  to  the  right,  not  three  minutes 
in  front  of  you.'*  Of  course  the  fox  had 
gone  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  seeing  he 
was  nearly  beat,  the  whipper-in  holloaed  Lord 
Middleton's  hounds  on  to  the  Holderness 
fox,  and  eventually  the  two  packs  of  hounds 
got  joined  together,  and  were  hunting  this 
fox.  He  was  killed,  and  I  was  told  at  the 
time  that  a  Holderness  hound  rolled  him 
over,  which  seems  only  fair.  It  was  a  pretty 
sight,  to  see  the  two  huntsmen,  George  Ash 
and  Wm.  Burton,  drawing  their  hounds  after 
the  fox  had  been  broken  up. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  Fred  Holland, 
who  had  hunted  the  hounds  for  twenty 
years,  and  served  under  five  Masters, 
ceased  to  carry  the  horn,  and  retired  into 
private  life. 

At  a  large  Meeting  of  hunting  people, 
presided  over  by  the  Master,  he  was  presented 
by  the  Honble.  George  Lascelles  with  the 
sum  of  ;f920,  which  had  been  subscribed 
by  members  of  the  Hunt  and  others,  as  a 
token  of  their  appreciation  of  his  services. 

A  few  days  later,  he  was  presented  with  an 
address  and  a  purse  of  one  hundred  guineas, 
by  the  farmers  and  other  friends,  who  like- 
wise testified  their  esteem  for  him. 

The  Duke  engaged  as  his  new  huntsman, 
Harry  Chandler,  who  had  been  first  whipper- 
in  with  the  York  and  Ainsty,  and  had  hunted 
the  Morpeth  Hounds. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    167 


1902 — 03.  Sport  this  year  was  only  fair, 
and  there  is  no  run  of  any  special  merit  to 
mention. 

1903—04.  On  the  8th  January  there 
was  a  good  gallop  from  Cowton  Whin. 

Found  there,  and  ran  very  quickly  to 
Crosshills  Plantation,  crossed  the  Scorton  road 
close  to  Mack's  Nursery  Garden,  over  Forest 
Farm,  rather  as  if  Cowton  Whin  was  the 
point ;  but  the  fox  turned  right-handed 
under  Atlay  Hill,  by  Pepper  Arden  Hall,  over 
the  Bottoms  there  as  if  for  Reedholmes,  then 
past  Cowton  station,  on  to  Dalton  Whin  (in 
Lord  Zetland's  country) ;  he  did  not  enter 
this  covert,  but  bore  left-handed,  and  hounds 
were  run  out  of  scent  (possibly  he  got  to 
ground)  a  mile  north  of  North  Cowton  village, 
after  a  good  hunt  of  one  hour  and  forty 
minutes. 

On  the  1st  February  Mr.  Scrope's  Whin 
again  provided  a  good  stout  fox,  which  went 
away  at  once  into  Spennithorne  Banks,  ran 
the  length  of  this  covert  and  away  north, 
over  the  railway  up  to  Givendale .  Wood. 
From  here  he  turned  left-handed  and  went 
back  as  far  as  Leyburn  station,  still  bearing 
to  the  left ;  under  the  village  of  Spennithorne, 
over  the  Park  at  Danby,  and  crossed  the 
Yore,  leaving  East  Witton  on  the  immediate 
right.  From  here  he  rose  the  hill,  and  ran 
past  Ramshaw  Plantation,  along  the  crest 
of  the  hill  as  far  as  Ellingstring,  then  again 
he  sought  the  low  ground  and  dropped  down 
into    Ellington    Firth,    eventually    running 


168    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


hounds  out  of  scent  near  High  ElHngton, 
after  a  good  hunt  of  two  and  three-quarter 
hours. 

On  the  8th  February,  hounds  killed  a 
badger  in  Horse  Close  Wood. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  to  the  regret  of 
all,  the  Duke  of  Leeds  gave  up  the  hounds. 
He  had  been  unlucky  in  some  ways  during 
his  Mastership,  as  he  had  two  or  three  bad 
falls,  which  kept  him  out  of  the  saddle  for 
a  long  period  on  each  occasion,  and  his  last 
season  he  was  able  to  hunt  very  little,  as  he 
was  laid  up  for  many  weeks  with  an  attack 
of  scarlet  fever.  In  addition  to  his  personal 
misfortunes,  the  mange  epidemic  appeared 
in  rather  a  bad  form  ;  so  that  foxes  were  in 
some  parts  of  the  country  difficult  to  find, 
and  there  were  some  long  and  dragging  days. 

The  members  of  the  Hunt  and  other  friends 
presented  to  him  a  large  silver  model  of  a 
fox,  on  an  ebony  stand,  as  a  token  of  '  *  their 
esteem  and  regard,  as  an  appreciation  of  his 
unfailing  courtesy,  and  in  grateful  recog- 
nition of  the  immense  services  which  he  had 
rendered  to  the  Hunt.'* 

The  presentation  was  made  at  Bedale, 
on  the  opening  of  the  season  1904 — 05,  by 
Sir  Reginald  Graham,  Bart.  Captain  David 
Lascelles,  who  had  been  Honorary  Secretary 
of  the  Hunt  for  the  long  period  of  eighteen 
years,  also  signified  his  wish  to  hand  over 
his  duties  to  a  younger  man,  and  Mr.  Richard 
Booth,  of  Warlaby,  was  appointed  in  his 
place.     The  post  of  Honorary  Secretary  is 


N 


W- 


Wood. 


Po&eCey 


C5-^-^ 


3/0 cH  Line  .  O/c/  Boanafaty. 
Dotted  Line  .  Nerr        "      Oct./^oj^. 


15 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     169 


by  no  means  a  sinecure  !  In  addition  to 
much  correspondence  on  a  multitude  of 
matters,  the  settlement  of  poultry  claims 
(that  ever  increasing  hunting  scourge) 
demands  a  lot  of  time,  many  interviews,  and 
an  infinity  of  tact  and  good  humour  ;  besides 
which,  according  to  Mr.  Jorrocks,  *'  In  the 
field,  a  good  '  Sec*  ought  always  to  be  ready 
to  leap  first  over  any  awkward  place,  or 
catch  the  M.F.H's.  'oss,  if  he  happens  to 
lead  over/' 

The  thanks  of  the  country  for  the  work 
he  had  done  during  so  many  years  were 
tendered  to  Captain  Lascelles,  accompanied 
by  the  gift  of  a  pair  of  silver  ^ve  branch 
candelabra,  and  four  single  candlesticks  to 
match   them. 

Captain  Lascelles*  father  (The  Honble. 
George  Lascelles)  was  Honorary  Secretary 
from  the  year  1869  to  1886  ;  so  that  father 
and  son  have,  between  them,  done  much 
sporting  work  for  the  country,  during  a  period 
of  thirty-five  years. 

1904.  In  this  year  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  Hunt,  where  it  adjoins  the  York  and 
Ainsty  country,  between  the  river  Yore  and 
Pateley  Bridge,  was  adjusted  by  Sir  Reginald 
Graham,  Bart,  (then  Chairman  of  the  Hunt 
Committee),  in  consultation  with  Mr.  E. 
Lycett  Green,  Master  of  the  York  and  Ainsty 
Hounds,  and  his  Hunt  Committee  ;  the 
following  line  being  agreed  upon. 

The  main  road  from  Pateley  Bridge  to 
Ripon,  up  to  the  point  where  it  divides  to 


170    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Grantley  Hall  and  Sawley  Hall ;  following 
the  latter,  leaving  Sawley  on  the  south, 
Skell  Bank  Wood  and  Fountains  Hall  on 
the  north,  by  Markenfield  Hall,  up  to  HoUin 
Hall,  which  is  left  on  the  south,  across  the 
Ripon  and  Bishop  Monkton  road,  due  east, 
up  to  the  river  Yore. 

By  this  arrangement,  the  country  round 
Sawley  and  Ingerthorpe  Halls  was  handed 
over  to  the  York  and  Ainsty  (they  had  hunted 
there  on  sufferance  for  some  years),  and  the 
Bedale  acquired  a  small  piece  of  country  due 
south  of  Ripon,  bounded  on  the  east  by  the 
Yore,  on  the  west  by  the  Ripon  and  Harro- 
gate road,  and  on  the  south  by  the  above- 
mentioned  new  southern  boundary. 


CHAPTER     X, 

1904—1908. 
John  J.  Moubray. 

*'  Avoid  chopping  and  changing,  we  know  what  we 
have;   but  we  don't  know  what  we  may  get." 

Surtees. 

"  Happy  are  they  who  go  out  to  please  themselves, 
and  not  to  astonish  others." — Surtees. 

1904 — 05.  A  successor  to  the  Duke  of 
Leeds  was  not  a  very  easy  person  to  find ; 
but  eventually,  Mr.  J.  J.  Moubray, of  Naemoor, 
Perthshire,  was  induced  to  take  his  place. 
Mr.  Moubray,  although  chiefly  resident  in 
Scotland,  had  hunted  for  many  seasons  with 
the  Bedale — in  fact  from  the  date  of  his 
marriage  (in  1893)  to  Miss  Booth,  daughter 
of  Mr.  WilUam  Booth,  of  Oran,  and  niece  of 
Mr.  John  Booth — so  he  was  by  no  means  a 
stranger  to  the  country,  and  it  was  a  source 
of  much  satisfaction  to  very  many,  that  one 
so  closely  allied  to  a  most  popular  Master's 
family  should  preside  over  the  *  *  ups  and 
downs  '*  of  the  Hunt. 

Mr.  Moubray  engaged  as  his  huntsman 
Frank  Freeman,  who  had  been  first  whipper- 
in    to    the    Cheshire,  and    had   served    his 


172    The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


apprenticeship  to  hounds  under  a  first  rate 
tutor,  Will  Dale,  with  the  Brocklesby. 

His  choice  of  a  young  man  was  fully 
justified  ;  as  after  showing  some  very  good 
sport  for  two  seasons,  Freeman  was  induced 
to  desert  the  Bedale  for  the  Pytchley  country, 
in  which  he  has  not  only  killed  his  foxes,  but 
has  shown  the  large  fields  there  some  first- 
rate  gallops. 

He  had  to  commence  his  huntsman's 
career  under  some  slight  disadvantages,  as 
the  whole  of  the  Kennel  staff,  inside  and  out, 
were  entirely  a  new  lot.  The  kennels,  the 
hounds,  and  the  country  were  unknown  to 
all,  with  the  exception  of  a  second  horseman, 
who  had  a  knowledge  of  the  roads  (they  only, 
we  will  hope). 

Having  had  a  good  deal  to  do  with  him, 
I  can  say  that  there  was  no  difficulty  made 
which  was  not  at  once  met  or  over-ruled, 
and  from,  the  day  he  entered  the  kennels 
to  the  day  he  left,  no  hitch  of  any  sort 
occurred. 

His  hounds  were  very  soon  devoted  to 
him,  and  when  it  came  to  hunting,  he  could 
do  anything  with  them.  This,  combined 
with  a  fine  eye  for  a  country,  an  instinctive 
knowledge  of  the  run  of  a  fox,  a  most  reten- 
tive landscape  memory  (he  never  forgot  a 
covert  or  a  road  he  had  once  been  into  or  on 
to),  together  with  being  a  very  fine  strong 
and  quiet  horseman,  soon  made  him  at  home 
in  the  field,  and  all  went  as  smoothly  as  pos- 
sible.    During  this  year  there  was,  generally 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    173 


speaking,  good  sport,  and  one  or  two  excellent 
gallops.  The  very  good  work  done  by  the 
bitches  of  the  Belvoir  drafts  must  have 
been  a  source  of  great  gratification  to  the 
Duke  of  Leeds,  proving  how  exceedingly 
wise  and  beneficial  to  the  pack  had  been  his 
purchase  of  them. 

We  all  of  us  receive  strange  requests  at 
times,  and  the  following  is  one  which  was 
sent  to  Sir  Henry  Beresford-Pierse,  when  the 
Duke  of  Leeds  gave  up  the  hounds.  Whether 
it  was  seriously  meant,  or  only  written  in 
chaff,  is  hard  to  say. 

''H 1 n. 

February  27th,  1904. 
Sir.  I  beg  to  ask  the  favour  of  your  influence 
in  order  to  get  me  the  Mastership  of  the 
Bedale  Hounds,  on  the  resignation  of  His 
Grace  The  Duke  of  Leeds.  Probably  the 
only  kind  of  office  I  shall  be  able  to  get,  as 
I  am  too  old  for  Parliament.  I  do  not  see 
that  it  is  requisite  for  a  Master  of  Hounds 
to  have  a  large  range  of  stabling,  in  order  to 
take  in  the  horses  of  gentlemen  desiring  to 
hunt. 

Stabling  can  always  be  had  in  a  place  like 
Bedale,  for  such  purpose.  I  have  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  district,  a  great  love  for 
horses,  and  at  one  time  was  a  fair  good  rider. 
The  house  occupied  by  the  late  Mr.  A.  at 
P.  B.,  would  be  quite  large  enough  for  me, 
and  you  can  appoint  an  elderly  lady,  if  you 
wish,    to   share   with   me   the   expenses    of 


174    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


housekeeping.  An  income  of  £700  a  year, 
exclusive  of  all  Hunt  expenses,  would  be 
sufficient  for  me.  Hoping  to  hear  full  par- 
ticulars. 

I  am,  dear  Sir,       yrs.  truly, 

H.'  C.  W. 

How  moderately  easy  would  be  the  position 
of  a  Master  of  Hounds,  if  we  could  engage 
ourselves  in  that  capacity,  under  the 
above  conditions !  !  The  only  proviso 
being,  that  one  should  be  a  bachelor,  and 
the  elderly  housekeeper,  perhaps  a  '*  crab.*' 
To  turn  from  the  comic  to  the  sad  ;  in  May 
of  this  year,  a  very  good  friend  to  fox-hunting 
passed  away  in  the  person  of  Admiral  The 
Honble.  W.  C.  Carpenter,  whose  coverts  at 
Kiplin  were  always  a  sure  find.  Although 
very  short-sighted,  he  rode  most  gallantly, 
up  to  the  end  of  his  life,  on  well-bred  horses  ; 
and  when  hounds  really  ran,  '  *  The 
Admiral ' '  was  generally  not  very  far  from 
their  sterns. 

1904—05.  On  the  8th  October,  a  some- 
what curious  incident  happened  when  hounds 
met  at  Newton  House.  Much  to  my  sur- 
prise when  I  got  there  some  minutes  before 
the  time  advertised  for  meeting,  I  heard 
hounds  running  hard  in  Gatenby  wood. 
As  I  was,  owing  to  the  Master's  absence,  in 
charge  that  day,  I  was  much  annoyed  at 
the  huntsman  having  moved  off  before  my 
arrival.  It  turned  out  to  have  been  unin- 
tentional.    As   hounds   were   coming   along 


The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908    175 


the  Leeming  Lane,  not  far  from  Clapham 
Lodge,  they  winded  a  fox  ;  were  on  to  the 
line  in  a  second,  and  whipper-in  and  horn 
were  useless.  They  crashed  through  the 
grounds  at  Newton  House,  and  so  across  to 
the  Wood,  where  I  heard  them. 

Needless  to  say  my  vexation  was  tem- 
porary, and  my  admiration  for  the  nose  and 
dash  of  the  hounds,  who  would  not  be 
stopped,   unbounded. 

On  the  2nd  December  there  was  a  hard, 
a  long,  and  a  good  day's  sport. 

Hounds  met  at  Kiplin.  Found  in  the  Big 
Wood  and  ran  nearly  up  to  Forest  Farm,  then 
turned  right-handed  over  the  low  ground 
under  Atlay  Hill,  over  the  Northallerton 
and  Cowton  road  into  Pepper  Arden  Park  ; 
after  dodging  round  this  for  a  short  time 
the  fox  sought  refuge  under  the  kitchen 
garden  wall,  where  hounds  killed  him,  after 
a  very  quick  twenty-five    minutes. 

Mr.  Stobart  then  suggested  drawing  the 
rushy  Bottoms  on  the  north  side  of  the  Hall, 
as  a  fox  had  often  been  seen  there.  ' '  The 
oft'  viewed  ' '  was  not  in  this  case  '  *  absent," 
but  was  on  his  **  tuft,"  and  went  away  at 
once,  straight  to  Cowton  Whin  ;  past  that, 
and  on  to  Crossbills  Plantation,  from  which 
place  he  doubled  back  again,  passing  Cowton 
Whin,  nearly  up  to  East  Cowton  ;  then  over 
Cockleberry  Farm  to  Dalton  Whin.  There 
was  no  pause  here,  and  hounds  ran  straight 
on  to  the  Halnaby  coverts,  on  the  north 
side    of    which,    after    some    time    hunting 


176    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


him  up  and  down  a  narrow  strip  of  plan- 
tation, hounds  killed  their  fox,  after  a  very 
good  hunt  of  one  hour  and  thirty-five 
minutes. 

The  third  fox  was  found  in  Uckerby  Whin, 
late  in  the  afternoon,  and  as  the  two  previous 
gallops  had  been  enough  for  the  larger 
portion  of  the  * '  field, ' '  there  were  not  many 
to  see  this  gallop,  which  was  quick,  as  long 
as  it  lasted. 

The  fox  broke  away  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Whin,  over  the  rough  fields  down  to 
Uckerby  village  ;  then  turning  right-handed 
ran  on  to  Kirk  Bank  ;  from  here,  past  the 
Quarry  at  Middleton-Tyas  (the  earth  in  which 
place,  a  kind  friend  hearing  hounds  running, 
promptly  went  and  blocked),  up  to  the 
Leeming  Lane  at  Scotch  Corner.  The  fox  had 
evidently  gone  on  into  the  Sedbury  coverts, 
but  as  it  was  then  nearly  dark,  hounds  were 
stopped.  The  Master  and  about  three  others 
being  the  only  ones  left. 

On  the  20th  February,  hounds  met  at 
Thorp  Perrow,  having  a  good  and  some- 
what memorable  day. 

Found  in  Low  Park  Wood  and  ran  up  to 
Well  village,  then  turned  by  Holly  Hill, 
across  to  the  Belts ;  up  this  covert,  across  the 
Well  and  Masham  road  to  Round  Hills 
Plantation  ;  from  here  across  to  Upbank 
Wood,  through  this,  past  the  level  railway 
crossing  on  the  Aldburgh  carriage  drive,  into 
Heslett's  Wood  and  forward  toTanfield  Banks. 
Here  the  fox  made  a  left-handed  turn  and 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     177 


ran  nearly  down  to  Tanfield  village,  then  north 
as  if  for  Nosterfield,  but  bearing  right- 
handed  again,  passed  Rushwood  Hall, 
through  the  end  of  Mr.  Nussey's  Whin 
covert,  over  the  Masham  railway,  to  Norton 
Conyers  Park,  just  outside  a  narrow  strip  of 
plantation;  on  the  north  side  of  which, 
hounds  ran  into  him,  after  a  very  good  hunt 
of  one  hour  and  forty  minutes.  Thirteen 
miles  as  hounds  ran. 

Another  fox  went  away  from  the 
plantation  while  hounds  were  breaking 
up  this  one,  but  nothing  much  could  be 
done  with  him.  A  third  fox  was  found  in 
Coronation  Whin,  Thorp  Perrow,  which 
ran  very  sharply  south,  along  the  top  of 
Gybdykes,  through  Low  Burton  W^ood, 
crossed  the  Well  and  Masham  road  just 
above  Masham  station,  through  Round 
Hills,  the  east  end  of  Upbank  Wood,  across 
into  Heslett's  Wood.  Here  there  was  a 
slight  check,  but  hounds  hit  off  the  line  on 
the  south  side  of  the  wood  and  ran  on  into 
Tanfield  Banks,  where  I  think  a  change  of 
foxes  took  place.  They  crossed  the  river 
Yore,  which  was  in  flood  and  too  deep  to 
ford,  into  Hackfall ;  and  Freeman  tried 
to  blow  them  back  from  this  covert.  There 
must  have  been  a  rare  good  scent  with  this 
fox,  as  he  could  not  get  any  hounds  back. 

Tanfield  and  Masham  bridges  were  the 
only  two  ways  of  getting  across  the  river, 
so  the  first  whipper-in  was  sent  to 
Tanfield,  and  Freeman  went  over  Masham 


178    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


bridge;  hoping  by  this  means  to  pick  up 
hounds  at  one  end  or  the  other  of  Hackfall. 
By  the  time  the}^  got  round  there  was  no 
sign  whatever  of  the  hounds,  and  they  were 
reported  to  have  been  seen  running  hard 
through  Hutt  Gill,  pointing  for  Kirkby  Mal- 
zeard  Moor.  Although  search  was  made 
all  over  the  Moor  until  late  at  night,  nothing 
could  be  heard  of  them,  and  much  to  his 
sorrow  and  regret.  Freeman  reached  Kennels 
after  midnight  without  his  hounds. 

The  next  morning,  however,  came  the 
welcome  news  that  the  greater  portion  of 
the  pack  was  at  Ramsgill  (in  Nidderdale, 
about  four  miles  from  Pateley  Bridge),  near 
which  place  it  is  supposed  they  killed  their 
fox,  as  they  were  seen  close  behind  him 
at  Carlsmoor.  By  the  afternoon  of  the 
22nd  February,  every  hound  had  turned 
up,  and  none  were  any  worse  for  their 
absence  from  Kennel. 

On  the  3rd  March,  meeting  at  Hutton 
Bonville,  there  was  a  good  day's  sport. 
Found  a  fox  in  the  south  end  of  the  Whins 
on  High  Magdalen  Farm,  which  turned  to- 
wards the  railway,  and  ran  more  or  less 
parallel  to  it  up  to  Dalton  Junction.  Here, 
hounds  had  a  miraculous  escape.  An  express 
train  came  suddenly  round  a  corner  while 
they  were  crossing  the  rails,  and  it  looked 
as  if  they  must  be  cut  to  ribbons.  I  hap- 
pened to  be  close  to  the  railway  fence  when 
the  train  appeared,  and  turned  away  my 
head  while  it  passed,  expecting  to  see  the 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    179 


line  strewn  with  corpses.  When  it  had 
gone  by,  one  bitch,  'Warfare,'  only  was 
injured,  she  having  about  six  inches  of  her 
stern  cut  off,  but  she  was  soon  hunting 
again.  I  am  inchned  to  think  that  the  great 
current  of  air  caused  by  the  speed  of  the 
train,  swept  or  frightened  away  from  the 
metals  both  those  hounds  which  were  just 
over  or  just  about  to  cross  the  set  of  rails  on 
which  the  train  was  travelling,  and  if  the 
train  had  been  slowing  down,  or  going  at 
a  much  lower  rate  of  speed,  there  would 
have  been  more  casualties.  It  was,  however, 
a  most  providential  escape,  but  a  sickening 
sight  to  witness.  After  this  unforeseen  check, 
hounds  soon  picked  up  the  line,  and  ran  very 
quickly  past  Dalton  village  to  the  road  under 
the  railway  bridge  at  Croft,  where  the  fox 
was  seen  only  about  fifty  yards  in  front  of 
them.  From  this  point  nothing  more  could 
be  made  of  it,  the  road  soon  got  blocked  up 
with  steaming  horses,  and  a  ''cast"  was  a 
farce.  This  was  a  very  quick  gallop  of 
twenty  minutes,  and  it  was  unlucky  not 
getting  hold  of  our  fox. 

In  the  afternoon  a  fox  was  found  in 
Cowton  Whin,  which  hounds  hunted  only 
slowly,  towards  Uckerby,  then  right-handed 
by  Cramble  Cross  towards  Dalton  Whin ; 
bearing  right-handed  he  crossed  the  Hunt 
boundary  road,  when  we  either  changed 
foxes,  or  scent  improved  in  a  most  marvel- 
lous fashion  ;  as  from  this  point  hounds  ran 
very    fast    along    Pepper    Arden    Bottoms 


180    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


leaving  the  Hall  on  the  right,  towards  Reed- 
holmes  ;  short  of  which  he  crossed  the 
Pepper  Stell,  as  if  Frigerdale  Wood  was  his 
point.  Being  headed  on  the  hill  between 
East  Cowton  and  Birkby,  he  turned  back 
through  Reedholmes  covert,  and  ran  parallel 
to  the  Wiske  up  to  Hutton  Bonville  Hall, 
opposite  which  he  crossed  the  river,  had  a 
look  at  the  ''  earth ' '  by  the  Church,  went  on 
across  the  Park,  and  over  the  railway,  as  if  for 
the  Old  Whin  ;  but  being  headed  short  of  this, 
retraced  his  steps  over  the  Park,  and  was  killed 
at  the  back  of  the  stables  at  Hutton  Bonville, 
after  an  excellent  hunt  of  one  hour  and  ten 
minutes,  of  which  fifty  minutes  was  fast. 

1905—06.  On  the  8th  November  there 
was  a  rare  scent  in  the  early  part  of  the  day, 
as  hounds  were  able  to  push  a  run  fox  through 
Hackfall  from  South  to  North,  bring  him 
half  way  back  (by  the  Castle),  and  eventually 
kill  him  not  far  from  the  Old  Whin  at  Azerley, 
after  going  round  by  Grewelthorpe,  the 
Barras  Wood,  Sleningford  Park,  Pond  Wood, 
and  Thunder  Wood.  One  hour  and  twenty 
minutes. 

The  8th  December  was  a  sporting  day,  and 
there  was  a  large  field  out,  many  people  from 
Lord  Zetland's,  the  Hurworth,  and  other 
packs  of  Hounds  being  present.  Hounds 
met  at  Kiplin,  and  found  at  once  in  the  Big 
Wood.  After  a  short  time  in  covert,  the  fox 
went  away  towards  Greenberry  wood ;  leaving 
this  on  the  left  he  went  on  up  to  Streatlam 
village,  past  the  Whin,  towards  Danby  Wiske 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    181 


village ;  bearing  right-handed  from  here, 
he  went  down  the  banks  of  the  Wiske,  past 
the  east  side  of  Danby  Grange,  and  was 
marked  to  ground  there,  after  a  very  fast 
twenty-five  minutes.     A  four  mile  point. 

Another  fox  was  found  in  Felgill  Moor,  but 
the  covert  was  so  thick,  it  was  some  time 
before  hounds  could  force  him  away.  He 
eventually  broke  towards  Kiplin,  and  ran  over 
the  Forest  Farm  ;  taking  a  right-hand  turn 
from  here  he  went  up  Atlay  Hill,  crossed  the 
road  into  the  Park  at  Pepper  Arden,  on  into 
Pepper  Bottoms  and  crossed  Pepper  Stell,  as 
if  for  East  Cowton.  He  was  headed  short  of 
the  village,  and  turned  back  towards  Birkby, 
then  across  into  Reedholmes,  where  a  fresh  fox 
was  on  foot.  Hounds  stuck  to  the  hunted 
one,  and  ran  along  the  Wiske  side  up  to  the 
Crow  Wood  at  Hutton  Bonville,  where  the  fox 
crossed  the  Wiske,  ran  past  the  Church,  over 
the  railway,  to  the  Old  Whin.  Time  up  to  this 
point,  one  and  a  half  hours.  Here,  in  this 
"home  for  foxes,'*  hounds  unluckily  got 
on  to  a  fresh  one,  and  ran  a  sharp  ring  of  half 
an  hour  out  towards  Yafforth  and  back  to 
Danby  Wiske  village — to  ground.  As  the 
run  fox  had  been  seen  * '  dead  beat  ' '  in  the 
Old  Whin  at  Hutton  Bonville,  the  Master  took 
hounds  back  there,  on  the  chance  of  well- 
earned  blood.  Soon  the  bitches  "feather." 
They  speak,  they  are  all  together — all  is  well ! 

They  hunt  slowly  but  beautifully  over  some 
strong  cold  plough  land,  up  to,  and  through, 
the  Plantation  bordering  the  Northallerton 


182    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


and  Smeaton  road,  and  after  dodging  up  one 
hedgerow  and  down  another  for  thirty-five 
minutes,  at  last  come  up  to  their  fox  in  some 
disused  farm  buildings  at  Cock  Howie.  The 
finish  was  not  sudden,  as  although  it  was 
certain  that  the  fox  was  somewhere  in  the 
buildings,  he  could  not  be  located,  and  it 
was  through  an  old  bitch,  'Adelaide,*  who 
would  not  leave  a  particular  corner,  that  his 
hiding  place  w^as  discovered.  The  hunt  after 
this  fox  was  two  hours  and  three-quarters, 
from  the  time  hounds  first  spoke,  in  Felgill 
Moor. 

29th  December.  During  Mr.  Moubray's 
Mastership,  the  hunt  w^hich  I  am  about  to 
describe  is  by  general  consent  allowed  to  be 
the  best  that  has  taken  place,  and  in  many 
hunting  diaries  is,  I  hope,  marked  with  a  good 
big  red  cross.  Although  one  is  always  apt 
to  think  one's  own  geese  swans,  there  hap- 
pened on  this  date  to  be  a  good  many  people 
from  other  packs  of  hounds,  hunting  with 
the  Bedale  ;  and  a  large  number  of  them 
have  personally  described  the  run  to  me  as  '  *  a 
very  fine  hunt,'*— hounds  and  huntsman 
both  coming  in  for  much  praise.  The  start 
of  the  day  was  not  propitious,  as  Uckerby 
and  Bolton  Whins  failed  to  provide  the  need- 
ful article.  On  the  way  to  draw  the  Kiphn 
coverts,  hounds  were  run  through  Greenberry 
Wood.  They  at  once  spoke  to  a  line,  but 
only  faintly  (the  fox  evidently  having  gone 
some  time) ,  and  hunted  slowly  up  to  a  whinney 
field,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  opposite 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908     183 


Felgill  Moor.  Here  probably  the  fox  had 
waited,  scent  improved,  they  ran  to  within  a 
field  of  Felgill  Moor,  then  turned  due  north 
and  passing  under  and  over  Atlay  Hill,  came 
within  three  fields  of  Cowton  Whin ;  from 
here,  making  a  left-hand  turn  across  the  Forest 
Farm,  into  Hobder  Wood ;  through  this,  past 
the  Saw  Mill ;  on  the  west  side  of  which  they 
faltered  a  moment.  Freeman  was  about  to 
cast  his  hounds,  when  he  noticed  an  old 
bitch  "just  feather  "  in  the  furrow  of  a  cold 
plough.  He  let  them  alone,  and  they  were 
soon  going  again  over  the  grass,  heading  for 
Ellerton  village,  leaving  the  Hall  at  Kiplin 
on  the  left.  The  fox  went  down  to  the  Swale, 
but  not  liking  the  look  of  the  river,  turned 
left-handed  and  ran  the  bank  as  far  as  Lang- 
ton  village,  went  round  the  Rectory  there, 
then  down  again  to  the  Swale  bank,  and  on 
into  the  grounds  of  Langton  Hall.  Here 
he  was  viewed  (a  well  run  fox)  by  Mr.  R. 
Booth.  He  knew  his  country,  as  now  he 
crossed  the  Swale  and  tried  the  ''earths  ''  at 
the  end  of  the  Terrace,  at  Kirkby  Fleetham  ; 
but  finding  them  closed  had  to  keep  moving 
on,  and  set  his  head  for  the  Scruton  coverts  ; 
passing  the  end  of  the  Big  Wood  there,  hounds 
raced  over  the  Swale  pastures  up  to  the 
Bedale  and  Northallerton  road,  on  the  west 
side  of  Morton  Bridge.  The  fox  crossed  the 
river  again  by  the  bridge,  and  headed  as  if  for 
Warlaby,  but  turning  away  from  this  place, 
bore  right-handed  past  Morton  Grange  and 
Langlands   over  the  Ainderby  Stell;   where 


184    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


some  of  the  "  field  * '  got  over,  some  got  in,  and 
a  few  who  knew,  crossed  by  the  ford.  He  was 
now  sinking,  and  hounds  were  running  keen 
for  blood.  He  reached  the  Low  Plantation  at 
Solberg,  from  which  a  fresh  fox  went  away; 
but  the  bitches  stuck  to  their  hunted  one,  and 
in  a  few  fields  more,  ran  into  their  fox  after  a 
most  brilliant  gallop  of  two  hours.  The 
point  from  north-west  to  south-east  being  nine 
miles,  and  the  distance  as  hounds  ran,  not  far 
short  of  twenty-two  miles. 

Sport  just  at  this  period  was  very  good, 
and  a  run  which  took  place  on  the  8th 
January  (hounds  meeting  at  Rudd  Hall)  is 
worth  recording.  A  brace  of  foxes  were  found 
in  Goskins,  and  hounds  luckily  got  away 
with  the  right  one — a  stout  fellow.  He  ran 
on  the  north  side  of  Rudd  Hall,  and  south 
side  of  East  Appleton  to  Tunstall  village, 
pointing  for  Brough,  but  turned  westward 
and  went  past  Scotton  village  up  to  Thorn- 
hills  Whin ;  through  that,  and  Gandale 
Wood;  from  which  place  he  sank  the  hill, 
leaving  Hauxwell  Hall  on  his  left,  across  to 
the  coverts  at  Constable  Burton.  After  going 
through  the  Wham  and  Givendale  Wood,  he 
bore  westwards  to  the  Harmby  coverts,  and 
from  them  right-handed  into  Forty  Acres,  up 
the  hill  past  Barden  village,  over  the  Cat- 
terick  and  Half-penny  House  road,  on  to  Bar- 
den Moor  ;  went  over  Laver  Gill  and  down 
the  north  side  of  this  to  the  Richmond  road, 
through  the  West  Wood  at  Hipswell,  down  to 
the  banks  of  the  Swale  ;    where  hounds  ran 


i 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    185 


into  him  opposite  to  Easby  Abbey,  after  a 
fine  sporting  run  of  two  hours  and  three- 
quarters. 

Measuring  from  point  to  point  of  this  run, 
the  distance  is  seventeen  and  a  half  miles, 
and  probably  as  hounds  ran,  they  would  cover 
well  over  twenty- three. 

Goskins  to  Tunstall 

Tunstall  towards  Brough 

Brough  to  Scotton  village 

Scotton  to  Givendale  Wood 

Givendale  to  Harmby       .  .     1     ,, 

Harmby  to  Laver  Gill       .         .     3J  ,, 

Laver  Gill  to  Easby  .         .     3J  ,, 


3  miles 


13 
^4 


4i. 


17i 

The  West  Country  foxes  are  reputed  to 
take  some  catching,  but  on  the  5th  March 
the  bitch  pack  was  too  quick  for  one  of  them, 
from  Witton  Fell. 

We  found  towards  the  easterly  end  of  the 
Fell,  and  ran  across  to  Ramshaw  Plantation, 
where  hounds  got  on  excellent  terms  with 
their  fox.  Passing  through  this,  he  took  a 
loop  out  on  to  the  moor  edge,  then  turned 
left-handed  through  Ellingstring  Plantation 
towards  High  Healey  Cote,  then  again  left- 
handed,  went  through  Lord  Masham*s  Whin 
covert,  past  High  Ellington,  on  the  east  side 
of  EUington  Firth,  leaving  Eelmire  Wood  just 
on  the  right,  past  High  Jervaulx  ;  then  up 
the  hill  into  Grey  Yard  Plantation  ;  at  which 
point  of  the  nm,  a  good  many  horses  were 


186    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


about  beat,  as  hounds  had  run  very  fast 
without  the  sHghtest  check,  over  a  somewhat 
hilly  piece  of  country.  He  went  through  the 
Plantation,  past  the  south  side  of  Ramshaw 
as  if  for  Witton  Fell,  but  he  could  not  reach  it, 
and  hounds  pulled  him  down  at  the  head  of 
Deep  Gill,  after  an  excellent  run  of  fifty-seven 
minutes.  The  head  of  this  good  fox  now 
adorns  the  billiard  room  wall  of  Mr.  H. 
Christie,  at  Jervaulx  Abbey. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  Mr.  Moubray 
lost  the  services  of  his  huntsman,  Freeman, 
who  went  to  the  Pytchley ;  and  he  engaged  as 
his  successor  his  brother-in-law,  Sam  Gillson, 
who  had  been  with  the  South  and  West  Wilts 
Hounds  for  eight  seasons,  the  last  six  of  which 
as  huntsman. 

Peter  Farrelly,  first  whipper-in  with  the 
Quorn,  came  in  a  similar  capacity,  in  place  of 
C.  Pocketts. 

In  1906,  Mr.  S.  Conyers  Scrope,  of  Danby- 
on-Yore,  who  for  many  years  had  been  most 
anxious  to  hunt  the  Moorland  side  of  the 
country  with  a  pack  of  his  own,  obtained  his 
wish ;  and  that  portion  of  the  Bedale  country, 
west  of  the  following  line,  was  lent  to  him. 

From  Hudswell  village  due  south,  to  the 
cross  roads  leading  to  Half-penny  House  and 
Catterick  ;  from  there,  west,  to  Half-penny 
House,  along  the  Bellerby  and  Leyburn  road, 
to  the  railway  station  at  the  latter  place ;  then 
the  road  to  East  Witton,  under  Spennithorne 
and  Middleham.  From  East  Witton  round 
the  west  end  of  Witton  Fell,  across  the  Moor 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    187 


in  an  easterly  direction,  by  High  Healey  Cote, 
to  Healey  village.  From  here,  the  road  up  to 
Pott  Hall,  past  the  south  side  of  Druid's  Wood, 
through  Ilton,  Grewelthorpe  and  Kirkby 
Malzeard,  to  the  west  end  of  the  Grantley 
Hall  Woods. 

Mr.  Scrope  had  many  difficulties  to  contend 
with,  the  chief  being  that  his  hounds  took  to 
sheep  worrying,  and  he  was  obliged  at  the 
end  of  one  season  to  abandon  his  project,  to 
the  great  regret  of  all. 

1906—07.  On  the  9th  November,  a  bob- 
tailed  fox  from  Uckerby  Whin  got  to  ground 
in  a  hollow  tree,  an  account  of  which  has 
alread}^  been  noted  in  February,  1835,  when  a 
like  occurrence  took  place  in  the  same  locality. 

The  3rd  December  was  a  hard  day  for 
horses  and  hounds,  and  although  they  never 
ran  fast,  it  was  a  good  day's  sport. 

Met  at  Newton  House,  and  after  running 
round  that  place  for  nearly  two  hours,  at  last 
a  fox  plucked  up  courage,  and  crossed  the 
Swale  below  Gatenby  village.  The  river 
was  very  big,  and  although  Mr.  Holliday, 
who  was  hunting  with  the  Bedale  this  year, 
twice  swam  his  horse  over  the  river,  he  was 
unable  to  effect  a  landing  on  the  far  side. 
The  fox  after  crossing  the  river  luckily  turned 
up  stream,  so  Morton  Bridge  was  the  nearest 
way  of  getting  to  hounds,  but  it  meant  a  long 
way  round.  Fortunately  hounds  came  to 
a  check  by  Morton  Grange  Farm,  and  we 
were  able  to  pick  them  up  there.  They  soon 
were  going  again,  and  ran  by  the  south  side 


188    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


of  Ainderby  Steeple  \dllage  to  Warlaby  Willow 
Garth,  and  on  to  near  Northallerton  Station. 
From  here  the  fox  bore  right-handed,  crossed 
the  railway  and  went  direct  to  Crosby  Cote  ; 
on  from  there  into  Oliver's  Whin  and  thence 
to  Stank  Whin,  where  hounds  were  running 
for  some  time  ;  eventually  a  fox  broke  away 
on  the  north-east  side,  but  after  going  a  short 
distance  northwards,  hounds  had  to  be 
stopped,  as  it  was  dark. 

On  the  7th  January  there  was  a  fine  gallop, 
hounds  just  missing  blood. 

Met  at  Constable  Burton.  Hounds  ''  feath- 
ered'' on  a  line  the  moment  they  were  put 
into  Canaan  Plantation,  were  quickly  able  to 
speak  to  it,  and  soon  were  driving  away. 

The  fox  had  crossed  the  Leyburn  road  and 
ran  over  the  railway,  leaving  Croft  Wood  on 
the  left,  up  to  Hutton  Hang  ;  from  here  by 
Hull  Plantation,  down  to  within  two  fields  of 
Marriforth  Whin,  then  across  to  Thornton 
Steward,  and  leaving  the  village  to  the  west, 
crossed  the  Yore  by  Kilgram  Bridge,  nearly 
up  to  Eelmire  Wood.  He  then  bore  right- 
handed  to  High  Jervaulx,  under  Ellingstring 
village,  as  though  Ramshaw  was  his  point ; 
but  turned  away  from  this  covert,  and  went 
straight  over  the  moor  to  Agra  Plantation ; 
at  the  top  side  of  which,  Gillson  saw  his  fox, 
dead  beat,  close  to  him.  He  was  then  unfor- 
tunately down  wind  of  his  hounds,  and 
could  not  make  them  hear  his  horn.  They 
had  got  over  the  very  high  and  strong  wall 
which  bounds  the  covert,  into  the  wood,  on 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    189 


the  low  side  ;  and  had  struck  the  line  of  a 
fresh  fox,  which  they  ran  out  on  the  south 
side,  over  the  Healey  and  Colsterdale  road,  and 
brought  back  into  the  wood.  As  the  ''earths '  * 
were  open,  the  run  fox  had  probably  sneaked 
to  ground,  as  nothing  more  could  be  made  of 
him.  The  time  up  to  Agra  Plantation  was  an 
hour  and  ten  minutes,  a  six  and  a  half  mile 
point — eleven  miles  as  hounds  ran — and  collar 
work  the  whole  way  from  Kilgram  Bridge. 

On  the  15th  February  and  the  15th  March, 
from  Uckerby  Whin,  hounds  ran  an  almost 
identical  line.  On  the  first  date,  the  fox  got 
to  ground  only  a  hundred  yards  in  front  of 
hounds  on  the  banks  of  the  Tees.  On  the 
second  date,  I  think  he  was  left  in  Stapleton 
Whin. 

The  main  points  of  the  two  runs,  which 
were  both  fast,  were  as  follows. 

Uckerby  to  Cross  Hills  Plantation,  back 
from  there,  leaving  Cowton  Whin  on  the  east, 
by  Moulton  station  to  Halnaby;  across  to 
Clervaux  Castle,  and  in  both  instances  by 
Stapleton  Whin,  up  to  the  banks  of  the  Tees. 

On  the  18th  March  there  was  a  good  gallop 
and  hunt  on  the  west  side  of  the  country. 
Found  in  the  Wham  at  Constable  Burton, 
and  broke  away  towards  Bellerby ;  being 
headed  short  of  this  place,  the  fox  turned 
back,  past  the  kitchen  garden  at  Constable 
Burton  Hall,  by  Garriston,  nearly  up  to 
Beggarmire  Wood ;  then  with  a  left-hand 
turn,  leaving  Hauxwell  village  on  the  west, 
he  breasted  the  hill,  passed  through  the  end 


190    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


of  Gandale  Wood,  over  Black  Rigg,  and  across 
the  moor  to  Laver  Gill,  pointing  for  Hudswell. 
He  now  sank  the  wind,  and  dropped  down 
into  Badger  Gill,  from  there  into  the  West 
Wood,  at  Hipswell,  turning  back  from  which, 
he  came  over  the  east  end  of  Waithwith 
Common,  up  to  Wenlock  Wood,  through  this, 
over  Scotton  Hill  to  Thornhiirs  Whin ;  on  the 
north  side  of  which,  hounds  marked  him  to 
ground,  after  a  good  hunt  of  one  hour  and 
fifty  minutes.  About  eighteen  miles,  as 
hounds  ran. 

At  the  end  of  this  season,  Mr.  Cecil  Lupton 
took  the  place  of  Mr.  R.  Booth,  as  honorary 
secretary  to  the  Hunt ;  the  latter  finding  that 
he  could  not  well  spare  the  necessary  time  to 
carry  on  the  work  to  his  satisfaction. 

The  Master  was  again  called  upon  to  pro\'ide 
a  huntsman  for  one  of  the  Midland  packs  of 
Hounds,  as  S.  Gillson  went  in  that  capacity 
to  the  Cottesmore,  under  Lord  Lonsdale,  who 
had  just  taken  over  the  country. 

Gillson 's  father  had  been  huntsman  to 
these  hounds  for  many  seasons,  when  Mr. 
W.  Baird  was  Master  of  them. 

Mr.  Moubray  filled  his  place  by  'putting  on' 
his  first  whipper-in,  Peter  Farrelly. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  season  1840 
— 41,  I  inserted  ''some  rules  as  concerns 
hunting.*'  In  January  of  this  year  (1907), 
I  came  across  the  following,  which  are  so 
humorous,  and  yet  convey  such  an  infinity 
of  caution  as  to  "what  should  not  be  done," 
that  with  my  apologies  to  the  Western 
Morning  News,  I  reprint  them. 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    191 


RULES     FOR     RIDERS     TO     HOUNDS. 


A  correspondent  of  evidently  a  humorous  turn  of 
mind  writes  to  the  Western  Morning  News  to  say  that 
he  has  come  across  the  following  "  Rudimentary 
Rules  ' '  for  riders  to  hounds,  and  thought  their  perusal 
might  amuse,  and  possibly  instruct,  followers  to 
hounds,  beginners  and  otherwise  : — 

Rudimentary  Rules  Religiously  Respected 
BY  Riders,  and  Reasons  Respecting  Them. 

1. — When  riding  on  the  road  always  press  past  the 
second  whipper-in  and  other  hunt  servants  to  the 
tail  of  the  huntsman's  horse.  It  will  drive  the  hounds 
in  front  of  the  huntsman,  and  so  enable  him  to  see  how 
many  have  followed  him  from  the  Kennel  ■  it  will,  too, 
teach  the  hounds  to  follow  the  whipper-in,  and  not 
the  huntsman,  and  so  prevent  them  bestowing  any 
undue  preference  on  the  latter. 

2. — Should  a  hound  linger  behind  for  a  minute,  on 
no  account  stop  your  horse,  but  ride  at  him  and  flick 
him  with  your  whip.  It  will  teach  him  better  manners 
for  the  future. 

3.  When  you  have  ascertained  by  enquiry,  or  your 
own  superior  intelligence,  which  covert  is  to  be  drawn, 
do  not  follow  the  hounds  thereto  if  you  think  you 
know  a  shorter  way;  go  your  own  route,  and  post 
yourself  where  you  think  they  will  eventually  come. 
You  will  thus  show  your  knowledge  of  the  country, 
and  be  able  to  tell  the  huntsman  if  you  have  seen  a  fox 
come  out  and  return  into  the  covert.  If  you  take 
seven  friends  with  you  your  success  will  be  all  the 
more  certain. 

4. — If  you  are  constrained  to  stay  with  the  rest  of 
the  field  when  hounds  are  drawing,  get  up  wind  and 
talk  as  loud  as  you  can.  It  will  prevent  people  who 
come  out  to  hunt  listening  to  what  is  going  on  in  covert, 
and  so,  maybe,  obtaining  an  unfair  start. 

5. — At  all  times,  but  particularly  if  hounds  are 
running,  take  care  to  let  every  gate  slam  behind  you. 


192    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


It  will  teach  the  next  comer  how  to  open  gates,  and 
also  to  restrain  himself  from  using  bad  language. 

6. — If  you  see  hounds  are  running  towards  a  covert, 
or  going  to  draw  one,  and  the  first  whipper-in  rides  on 
to  the  far  side,  follow  him  with  all  speed,  and  induce 
your  friends  to  accompany  you.  The  whipper-in  will 
be  glad  of  your  assistance  and  someone  to  talk  to  ;  it 
would  be  very  dull  for  him  all  alone.  Moreover,  it 
is  obvious  that  a  fox  can  see  three  or  four  people  better 
than  one  ;  consequently,  that  number  can  see  a  fox 
better  than  one  alone  could. 

7. — If  hounds  check,  and  you  happen  to  be  near,  ride 
up  among  them  without  a  moment's  delay.  Your 
presence  cannot  fail  to  help  and  encourage  them,  par- 
ticularly if  your  horse  is  steaming. 

8. — When  the  huntsman  makes  his  cast,  be  sure  to 
stick  as  close  to  him  as  possible.  You  will  then  be  able 
to  ensure  that  he  does  the  job  properly. 

9. — If  you  arrive  at  a  check,  and  see  other  people 
standing  still  and  silent  (which,  however,  is  very  seldom 
the  case),  push  past  them,  turn  your  horse  in  front  of 
them,  whistle,  and  tell  them  in  your  loudest  tones  how 
well  your  horse  has  jumped.  It  will  be  most  inter- 
esting to  them  ;  moreover,  you  will  teach  them  that 
hunting  is  a  democratic  sport,  that  you  have  as  much 
right  there  as  they  have.  But,  above  all,  it  will  teach 
hounds  to  perform  their  duties  regardless  of  surround- 
ing influences. 

10. — If  possible,  now  is  the  time  to  ride  up  to  the 
huntsman  and  tell  him  what  extraordinary  good  sport 
you  have  been  having  with  the  neighbouring  pack. 
You  will  thus  prevent  him  over-straining  his  intellect 
with  the  matter  in  hand. 

11. — If  hounds  are  running  slowly  in  the  open  or  up 
a  covert,  get  well  in  front  of  them  and  the  huntsman, 
and  the  more  and  louder  you  talk  the  better.  You 
will  thus  prevent  the  huntsman  neglecting  the  beauties 
of  the  surrounding  scenery  and  thinking  only  of  sport. 

12. — Do  not  wait  until  the  huntsman  has  finished 
drawing  a  covert,  but  ride  on  before  he  has  got  the 
hounds  out  to  the  next  he  is  likely  to  draw.     It  will 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    193 


give  him  an  intimation  of  where  you  wish  him  to  go, 
and  show  him  the  way. 

13. — When  you  have  arrived  at  the  covert  you 
intend  him  to  draw,  get  up  wind,  talk,  and  crack  your 
whip,  if  able  to  do  so.  You  will  thus  give  the  fox,  if 
there  happens  to  be  one  in  the  covert,  a  good  start, 
which  is  everything  in  this  life. 

14. — If  hounds  come  to  a  road  when  running,  jump 
into  it  as  soon  as  you  can,  as  near  the  middle  of  the  pack 
as  may  be.  This  will  teach  the  hounds  to  get  out  of 
the  way  of  the  horses. 

15. — Whether  hounds  are  running  or  not,  jump  un- 
necessary fences,  ride  over  wheat,  seeds,  and  other 
crops,  but  more  particularly  beans,  on  every  possible 
occasion. 

16. — Encourage  your  horse  to  run  into,  tread  on  the 
heels  of  and  eat  the  tail  of  the  horse  in  front  of  you.  It 
promotes  circulation  and  good  feeling  ;  it  also  teaches 
the  front  horse  to  use  his  hocks. 

17. — When  you  see  the  people  waiting  their  turn  at 
a  fence,  come  on  at  a  canter  and  cut  in,  or  else  creep  up 
the  side  of  the  fence  and  turn  your  horse  sharp  over  in 
front  of  them.     It  shows  them  how  to  do  the  trick. 

18. — If  you  see  people  want  to  have  a  run  at  a  fence, 
particularly  in  the  case  of  a  brook,  if  you  do  not  intend 
to  jump  it  yourself,  get  between  them  and  the  obstacle, 
broadside  on  if  possible.  (It  is  not  a  bad  plan  to  ride 
up  and  down  the  side  of  a  brook  at  the  only  jumpable 
places.)  You  will  teach  people  how  to  jump  at  a  walk, 
or  how  to  take  a  fall. 

19. — If  the  Huntsman  wishes  to  take  his  hounds 
past  the  field  in  a  road,  do  not  go  the  same  side  as  other 
people,  but  put  your  horse  with  his  head  to  the  fence 
on  the  opposite  side.  You  will  teach  the  Huntsman 
the  truth  of  the  old  Latin  proverb,  '  *  In  medio  tutissi- 
mus  ibis  ' ' — in  the  middle  you  are  safest — to  be  kicked. 

20. — When  you  have  eaten  your  luncheon  do  not 
adopt  the  objectionable  practice  of  rolling  up  your 
sandwich  paper  and  throwing  it  in  the  nearest  ditch. 
Unfold  it,  and  let  it  blow  among  the  horses.  The  paper 
littered  about  will  give  an  air  of  festivity  and  tidiness. 


194    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


conve5dng  sweet  reminiscences  of  a  cockney  tripper's 
picnic.  Moreover,  with  luck  it  may  blow  against  a 
horse's  leg,  and  cause  him  to  kick  his  neighbour — 
always  a  source  of  merriment. 

1907 — 08.  This  season  began  well,  as 
after  a  very  useful  time  cub-hunting,  the 
first  Friday  in  November  (the  8th)  provided 
a  capital  day's  sport. 

The  moment  hounds  were  put  into  Lingy 
Moor,  a  fox  was  holloaed  away  on  the  north 
side,  which  ran  across  to  Uckerby  Whin,  where 
luckily  no  change  was  made  ;  but  breaking 
at  once  on  the  east  side,  he  turned  as  if  for  the 
village  of  Uckerby,  but  short  of  it,  bore  right 
handed  across  to  Church  Whin,  which  he  did 
not  enter  but  crossed  the  road  to  the  Quarry 
near  Middleton-Tyas.  Here  again  hounds 
were  lucky,  as  there  is  an  ''earth*'  there, 
which  was  probably  open ;  but  after  a  turn  up 
and  down  the  plantation,  the  fox  went  away 
towards  the  village  of  Middleton-Tyas,  then 
bearing  to  the  left,  passed  Murky  Hill  and  on 
to  the  Halnaby  coverts.  In  Birch  Carr  Wood 
there  was  a  very  slight  check,  but  hounds 
were  soon  going  again,  and  hunted  prettily 
up  to  Moulton  Whin.  The  fox  probably  had 
waited  here,  as  from  this  point  they  ran 
much  faster ;  crossed  the  Darlington  and 
Richmond  railway  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south- 
west of  Moulton  station,  and  it  looked  as  if 
Cowton  Whin  was  his  point.  But  disdaining 
this  shelter,  he  pushed  on  under  Atlay  Hill 
Farm  as  if  for  Pepper  Arden  Hall,  but  turned 
away  from  here  and  ran  parallel  to  the  North- 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    195 


allerton  road  as  far  as  Low  Whinholme.  Here, 
it  looked  as  though  he  wanted  to  be  into  F'el- 
gill  Moor,  but  he  kept  on  towards  Greenberry 
Wood,  then  turned  to  the  back  of  Streatlam 
village,  had  one  more  look  at  Felgill,  and 
went  into  Streatlam  Whin,  where,  after  a  few 
turns  up  and  down  the  covert,  hounds  pulled 
him  down;  one  bitch,  ' Gamestress, '  tackled 
him  by  herself,  and  though  she  did  not  hold 
him,  tore  off  half  his  brush.  This  was  an 
excellent  gallop  of  two  hours,  and  about 
seventeen  miles  as  hounds  ran. 

A  second  fox  was  found  in  Streatlam  Plant- 
ation, and  hounds  ran  very  fast  by  Danby 
Hill  to  Thrintoft  Whin,  past  Thrintoft  village, 
down  to  the  Swale,  which  was  crossed  opposite 
Scruton,  into  the  Kirkby  Fleetham  coverts, 
where  they  were  run  out  of  scent. 

On  the  29th  January  there  was  a  good 
day's  sport.  Found  in  Pickhill  Whin  and 
ran  very  quickly,  leaving  Kirklington  village 
on  the  left  into  Camp  Hill  Woods.  (In  crossing 
a  small  wooden  bridge  over  Elam  Beck,  near 
Sinderby  station,  owing  to  the  roadway 
collapsing,  Mr.  Bertie  Lawson's  horse  got 
so  tightly  w^edged  between  the  bearers,  that 
it  had  to  be  sawn  out).  There  was  only  a 
moderate  scent  in  covert,  but  pushing  their 
fox  out  on  the  south-west  side,  hounds  ran 
better  again  in  the  open,  and  went  on  the 
west  side  of  Howgrave,  to  Mr.  Nussey's  Whin 
covert ;  through  this,  over  the  railway  to 
Norton  Conyers,  and  down  to  the  river  Yore. 
Being  headed  here,  he  turned  back,  leaving 


196    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Guy's  Whin  on  the  left  and  retraced  his  steps 
to  Camp  Hill,  where  he  was  seen,  hard  run, 
close  to  hounds.  Unfortunately  a  fresh  fox 
got  up  in  front  of  them,  on  to  which  they 
changed,  running  on  the  west  side  of  Car- 
thorpe  up  to  Theakston,  where  he  was  lost. 

Hounds  came  back  to  Camp  Hill  to  try 
and  pick  up  the  beaten  fox,  but  failed  to 
come  across  him. 

On  the  17th  February,  hounds  ran  at 
a  great  pace  from  Bedale  Railway  Wood, 
by  Burrill,  Cowling,  and  the  Thornton  Wat- 
lass  coverts,  to  Sandy  Flats  at  Marriforth. 
Although  the  huntsman  and  a  few  more  got 
fairly  well  away  with  hounds,  they  did  not 
see  much  of  them  until  the  Black  Wood  at 
Thornton  Watlass  was  reached. 

A  few  days  later,  on  the  21st  February, 
there  was  another  very  quick  eighteen  minutes 
to  ground.  Found  in  the  New  Whin  at 
Hutton  Bonville,  and  hounds  ran  as  straight 
as  a  die  to  the  whinney  fields  on  High  Mag- 
dalen Farm,  near  Smeaton.  The  huntsman, 
although  on  by  no  means  a  slow  horse,  was 
never  able  to  get  nearer  than  three  fields  to 
his  hounds. 

Later  on  this  day,  and  again  on  the  6th 
March,  hounds  ran  nearly  the  same  line ;  the 
greater  part  of  the  hunt  being  in  the  Hurworth 
country,  both  foxes  being  found  at  Hutton 
Bonville.  I  will  give  a  description  of  the  run 
on  the  6th  March,  as  on  this  date  they  ran  a 
little  further,  but  both  were  first-rate  gallops. 
On  the  21st  February,  the  time  up  to  Win  ton 


The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908    197 


was  two  hours,  on  the  6th  March  one  hour 
and  three-quarters ;  the  country  this  day 
riding  very  deep,  as  there  had  been  a  heavy 
fall  of  snow  a  day  or  two  previous. 

Found  in  the  Old  Whin,  and  ran  very  fast 
to  near  Birkby  Church,  where  there  was  a 
slight  check,  but  hounds  hit  off  the  line  right- 
handed,  and  ran  well,  across  the  Northallerton 
and  Darlington  road,  leaving  Hornby  Grange 
on  the  left,  to  Appleton  Wiske.  From  here 
they  ran  very  fast  up  wind  by  Welbury  and 
Brompton  Whins,  neither  of  which  the  fox 
entered,  nearly  to  Brompton  village.  He 
then  turned  towards  the  hills,  and  crossing 
the  railway  went  on  to  Winton  Whin,  skirted 
this  and  reached  Foxton  Wood.  He  evidently 
was  out  of  his  own  country,  as  he  failed  to  try 
the  ''earths  '*  there,  and  went  on  to  Sigston, 
on  the  south-east  of  which  hounds  were  run 
out  of  scent. 

For  many  years  the  river  Wiske,  with  a 
very  soft  bottom,  has  often  been  a  terrible 
nuisance  (more  especially  to  the  huntsman) 
when  hounds  run  between  Hutton  Bonville, 
Felgill,  Pepper  Arden,  Reedholmes  and 
Smeaton.  The  only  two  fords,  that  on  the 
east  side  of  Reedholmes,  and  that  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Crow  Wood  at  Hutton 
Bonville,  being  a  long  way  apart.  There  was, 
therefore,  much  rejoicing  towards  the  end  of 
this  season,  when  a  good  substantial  riding 
bridge  was  put  over  the  river  ;  about  half 
way  between  the  two  fords.  All  hoping  in 
the  future  to  be  so  much  nearer  to  hounds 
when  they  cross  this  awkward  obstacle. 


198    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


Apropos  of  the  ford  at  Crow  Wood ;  I 
remember  rather  an  amusing  incident,  indic- 
ative of  the  proverb,  *'  Might  is  right." 
Hounds  ran  very  quickly  from  Pepper  Arden 
Bottoms,  past  Reedholmes,  in  the  direction  of 
Hutton  Bonville.  One  who  knew  ''the  ropes," 
made  a  bee-line  for  this  ford,  and  arrived 
there  amongst  the  first  few.  Instead  of 
thrusting  his  way  over,  ' '  he  hesitated  and 
was  lost.''  Others  crowded  up.  *' Might 
became  right,*'  and  he  was  pushed  back  into 
the  ruck.  The  last  I  heard,  being  a  plaintive 
plea,  ' '  Please  let  me  through,  I  was  the 
first  here." 

As  there  was  somewhat  above  an  average 
number  of  foxes  in  the  country  this  year,  Mr. 
Moubray  hunted  four  days  a  week,  from 
January  until  the  end  of  the  season. 

This  concludes  the  fourth  year  of  Mr. 
Moubray 's  Mastership.  There  were  many 
more  good  days  sport  and  quick  gallops  ; 
but  having  already  rather  exceeded  the  limit 
of  recounting  about  three  days  of  each 
season,  I  must  put  my  pen  aside,  with  a  hope 
that  any  future  scribe  may  have  the  same 
difficulty  as  I  have  had,  viz.  :  to  select  what 
is  best  to  record  from  among  many  good 
things. 


C/) 

Q 

& 

O 

w 
►-^ 
<: 

Q 

w 

w 
w 

H 


Q 

PL* 


en 

H 
"A 

t 

W 
H 

K 

Q 
<! 

CO 

P^ 
W 
H 

o 

H 
c/) 


a  9 

i  s 

CO  0^5 

I  X 


rt  O 


PQ-o 

&§ 

O 

<x> 
O 


T3 

IH 

O 

in 

C/5 


000 


(O         "^      ■ 

I-l     ti     Cd        •     Ld 


(y 


c3       _ 


«n 


ll 

0 

c 

^ 

H 

•— > 

a> 

<u 

43 
CO 
C 

Oc/) 


2  w 


Wi  o  ■•-' 


o  o 


a 

o 
o 


a  o 

43 


•    .    •    •      PQ 

0000 

QQQQ      S 

O 


o  o 


00  00 

00 

CD 

1^00 

0000 

0  0 

0  0 

0000 

5 

0 

0  0 

00  00 

CO  ^ 

«2 

CM  W*U5 

2222 

2 

i 

22 

^S'S 

1 

ss 

^Q 

p. 

-2 

C  0)  (u 

^'h 

o 

g6g= 
•SB  2 

=  ■3         s 

Q 

3  O 

PQO 

J>»4J 

0)    CO    OT 

4 

1-   05 

f2K 

c^ 

d       6 

dfe* 

-:,^< 

fe^' 

^a         (2 

:  I     : 

• 

; 

;     ; 

•    ;    ; 

ii           : 

•s 

g 

S 

1 

si    -s 

1 

S 

u 

u  u 

0)    (U,C 

^H  III 
(v  —  —  C 

045      flH^iiW 

o^S  o 

d 

•    •        ; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

(0       • 

'    *ffi    * 

^2S| 

^ 

W 

pR             CO  y  Ph 

< 

.'^ 

73 

-a 

T) 

en 
H 

1 

'o 

X 

1 
1 

2^ 

2^     5° 

HH      P^ 

fe 

PC4 

fe 

P=«     ffi^ 

:  :      : 

• 

•o 

• 

•       * 

■        •     • 

; 

•s 

; 

, 

H 

. 

P^ 

^ 

J 

m 

1 

■4^ 

p 

4-> 

1 

1 

< 

U 

fk 

g 

S 

";&  B 

0) 
W) 

O 

3 

p 

O 

.S 

Q 

A 

g^ 

0) 

cd 

Ui 

c? 

^ 

1^ 

'^ 

1^ 

CJ 

1^ 

H 

^ 

05(N        rf 

00 

CD 

00 

(M        '»*' 

CO              l>        00 

r^  00      CO 

00 

Oi 

Oi 

O        O 

o          o      o 

GO  00         00 

00 

00 

00 

Oi        Oi 

oi         a>      05 

«>5 

1— 1    1— «              ^H 

1— < 

»-« 

»-H             »-< 

f^          1-^      1—t 

o  o      o 

o 

o 

o 

o      o 

o          op 

M 

-»->•*->           4J 

-M 

-*-» 

4J           -M 

4J                  4J           •<-» 

>^ 

00<J>       c^ 

^ 

00 

CO 

00        <N 

If            CO       t^ 

t>.  t^        00 

00 

00 

a> 

05         O 

s     s  s 

00  00        GO 

CO 

00 

00 

00        05 

1 

" 

^        - 

"   " 

APPENDIX     B. 

As  Mr.  Milbank  and  Mr.  Duncombe  both  owned  the 
hounds  with  which  they  hunted  the  country  (1832- 
1867),  and  each  disposed  of  them  on  ceasing  to  be 
Master  ;  there  is  no  record  of  any  '  *  Bedale  ' '  hounds 
until  Mr.  Booth  took  over  the  country.  [Note.  I  have 
not  been  able  to  obtain  any  private  hound  lists  between 

1832,  1867.]  ,     ^     , 

The  first  entry  of  the  ''  Bedale  "  in  the  Foxhound 
Kennel  Stud  Book,  is  for  the  year  1862.  Two  nine 
season  hunters,  "  Active,"  from  the  Duke  of  Rutland, 
and  "  Lively  "  (Lifter,  out  of  Lavender). 

In  the  same  book,  the  first  record  of  any  home-bred 
hounds  is  for  the  year  1870,  when  a  couple  or  two  were 
put  on,  their  sires  being  from  Mr.  Cradock's  and  the 
Hurworth  Kennels.  There  is  then  a  break  until  1874, 
when  two  couples  by  Remus  (1872),  Lord  Yarborough's 
Bachelor,  out  of  Lord  Middleton's  Rita  (1866)  were 
entered.  He  left  three  couples  in  the  following  year, 
and  one  couple  in  1878. 

From  this  date  until  1890,  the  pack  seems  to  have 
been  entirely  recruited  by  draft  hounds,  as  on  neither 
the  dam's  nor  the  sire's  side,  is  anything  worthy  of 
mention  to  be  found. 

Since  1890,  the  Bedale  bitches  have  done  better, 
and  although  the  stallion  hounds  have  not  always 
been  provided  in  the  Kennel ;  it  is  more  satisfactory 
to  see  that  in  eighteen  years,  an  average  of  eight 
couples  a  year,  home  bred,  have  found  their  way  into 
the  Hound  List. 

In  considering  the  different  Kennels  from  which  this 
outside  blood  has  come,  since  the  year  1870,  they  rank 
in  the  following  order. 

First,  The  Belvoir  ;  second,  The  Brocklesby  ;  third, 
The  Bramham  Moor  ;  fourth,  The  Holderness  ;  fifth, 
all  about  even;  Lord  Middleton's,  The  Milton,  The 
Cleveland,  The  York  and  Ainsty  and  The  Grove. 


202    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


At  the  present  date,  mainly  due  to  the  purchase  by 
the  Duke  of  Leeds  of  the  Belvoir  draft,  for  two  suc- 
cessive   years — this    pack    stands    pre-eminent,   the 
Kennel  being  full  of  their  blood,  viz  : — 
Dogs. — Dexter  ('95),  Villager  ('97),  Vagabond  ('97), 

Stormer  ('99),  and  a  draft  dog,  Velox  ('02),  a  son  of 

Villager. 
Bitches — Hopeful  ('94),  Verdant  ('95).  Sentiment 
(*97),  Testy  ('98),  Harebell  ('99),  Rosamond  ('99), 
To  the  above  must  be  added  some  excellent  working, 
and  good  looking  hounds  ;  tracing  back  to  the  Tyne- 
dale,  Alfred  (1897),  his  son,  Alderman  (1900),  Holderness, 
Steadfast  (1896),  the  South  Durham,  Streamer  (1896), 
and  the  Oakley,  Decimal  (1897).  The  pedigree  of  Tyne- 
dale  **  Alfred"  and  Oakley  "Decimal,"  coincide  in 
rather  a  peculiar  manner ;  and  as  the  stock  comes  right 
in  all  ways,  is  worth  mention. 

Tynedale,  "Alfred"  was  by  Oakley, "Dancer"  (1888) 
on  his  sire's  side  ;  by  Belvoir,  "Denmark"  on  his  dam's. 
Oakley,  "Decimal"  by  Belvoir,  "Gambler"  (1884)  on 
the  sire's  side  ;   by  Oakley,  "Dancer"  on  the  dam's. 

After  consultation  with  the  Huntsman,  I  have 
selected  the  two  couples  of  dogs  and  bitches  which  are 
considered  to  have  been  best  in  their  work — all  round — 
at  the  close  of  the  season  1907-08,  and  find  they  are 
bred  as  follows, 

DOGS. 


Sinbad, 
1904. 


Hornet, 
1904. 


Selim  1900  Sonthdown,  Trifle  1900 

by  by 

Oakley,  Sportsman  1891.  Warwickshire,  Talbot  1895 

Runaway  1895.  Southdown,  Comet  1894, 


Belvoir,  Hymen  1902 
by 
Vagabond  1899. 
Heartless  1899. 


Bella  1902 
by 
Belvoir,  Villager  1897. 
Belvoir.  Blissful  1897. 


Handel, 
1905. 


Belvoir,  Hymen  1902 


Definite  1903 
by 
Lord  Zetland's,  Wellington  1899 

Darling  1899 
by  Holderness,  Steadfast  1896. 
Oakley,  Dewdrop  1891. 


The  Bed  ale  Hounds,  1832-1908    203 


Villager, 
1907. 


Harebell, 
1904. 

Artful, 
1906. 


Velox  1902. 
by 
Belvoir,  Villager  1897. 
Belvoir,  Handmaid  1899. 

BITCHES. 

Belvoir,  Hymen  1902 


Harebell  1904 
by 
Belvoir,  Hymen  1902 
Bella  1902. 


Bella  1902 
(see  Dog  pedigree). 


Lord  Middleton's,  Dexter  1902     Anxious  1900 
by  by 

Belvoir,  Dexter  1895  Tynedale,  Alfred  1897. 

Lord  M's,  Woodbine  1899  Resolute  1897. 

Cotswold,  Graphic  1892. 
Captain  Johnstone's,  Remnant  1894. 


Clara, 
1907. 


Belvoir,  Carnival  1902 

by 
Belvoir,  Stormer  1897 
Belvoir,  Candour  1896. 


Roguish  1903 

by 
Alderman  1900. 
Restless  1897. 
by  Holderness,  Gaffer  1889. 
Ringlet  1891. 


Sanguine,         Marksman  1902  Saucy  1902 

1907.  by  by 

Bramham  Moor,  Marmion  1894      Belvoir,  Dexter  1895 

Scornful  1900  Sentiment  1897. 

by  South  Durham,  Streamer  1896. 
Rosey   1896. 

The  breeding  of  hounds  is  like  that  of  bloodstock, 
somewhat  of  a  lottery.  Those  that  should  turn  out 
all  that  is  desired,  do  not ;  and  others  you  don't  expect 
very  much  from,  astonish  you. 

Perfect  feet,  with  a  lot  of  bone  below  the  knee, 
carried  right  down  into  the  foot  is  a  sine-qna-non  at  the 
present  day;  at  any  rate  on  the  flags.  Perhaps 
for  work,  the  foot  can  be  too  cat-like,  and  the 
shortness  below  the  knee,  excessive.  A  little  more 
spread  in  the  foot,  and  a  trifle  more  length  below  the 
knee,  might  afford  more  elasticity  when  galloping  and 
jumping. 

Well  sprung  ribs,  carried  right  back,  are  I  think 
most  necessary  for  constitution,  and  standing  hard 
work.     Then  heads,  necks,  and  shoulders. 

I  like  a  hound  with  a  real  typical  fox-hound  head, 


204    The  Bedale  Hounds,  1832-1908 


[e.g.  The  Belvoir,  Ragman,  '06,  or  Helper,  *o3).  They 
are  generally  rare  workers,  whatever  else  their  shape 
may  be.  Necks  and  shoulders  should  be  of  the  best ; 
the  neck  not  too  lean.  Like  horses  they  get  on  in  all 
shapes,  and  it  is  difficult  to  judge  hounds'  shoulders, 
until  you  have  seen  them  gallop. 

I  (think  the  main  points  to  strive  for  in  breeding  are 
nose,  drive,  voice,  and  what  is  specially  hereditary — 
**  perseverance." 

Having  bred  your  hounds  as  you  want  them,  in  the 
above  details,  they  are  of  no  use  for  fox-catching 
unless  they  are  in  the  very  best  of  condition.  A 
huntsman,  a  very  old  friend  of  mine,  once  said  to  me, 
**  There  are  more  foxes  killed  in  Kennel  than  you 
have  any  idea  of,"  As  he  was  fond  of  accounting  for 
his  foxes,  and  rumour  said  "  they  often  came  back  to 
kennel  in  a  sack  "  ;  I  looked  at  him  with  a  somewhat 
puzzled  expression,  thinking  he  was  giving  himself 
away.  "  Oh,  no,"  he  said  **  It's  not  what  you  think, 
I  mean  '  condition. '  ' ' 

This  seems  common  sense.  None  of  us  if  short  of 
condition,  and  fagged,  can  do  our  best  at  any  game. 
So  with  hounds  ;  unless  they  are  thoroughly  fit  and 
up  to  the  mark  in  every  way,  we  can  hardly  expect 
them  to  persevere  on  a  cold  scent.  Last,  but  by  no 
means  least,  comes  the  man  who  hunts  the  hounds. 
A  bad  huntsman  will  spoil  the  best  pack  of  working 
hounds  that  ever  was  bred,  in  half  a  season.  A  good 
man — one  who  understands  dog  nature,  who  has  the 
confidence  of  his  hounds,  does  not  flurry  them  at  the 
wrong  moment,  but  helps  them  at  the  right — will 
make  a  bad  working  pack  into  a  good  one,  in  a  season. 
I  have  seen  this  take  place  more  than  once,  and  feel 
sure  that  the  individuality  of  the  huntsman  has  a  lot 
to  do  with  the  working  of  a  pack  of  hounds,  however 
they  may  be  bred.