I

A FEW OF MY

MOST FAVOURITE

FOX CHASES

IN EAST SUSSEX.

By JOHN KENT,

SorTHEASE.

PRINTED FOK PRIVATE CIRCULATION.

A FEW OF MY

MOST FAVOURITE

FOX CHASES

IN EAST SUSSEX.

By JOHN KENT,

OF SOUTHEASE.

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION.

LEWES : FARNCOMBE AXD CO., PRINTEKS.

INTRODUCTION.

Mk. Crayex became master of the East Sussex Fox
Hounds in the year 1827 and managed them till 1837,
(ten years). Coloxel Cator had managed them six years
j)reviously, having taken them from Mr. King Sampson,
and having established the East Sussex Hunt and Country.
Captain Green took them from Mr. Craven and managed
them six years, when they were laid down. Mr. King
Sampson then came forward and hunted the country with
his pack for one season, and then gave up in the year 1844,
in consequence of ill health.

From my early youth I always had an ardent taste to
hunt and kill the Fox, the only wild animal of the kind
that is a great depredator in our land. Often at the
meeting of the hounds, great complaints have been made
of the Fox making sad havoc amongst the poultry in some
neighbouring farm yard ; and these are my pleasures in
drawing for him ; see the hounds drag him through the
bushes, and in the thick briars unkennel him ; have at him
my good hounds, he is a rogue, he has robbed my neigh-
bour, pursue him with aU vengeance, and kill him. These
are my feelings in hunting the Fox ; I love to see him
fight and die.

FOX CHASES

Feu. 10, 1824. ^On Thursday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds met at
Plumpton Plain ; they threw oft at Mr. Lame's furze, where they soon
found a fox, he broke covert into Stanmer Park, going down Mr.
Moon's side, and comi^letely ringing the park, coming out within a
few rods where he went in ; he then crossed Mr. Moon's hill, a
complete burst by Broad Shackles to Boxholt Bottom ; here we came
to a check for a few minutes. Perkins held them round and hit him
off, we then went down the four-mile course into Ashcombe planta-
tion, crossing the road, and climbing Kingstone hill by the sheep
ponds, crossing Kingstone and Swanborough hill, round Iford hill,
in front of Balsdean by Hervey's Stone and Pickers Hill Barn, (here
Major Cater exclaimed, " gentlemen, take care of your horses").
We then went orer Highdoole and Telscombe Tye, crossing the
Warren and Great Hoddern Farms, to the cliff near the pay-gate,
where w^e came to a check ; and a check it was, for but a very few
horses could go on again. It was quite a scene to see the gentlemen
dismounted, some slacking their girths, others holding their heads
round to the wind, some poking the handle of their whips in their
mouths to give them all the air they could, and others walking and
leading their horses on homewards ; but now Perkins held back for
the short head and hit off the scent ; we went on over Piddinghoe
and Newhaven hills into Bullens Bush, here reynard was staying,
but broke covert immediately, and away we went down the deep
fallow into AVaterman's Bottom, (here the Doctor's old grey mare
pitched on her head, a most awful fall) , and across the Great Hoddern
Farm by Heathy Brow, to Telscombe Tye, over Highdool, and down
Northease Hill, up by the Fore Hill Bushes to the front hill ; but
now there were only about seven horses, and they were going one
by one, no two together, and the hounds were more than a mile
ahead. I got to the top of Iford hill and stood and looked on,
Perkins was nearest the hounds, on what I called " old Staring
Tom," but his name was Mr. Merriman ; he was obliged to get off
and lead him, and could not make him go so fast as he could run,
which made him say queer words. They went down across the
fallows between Swanborough and Kingstone, by the brick-yard, and
over by the six -sweep mill ; here Perkins hailed a gentleman in the
turnpike to stop the hounds, which he did, Perkins blowing his horn,
got them away, and took them home. This was a most tremendous
day, every horse in the field was dead beaten, the chase must have
been more than thirty miles ; no one fox could have stood this
drilling. I am quite satisfied we changed our fox in Boxholt

6

Bottom, a fre.sh fox must have stolen away out of the scrub-bushes,
and Perkins drew on the Ime, as another fox was seen to go over the
hill for Wallingore. At the pull up on the cliff, i\Iajor Cater was
one to walk and lead his horse homewards over Southease Bridge to
Beddingham, where he put him up at INIr. Todd's, because he could
not get him anj further, and there he died ; the Major was the one
to tell us to take care of our horses but did not think of his own.
The Doctor's old grey mare pitched on the fallow a most tremendous
fall. The Doctor got up and shrugged his shoulders, and found him-
self not much hurt ; he then paid all attention to the mare, she
struggled and groaned, and at last appeared to be quite dead : the
Doctor exclaimed, " what a fool I have been to ride my mare to death,
I would not have taken 150 guineas for her." The old mare groaned
again, but she soon appeared lifeless ; the Doctor lifted up her head,
but it fell dead ; he opened her eyelash, and looked at her eye, and
it appeared dead. The Doctor now got in a rage, and said "only to
think that I should be such a d — fool to ride my mare to death,
when I would not have taken 150 guineas for her?" he stamped,
and swung his whip, and said all sorts of queer words. One gentle-
man who was stopping to assist, thought he saw life in the old mare ;
he applied his whip thong to her, when the old mare groaned,
struggled, and got up on her legs. The Doctor said, " now I must
go to Brighton ; " he mounted, and rode off with the old white mare
and himself both well rolled in the yellow clay.

Mahch 1, 1827.— On Thursday last, the East Sussex Fox Hounds
met at Laughton Pound, and very shortly unkennelled a fox in the
neighboiu'hood. Reynard went off in gallant style at a splitting rate,,
taking through Laughton Levels. The rapidity of his motion, and
the difficult route he had chosen, left many of the sportsmen at a
very humble distance from his brush ; many indeed, who were not
pinictiial to the hour of appointment, lost the opportunity of adjoin-
ing the chase at all. Leaving the Levels of Laughton, he made
towards Chiddingly, thence to Warbleton, after which he dii-ected
his course to Waldron, and onward through Heathfield to Brightling,
where he was headed ; he then shaped his course towards Burwash,
close to which town the dogs ran into him, and he was killed in
gallant style, after the most severe run that had been experienced
during the season. The wipper-in received an wglj fall, his horse
ha\ing plunged with him into the middle of one of the deep dykes ;
with some difficulty, however, he extricated both himself and his
horse, and again joined the chase, and was, notwithstanding the
accident, in at the death, an honour which only himself, one sports-
man (George Berry) , and the huntsman could boast of.

On Saturday the same hounds met at Plumpton, and after drawing
Wallingore wood unsuccessfully, they crossed the river at Barcombe
Mill, and proceeded to the Plashett Park, near to which, in a piece of
gorse, they found. The fox went oft" in capital style, and produced
a most excellent run ; he however ultimately evaded his pursuers
near Short Gate. Many of the sportsmen, owing to the heavy state
of the country, experienced some severe falls ; but the only accident

of a serious nature, that we have heard of, befel Mr. Foley, who had
the misfortune to dislocate one of his shoulders.

Febrvary 22, 1830. — On Monday the East Sussex Fox Hounds
met at the Swan, Chailey, they drew the coverts, the south side of
the turnpike to the North Common, blank ; then crossed the turn-
pike by the King's Head, and drew all the Newick great coverts a
blank. At half -past two o'clock the hounds were thrown into Bald-
neth wood, opposite the Swan, when at twenty minutes to three, upon
the grassy bank, the voice of " Old Griper " pronounced he had
unkennelled the vermin ; ' ' hoi I Griper, have at him ' ' said Heiniesey ,
and have at him they did in good truth, the scent was a merry
one, the fox was bold, and broke covert immediately across the
enclosures for Newick Old Park ; the hounds were all together and
well at him, and away they went ; through these great coverts they
rattled him, crossing the road by Longford through these little woods,
and then into Barcombe brooks we dashed, crossing the river a little
above the Anchor bridge, which was handy for us to go over ; the brooks
on the oi^posite side were nearly all under water. Some rode into
the ditches, and some out, happy was he that was lucky, and now on
for the l*lashett ; up through this great covert they pushed him, and
were gone away a field a head when we got to the top of the wood,
and on for Cromp's furze field, which they threaded, and this let a
batch of the leading horses have a fail* start with them ; now through
the enclosures, leaving Horsted to the left, on, and by Mount
Ephraim. Here was fox hunting in all its splendour, the hounds
running at a rapid pace, topping the hedges three or four couple
abreast, and we were obliged to top them too or stop behind — there
was no looking for places, but every one obliged to cut out his own
line . Captain Croft got an ugly fall and obliged to relinquish the
chase. He now bent his line by Framfield Street, as if for P>uxted,
when on a little common among some sheep we came to a check of
three minutes, a lucky one for Mr. Craven, for his horse was in the
ditch and just time to get him out again, when Hennesey di'ew the
hounds on the line and away we went again ; he now verged his Ime
to the right, and crossed the turnpike near Blackboys, in a line for
Barnet wood, but ere he reached that, going up some httle meadows
the hounds threw up and were casting, when the fox slipped out of
the hedge -row behind them, down the meadow, and was met by a
puppy named ' ' Justice ; ' ' here was a regular battle between the fox
and " Justice," sometimes one had the best of it and sometimes the
other, but now the whole pack had cast back into the field and saw
what was going on, came and put an end to this fine chase at half-
past four o'clock, through a heavy country, in one hour and fifty
minutes, only thirteen horses came in at the death. Mr. Lane
exclaimed " this is the finest chase I ever saw in Sussex ; " for my
own part it was the favourite chase of my life, the hounds were
never off the scent only the three minutes on the comnion, and the
horses were in a gallop the whole chase ; it was a trial of strength,
nothing but a strong and well -seasoned horse, and a good fencer
could go through it, (ah, and though I say it, with a pretty good

8

rider on his back.) Mount Ephraim was a poser which tailed them
off and made the field select. It was a brilliant chase. Press said the
line we run was twenty miles ; if so, I rode more than fifty miles
this day.

March 6, 1830. — On Saturday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds met
at the back of the wall, at the north end of Lord Chichester's park ;
it was a fine gay morning, and a field of a hundred and twenty
horses. At eleven o'clock the hounds were thrown off in Standean
furze, at the side hill,- and in a fcAV minutes the voice of old
' ' Jovial ' ' pronounced the traitor nigh . Hoi ! " Jovial ' ' has him said
Hennesey ; the fox broke covert immediately into the valley below,
in a straight line for Clayton Holt ; the hounds were out immediately
after him, and away they went with a breast high scent, "Ruin"
and "Eosamond" taking the lead; the field was now in a great
confusion, every one making his best way in shifting the deep
bottoms to get to Clayton Holt ; but when the leading batch of
horses got here, the hounds were gone through and sinking into the
valley below, and now on for Clayton woods, and through these
coverts they slicked him, and by Danny they dashed into Randol's
copse ; here reynard ranged the covert and brought the hounds to
hunting. Now we crossed the turnpike near the pay-gate, and went
on through Wick wood at a smart hunting pace, from thence to
Woodmancote, and here we came to a check, and very near to a fatal
one, for the sun shone bright, and the fallows were diy and dusty,
the hounds were dra^vai across the line but they could not touch it,
but little " Wonderful," a puppy, straggling along behind, pinned
her nose down to the scent and cherriped merrily, but she could not
hunt it a yard, the old hounds were brought to see if it was good,
which they owned, but they could not hit it off ; this gave Hennesey
the point, and he trotted on across two or three large fallow fields
and held them round, and " Jovial " was the hound to hit him off
again ; we went on then for some miles at a slow hunting pace, what
I called a loosing one, we left Henfield to the right, and got nearer
to the brooks ; the scent improved, the hounds began to get merry,
and into the brooks we went, now the hounds stretched their length,
and we began to go some in the ditches, and some out, the hounds
crossed the river below Motesbridge ; the water was low, some
attempted to ride through, but nearly got mired in the mud, most
of us cut round over the bridge, and luckily we got a cut in with
the hounds again, as they were running very fast, evidently close at
their fox. The leaps now were numerous, and falls plentiful, here
Mr. Strange got an ugly one, which broke his collar bone. We now
crossed the turnpike near Partridge Green, and then came out on
Jolesfield common, the hounds were running and carrying a head as
if on the open down, but all at once they threw up ; the fox had
made a short head, the hounds cast back and hit him off over into a
little garden, in front of a brick cottage ; here reynard had crouched
himself down in one corner, but the hounds unkennelled him, and
out on the open common they came in full view, round the faggot
stacks they ran, over the hedge into the brick -yard, and into the

pond he bolted, the hounds killing him in the cold bath ; he was then
taken out on the common, and thrown down to the hounds ; there
were about fifty horses in at the death, and I think I never saw a lot
of men better pleased. It was a splendid chase of 25 miles in two
hours and ten minutes, the first part of the chase from the find to
Eandel's copse, was a tiptop thing, not a horse could live vrith them ;
the middle part, the huntsman and the hounds had the greatest
difficulty in making out the line ; but the latter part, the hounds
ran gloriously into their fox. In returning home, Mr. Wood and a
friend from Lewes, were climbing Ditchling Bosthill, when Mr.
Wood's horse signified he would rather go down the hill than go
further up ; after some consultation, it was agreed, and with some
difficulty he was taken back to Ditchling, and after the short space
of three weeks he was enabled to walk home to Lewes.

January 19, 1832. — On Thm-sday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds
met at Newtimber Inn ; a foggy day. There was a good field of
sporting fellows, and we all made up our minds to ride and keep the
hounds in view. The hounds were thrown off in the holly bed below,
found immediately, and away we went through the Wick wood, and
then I cannot tell where, but some who knew the country, said we
were near Henfield ; here the fox headed, and we came back the side
wind, but where, I cannot tell : the scent was a pleasing one, what
I call kept us alive, with plenty of leaping, but all at once the
hounds appeared to me to be going right up into the air. " Halloa,
George," said I to the huntsman, "where now?" he replied, "I
think we are going up the front hill ; " " what front hill ? " said I,
he said, "he thought it was Folking." We got to the top, and
managed to keep the hounds in view, across the wheel ruts we
blundered, and sunk into the bottoms below, but I do not know
where, but I think it was near Portslade ; we went on, and then
came to a large furze covert, and Press said he knew where we were,
this was Herringham furze, — this we skirted round ; after this, we
rode up hill, do^vn hill and side hills, and then right into a chalk-
pit, (not over mind ye), on enquiry we found this was one of the
Beading chalk -pits : here reynard got into a hole, and we could not
get him out. It was a beautiful hunting run of two hours, and only
one check of about three minutes ; some thought we had had a very
good day's sport, and wished to go home, others thought they should
like to taste a little more of the fog. Mr. Craven wished to please
all, and said he would draw a little covert below Hedberton on the
road home. The hounds were taken to it, and a beautiful little furze
covert it was ; the hounds were thrown in, and in quick time the
musical voice of old Jovial gave the chimes for starting, and a start
it was — the fox broke covert immediately right under the horses
bellies, and the hounds were out as quickly, after him ; away we went
into some little brooks below, some in the ditches and some out ; the
hounds soon told us we must mend our pace from the last chase, or
we should not long have them in view, — through the Wick wood we
went again, and a long way straight north, but I do not know where ;
the chase was kept up at a desperate pace, leaps were numerous.

10

and falls plentiful. The fox now headed, and came back, leaving

Henfield to the right, the hounds were close at him, horses were

getting tired, and falls at almost every fence, and here, among the

rest, your humble servant got one, in leaping over a hedge and ditch

into an old muddy lane ; the old mare pitched on her head, and of

course, I pitched on mine ; the mare got up first, but she stopped

for me ; I was quickly up and mounted again, but I was obliged to

scrape the mud out of my eyes before I could see anything. The

next leap we came to was over a hedge and ditch sinking into a

fallow field ; friend Kettel was the first to have it, and the first to

get a fall, and his horse rolled right over him, but like a Britain, he

was soon up and mounted again, and quickly had the hounds in

view ; we kept labouring on, and now some gentlemen said here is

Wood's mill, but one gentleman was not quite satisfied with this

informati'ni, he rode slap into the mill pond, — never mind, he got

out again, he only made a hole in the water, and it was all done to

keep the hounds in view, — but of course we could not stop, we kept

galloping on, and dash into Trvily furze field we came ; herereynard

was dead beaten, but that was of no use, the hounds could not get

hold of him, he kept getting back on his foil ; we were here a long

time, at last he bolted into Totington wood, which was just by, and

that was full of foxes ; it was half -past four o'clock, and getting

dark ; j\Ir. Craven ordered the hounds to be stopped ; we run that

slapping chase, which lasted one hour, without a check, and our

horses were all sadly beaten. I now set the old mare's head in a

direct line for Southease, as I had something like the tune of 20 miles

to ride home. In riding across Truly sands, I saw a gentleman in

scarlet sitting under the hedge, smoking a cigar, and his horse in the

ditch beside him. I said ' ' halloa, sir, what a n't you get him out ? ' '

He replied, " Oh, yes, I can get him out Kent, but the poor devil

is tired, and so am I, let him rest a little, and he will get out ; " this

was F. Thomas, Esq. I then rode on and got into the road, and

when I came to Folking there was a pool of water, and as my head

and face was covered with mud, I thought I should like to rinse

some of it off. I called at the cottage just by,, and asked the old

lady to lend me a dry cloth, which she did. I gave my head a good

sousing in the water, and then rubbed myself dry with the cloth,

which made me |uite comfortable. I carried the cloth back to the

old lady, I thanked her, and gave her a trifle to wash the cloth again ;

she said, " she did not think I had got a face when I came for the

cloth, but I see you have now, sir." I now mounted and rode

on again. I was soon overtaken by Mr. Ingram ; he was highly

delighted with the fine day's sport we had had, and also with his

young fom'-year old horse, in carrying him so well. We rode

together to the old dog kennel at Brighton, and then I turned off for

Falmer, it was very dark and foggy ; when I came to the foot of

Newmarket hill I thought I could find my road over the foot-path

to Kingstone, but I soon got lost in the fog. I knew where I was

all the time as Pat said, I knew what 20 acre fallow I was on, but

what use was that, I could not get off. I kept riding and riding,

but I could not get off the piece. I rode for an hour, at last I came

11

to a steep bank, I knew the bank, and knew the foot-path was in the
bottom below. I got off and walked, and found the path ; I now
made up my mind to walk the path to Kingston. I walked and
walked, and at last I walked out into the road at the foot of New-
market hill, where I came in ; I was now quite satisfied. I mounted,
and rode quietly round the road, and got home at nine o'clock. I
had been gone just 12 hours, and 1 think I must have ridden 70 miles
this day, as my journey to and from covert was more than 35 miles.
I heard no more of the day until the next Tuesday, at Lewes market.
I saw Mr. Barchard ; he said, " well Kent, how is the old mare '?"
I said " she is all right now, I have got her here, but she would not
feed until Sunday ; " he replied, " his horse had not eaten anything
since, nor more had Mr. Thomas's, and that Sewall, at Brighton, had
got 30 horses under him from that day, and that jNIr. Ingram's horse
had not stood up since, only as he had been slung up ; he died in the
course of a few days."

Feh. 6, 1834.— The East Sussex Fox Hounds met on Thursday last
at Horsted Alms House, and di-ewthe Horsted covers a blank ; they
then tried the Plashett Park, where they imkennelled a gallant fox,
which broke cover in the finest possible style ; the hounds were close
at him, and went off at a splitting pace, crossing the Broyle on to
Broyle-place ; he then took a straight line to General Trevor's decoy,
at (xlynde, and crossed the Kiven towards Glynde mill ; thence on to
Fii'le, threading the pleasure grounds of Lord Gage ; he then pro-
ceeded on under the hill, leaving Compton Wood and Tilton Shaw
to the left. Keynard now climbed the front hill, near to White
Bosthill, and took to the open downs, crossing the Fiiie hills, on to
Denton Hill, and thence onto Norton Top, and Bletchington Down ;
he then took the Sutton hedgerow, and, finally, to Chinton, where
the hounds ran into him, and killed in most beautiful style, after a
chase of one hour and fifty minutes. The distance from the Plashett
to the pleasure grounds of Lord Gage, was performed in fifty minutes,
and in the hunting phrase, produced bellows to viend. This was one
of the most splendid runs ever experienced in Sussex, and the day
will be long remembered by the sportsmen who were in the field
upon the occasion. INIr. Thomas Johnson's and the huntsman's
horses both died from this chase.

February 10, 1836. — On Wednesday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds
met at Norton Top ; after drawing several coverts blank, they drew
Mr. Dray's covert in France bottom, where they unkennelled a fine
fox, which broke covert immediately ; the hounds were out quickly
after him, and went off at a topping pace up the hill, crossing the
fallow for Hindover, but here the hounds threw up, and cast right
and left in good order, but they could not hit him oft'. Press now
came forward to do the trick for them ; he took them off' the fallow,
and held them round a nice sweet gratten, but it was no go ; he then
dropped back on the tvirf for the short head, he made the draw com-
plete, but he could not touch the line ; he was now staggered, and
said he must be gone forward, he would hold on towards the

12

hedge -rows . Mr. Craven and myself were riding along together down
beside the fallows, when I dropped my eye on reynard crouched
down in one of the furrows. Ah ! Charley, thought I to myself,
what, you are there, are you ; the old fox -hunter had a little inward
feeling ; now that was rather pleasing, to think he could give the
alarm at any minute to please a whole field of fox-hunters, — but the
way to please folks is, to let them get a good appetite, and then feed
them, it is sure to relish and please, — but now things were getting very
flat and dull, scarcely a word to be heard in the field, the horses getting
shivery with cold ; now, thinks I to myself, is the time to ring the
bell for starting. I said to Mr. Craven, " if you want to see your
fox, I can show him you ; " he replied, " what do you mean, Kent ? "
I said, " if you wish to see your fox, come with me, and I will show
him to you ; " he said, " by gad, it is the very thing I want to see,"
with the fox-hunting courage flying into his eyes. He now exclaimed
aloud, " Kent is going to show me our fox ; " this ran through the
field like lightning, and the tables were quite turned, all merry and
gay. I now put the old mare in a canter, as I know when you raise
the courage of a fox-hunter, he likes to go on ; he cannot bear to be
stopped. I got to the fiuTow and pointed out the fox, some said it
was not ; Mr. Craven rode up the furrow, and soon saw it was the
fox ; he then blew his horn for the hounds, as Press knew nothing
of this. At the sound of the horn reynard bolted, the hounds
were quickly on the scent, and away we went, the devil to pay,
blundering into the deep bottom, and then climbing the hill to
Hindover ; here he headed to the right, straight up Cradel hill to
Norton-top at a racing pace, and on to the top of Mr. Geere's hill ;
he now headed short to the left, down across Denton lanes, leaving
the barn to the right, and Norton to the left, climbing the steep
hill, and then bending to the right down across Denton south lane,
and into the brooks they dashed. Up to this point, about five miles,
reynard had run vrith the wind in his teeth, the pace was tremendous,
there was a string of horses for a mile distant ; but now he headed,
and took the down wind, up through Heighton village, over the old
dencher, Heighton hill, and on to white Bosthill chalk pits, where
we lost him ; time, 55 minutes. Immediately he sunk the wind, the
hounds could not hold the scent, and the pace was very slow ; in the
up-wind burst, Mr. T. EUman and Mr. Monk, both mounted on
thorough -breds, took the lead as if riding a race, or as we fox-
hunters say, to see which was top-sawj'er ; at all events, they both
had an opportunity to go their best pace, which I believe they did,
for Mr. Monk's horse died in a few days after, when of course Mr.
Ellman had the chirrup, as his horse was all right, but I understood
he could not get out of the stable for something like a fortnight, but
this I will not vouch for.

East Sussex Fox Hounds, January 16, 1837. — On Monday last the
above Hounds met at Laughton Pomid, at their usual time, and
threw off in Laughton Great wood, where, at half -past eleven, they
unkennelled as stout a fox as ever ran before hounds. Reynard
seemed quite alive to the trick ; he was not to be dodged or twisted

13

but set his head straight, and went off in the finest possible style ; —
the hounds were altogether, and close at home : — the scent was
breast-high, and they slicked him through this great covert in quick
time and "gone away," The field was all contusion and bustle,
every one seeming to predict something severe : — the route taken
was leaving Easthothly to the right, and Whyly to the left, straight
to Barnett Wood, and on crossing the Blackboys turnpike road,
leaving Dalrymple's to the right on to near to the town of Mayfield ;
here the wily rogue still finding himself hard pressed, took a circle
to the left, crossing Hadlow Down back to Framfield ; again to the
left, and worked himself to Barnett Wood, taking nearly his foil
again crossing Blackboy's tm-npike and leaving Dalrymple's to the
left, then crossing over the Mayfield turnpike on to the Cross-in-
hand Fair field, to the Herrings ; — thence to Heathfield, nearly to
the town of Burwash, then heading back, to Broomham, where the
hounds ran in to him, and killed in the finest style, after a most
laborious task of six hours duration. — Mr. Craven not being out, the
huntsman had no one to assist him ; but great merit is due to Press
for the skill he exhibited, and the strength of mind he displayed in
persevering ; nothmg else could have killed this strong fox. The
field was sadly beaten off long before the death, and not a horse
could go on, with the exception of the huntsman's, and he had had
quite enough of it. — The fleet and young hounds, which took the
lively part of the chase in the first twelve miles, now began to get
slack, and the fox had lost his speed, changing his point and com-
mencing the shifting system. Nothing but hunting would now
avail, and the old hounds were called upon to do their duty, which
they performed in the most admirable style. — The hvintsman did not
return home to the kennel until ten o'clock at night.

Splendid Run with the East Sussex Fox Hounds, Nov. 17, 1838.
— On Friday, the 17th instant, the East Sussex Fox Hounds met
at Southease. ("A Bye -day.") After drawing several coverts
blank, they drew Northease link bushes ; they had been in covert
but a short time before a hound began to whimper — this had not
been repeated thrice before a bold fox made his appearance, and
went off in " gallant style ; " being a foggy day, the huntsman
would not allow his hounds to go on till he had got them all out of
covert ; this being done he drew them across the line of scent, and
they went off with a crack, over Iford-hill, leaving Hervey's stone to
the left, dipping Ballsdean deep bottom, and over the hill by the
direction post, in a straight line to Fielder's furze, threading them
to the left over Hodshrove hill, crossmg the Lewes road, near to
Hodshrove, climbing the steep hill by the barn, to Hollingbury
Castle, on the Withdean plantation, Patcham-mill, crossing the
London road leaving Patcham village to the right, taking the hedge-
row in a straight line over the hill, crossing the Dyke -road by
Blatchington-hill ; here reynard crossed this road at twenty -one
minutes past one o'clock, the hounds at twenty-five minutes past,
the fox therefore having four minutes the advantage ! ! He then
took a straight line to the Dyke furze ; up to this point he had run

14

the side wind, but now lie began to shift, and took the down wind ;
at this period our informant's horse was beaten to stand still, and he
saw no more of the run, but immediately afterwards the clouds
lowered upon the field, as if lamenting the loss of one of the best
sportsmen from this excellent chase, and m the end, shed tears in
good earnest, which washed away the little scent there was left,
and gave the fox time to secrete, and we hope, recover himself in
Portslade.

Jan. 12, 1839. — On Saturday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds met at
the Rainbow ; after drawing some small coverts blank, they drew
Wallingore wood, where they unkennelled a fine strong fox, which
broke cover in good style towards the hills, and through ]\Ir. Cripps'
plantation dowTi the road to the chalkpit, where reynard got into the
drain under the road, but he was soon unkennelled again, and the
hounds drew on the scent, when he took to the Downs, crossing
Plump ton and Mr. Moon's hills, leaving the upper plantation to the
right, taking a line to the back of Ditchling Bosthill ; here he
headed and went straight to the bottom near Standean, making a
short head again to the right, crossing the green flats and climbing
the steep hill, leaving Clayton Holt to the right, then on to Clayton
windmill, where he headed short to the left, leaving Pangdean Holts
to the right, dij^prng the green bottom in a line for Patcham, but
making a circle over the hill to the right to Pangdean hill, where
the hounds ran into him in view. It was a most excellent chase
with a lively scent, but the zig zag line made it very difficult to keep
the pack together ; at the short head m the bottom, near Standean,
the body of the homids and the leading horses were thrown on the
back ground, as two couples of hounds which were covering the
right wing caught the scent and went off with it such a pace, that
the pack could not be got well together until they came to the head
of Clayton mill, when they assembled again, and the huntsman
hallowed ' ' hold hard, gentlemen, a minute, let me hold them round,"
when he exclaimed, " Hoi, neighbours, hit him off ; my good
hound," and away they went the remainder of the chase at a most
clipping pace, and ran into him in full view, killing in fine style.

Nov. 11, 1843. — On Monday, the East Sussex Fox Hounds met at
Abbot's Wood. The spirited master and Press, with a good sprinkle
of pink, accompanied by about thirty other sportsmen, seemed to
predict and " entertain a sort of inioard feeling " there was some-
thing good in store for them. The morning too was just what
sportsmen like — without either sun or wind. It was truly a

Delightful scene,

Where all around was gay, men, horses, hounds,
And in each smiling countenance appeared
Fresh blooming health and universal joy."

The business-like looking pack were taken from the meet to Ludley
coppice ; scarcely were they all in cover ere old Druid proclaimed
Pug was on foot, he broke on the North side, and made for Chalving-
ton and Ripe, leaving the mill to the right — took direct across the

15

enclosures to the Liillums, aud ran through that beautiful grass
country to Laughton -place ; the pace being good, ditches rife and
plentiful as blackberries in June, soon rendered the field select, and
the scene somewhat amusing. Men and horses on the opposite sides
of ditches — some in — others pulling and whipping — lots craning —
one thorough -bred black nag, well covered with pink, being the only
one who cleared the reach and lived with the hounds. The upper
end of Glynde road did not alter his line, crossing it he passed on to
Moor Lane, near to Hailsham turnpike road, leaving Rmgmer
barracks, and the old East Sussex Kennel to the right — ran through
Sir James Langham's plantations, up the side hanging coverts in
front of the house to the top of Glynde Hill.

"What lengths we pass ; where' will the wand'ring chase
Lead us bewilder'd ! Look back and view
The strange confusion of the vale below
Where sour vexation reigns ;—

* * * Old age laments

His vigour spent ; the tall, plump, brawney youth
Curses his cumbrous hulk, and envies now
The short pygmean race he whilome kenn'd.
With proud insulting leer. A chosen few
Alone the sport enjoy, nor droop beneath
Their pleasing toils."

Boldly facing the open downs by Oxtittle bottom, he ran on to the
corner of the enclosure on Cliffe Hill ; being headed by some one
coming out of the to\^^l he turned short to the right across the
Coombe, and into Mr. Hillman's Stoneham chalk pit ; four couple of
the homids went right over, and had a most awful fall. He now
took to the vale again by crossing the Ringmer turnpike -road,
passing Stoneham House, Wellingham, the Uckfield turnpike -road,
and into the brooks at lower Stoneham, there gallantly swam the
Lewes river into the Hamsey brooks ; old Druid was soon on the
opposite bank, and having acknowledged the line was instantly joined
by all his bold compeers. Not so with the field. Glynde road had
been crossed, ,but this was a poser. Barcombe mills were soon
sought for ; passing the church ran Coneyborough Park on to Cooks -
bridge ; he then crossed Shefiield turnpike. Warningore being close
to the left, and faced Chailey South Common, where he got into a
side drain. Press was shortly at hand, and in a few minutes he
was again made to fly ; but all his whiles were vain and strength
exhausted, the gallant pack ran into him, and honest John's who-
hoop was music to the happy [few] fellows present. — This run
forcibly reminds us of the doings of the East Sussex Fox Hounds in
Mr. C.'s palmy days ; may they return again. Should their spirited
veteran owner meet with the encouragement such perseverance
richly deserves, they most assuredly will. The hounds are much
im J) roved in appearance since last I saw them, and have received a
great addition in a few couples of chase hounds from other kennels.

March 8th, 1844. — On Friday, King Sampson's Fox Hounds met
at Telscombe Tye ; they threw off at Banning' s, Mr. W. Saxby's
favourite fox covert, where old " Drewid " soon told us there was a

16

fox handy, but they drew the covert a blank ; then they drew Mx.
Beard's covert just by, when there was a halloa gone away for Tels-
combe Tye ; the hounds were quickly taken to the scent, and they soon
told us it was a spicey one, but the foot people had headed him about,
and the hounds were as wild as willicks. Press held them on to the
straight line when they all settled together, laid down their sterns,
and away they went at a most tremendous pace across Telscombe
old lands, over Church furlong, and into Crocksdean bottom, climb-
ing to the top of Southease hill, dipping into the cricketting bottom
like lightning, up IMr. C. Saxby's hill, over Highdool, and by North-
ease link bushes ; now they dipped into the Iford green flats,
*' Gossip and Governess " taking the lead, as if coupled together,
over the sweet brows, and through the green flats they went, at a
most rapid pace ; now climbing to the top of Iford hill, taking the
side coombs in front of Iford, Swanborough and Kingston, coming
up by the sheep ponds, and dipping into the awful cold coombs,
crossing the deep bottom below ; now climbing again, leaving New-
market plantation to the left, circling round this sweet tiirf for the
top of Falmer sheep down, but ere he could reach that, the fleet
hounds were pressing fast upon him ; he verged his line, sunk the
hill, and bolted into Falmer great ploughed lane ; here the hounds
soon got view of him, and it was a complete course all down this
great lane into the hedge beside the tui-npike, crossing the turnpike,
and back into the hedge again ; what -^ath the cracking of the
hedge, the shrill chirrup of the hoimds, and every one of the field
that was up, throwing a little of their dog language, made the place
quite in an uproar ; but reynard beat them all like a game fox, out
into the road he came, bolting up the cutting for Falmer village a
view, but here he could reach that, the hounds ran into him, and put
an end to this splendid chase. The excitement of the fox -hunter
was raised to the highest pitch, men scarcely seeming to know what
to say to each other ; the horses were sobbing and panting, you
might look round and see horses coming over the hills for two miles
back ; the distance was eight miles in the open, through a very hilly
country, but all on turf, except Falmer ploughed lane ; time, 37
minutes. I cannot say too much in praise of this excellent chase ;
it was admitted by all to be the most complete thing from beginning
to end (taking the distance) they ever saw, it was a complete race
with the hounds, but the ladies had it, and they always will ; give
me the lady pack, they touch and go on, while the dogs are think-
ing about it ; horses had no chance to live with them. ]\Ir. Monk,
on his beautiful grey, singled himself out by riding away from the
-whole field.

As this staunch little pack is now to be laid down in consequence
of the venerable owner having numbered the years of three -score and
ten, and his health not being good enough to follow his hounds, it
cannot be expected he can keep them for the amusement of others.
For my own part, as a fox-hunter for this, and many other good
days sport I have had with his hounds, I most sincerely thank him ;
more so as he was the first to establish a pack of fox hounds in East
Sussex, and the last to lay them down.

17

As a pack of fox hounds in East Sussex is now quite extinct, to
those who read my pamphlet, I must bid adieu ; there are no more
of those meetings where you see one of the finest packs of hounds,
some of the noblest of the horse kind, and some of the greatest
nobles and gentlemen of our land, all meeting together, — who can
deny but this was a delightful scene. I much regret to lose sight
of the scarlet coat, that beautiful scarlet coat is now no more to be
seen, but is now turned to the bottled green. Only just take a little
piece of scarlet, about the size of a gentleman's coat sleeve, hang it
round a lady's shoulder, and see what a beautiful bloom it will put
on her cheek.

Brookside Harriers, Jan. 11, 1836. — In consequence of the snow
on the ground on Monday last, these harriers did not go to their
meeting place [Newmarket Hill], but threw off at Rodmell, where
they found an old sporting hare at the back of the village. She took
away to North-bank, through Southease village, up the lanes crossing
Southease Sheep-down to the Hodden Heathy Brow, from thence to
Bearshide-gap, along the cliif to Portobello to Bannings and RodmeU
Heathy-brow ; here she headed, and skirted the back of Telscombe
village across the Old Lands, down Hockhani Bottom, takijig the
Old Road at the back of Deans, and on to Southease Stump Bottom ;
— here she got up in view, and the hounds went of coiu'se at the top
of their speed by Notch Bushes through the Cricketting Bottom,
crossing Rodmell and Northease hills, dipping the Iford Green Flats,
touching Swanburgh Hill, the hounds still running at a rapid pace,
with Liberty and Newsman taking the lead ; she then skirted the
side hill in front of Balsdean, and on to Harveys Stone, where the
pack ran into her and killed in fine style. This was the best run
these harriers have had dui-ing the season, or, perhaps, for many
seasons before. The field was much beaten and the cold iron was
frequently tried on, but many of the steeds could not answer the
demands and it was not without difficulty that others arrived at the
killing point. Owing to the inclement weather, the field was but
small, but those who were there will long remember the day. This
was a famous old sporting hare, which had been hunted for several
seasons before by the same pack, but never could be overtaken.
She was named the Old Court-ham Hare, in consequence of her
always being to be found on the land called the Court-barn Lands,
belonging to Mr. C. Saxby, who jocosely used to say to the hunts-
man, " Ah, you cannot kill my old Court-ham hare,^^ but alas ! the
time was come for poor Puss to die — the pack with triumphant voices
seeming to proclaim " the victory is ours."

Charley Wilkins's Fox Chase. — Being on a visit at a friend's and
out of my own county, he invited me to have a day's hunt with the
fox hounds, as they would meet within a few miles of his residence
the next day. I had been much used to road riding, but not in a
chase, and thought I should like to see them ; but neither I nor my
horse, I thought, would be able to follow them. My friend said,
** I have two good hunters, and as you have never seen a fox chase

18

you shall have the best horse, and I hope you will raise your courage
and do justice to him ; he will carry you through the country well
up to the hounds." We then took another glass or two of wine,
and agreed it should be so, and went to bed in high spirits for the
chase the next day. The next morning, up, breakfast and all right,
morning beautifiil, and the meeting place at Mount Pleasant ; my
friend was all alive. "Come Charley," said he, "on with your
spurs ; let us get there in good time, as you have never seen a pack
of fox hounds meet. I wish you to see everything to-day. " " Bring
the horses out Dick." We mounted, and off we started for Mount
Pleasant ; distance, five miles. " All in good time Charley, we will
take it easy." We had not gone far before we overtook the hounds.
My friend seemed to know every person we came near, and every one
seemed to know him. "Well, Harry," said he to the huntsman,
" what, you have got the lady pack to-day." " Yes, sir," replied
the huntsman, "the hounds are in beautiful trim," and, added
Harry, they are "pretty well up to the mark. 1 think they only
want to find a good one, and they will show you the way." This
lady pack amused me very much, for there were two whippers-in ;
and every now and then a hound was inclined to stray away from
the others, and they were sharply rated by one of these whips, and
called by their names, such as Ladybird, Laundress, Adelaide,
Abigirl, Winifred, Rosamond, Eachel, Gertrude, Ganymede, &:c.
They might well be called the lady pack, for their beautiful, yet
different colours, their neatly turned shapes and the graceful manner
in which they moved about ; indeed their pride seemed as if the
ground was scarcely good enough for them to go on. I could not
but admire them — I was delighted to see them. We were now
arrived at the meeting place. Mount Pleasant. Here it was pleasing
to see the sportsmen coming in all directions, and the gentlemen
with their top boots, white buckskin breeches and scarlet coats ; as
neat as if they had come out of a bandbox and their steeds equally
neat. About 100 were now at the "meet," the huntsman then
moved on by order of the master of the hounds to draw the covert
at the side hill, about half a mile distant. The hounds were taken
steadily to the covert, and by some signal, which I could not per-
ceive they in an instant all dashed in. The huntsman immediately
leaped the fence with them, and the two whips cantered off to
different stations ; each seemed to know the route. The huntsman
began to cheer his hounds by " Yoak, yoak, drag him, yoak, wind
him." They had been in covert but a short time, before one of the
hounds began to whimper, "Yoak, drag him my good bitch, he is
not far off, I warrant it," said the huntsman. Very shortly after
another hound chirupped louder, " hoike to Barmaid, have at him
old bitch, that will do ; elewhoyke, elewhoyke, have at him my good
hounds," continued he, with a rattling twang from the horn. The
hounds now soon got together and began to make the covert echo.
The fox made his appearance at one side of -the covert, but was
headed by the horsemen. He then ringed the covert and the hunts-
man halloaed ' ' stand away gentlemen ; clear away ; don't you see
the fox making the same point again. Get away that gentleman on

19

the white horse;" this was quickly attended to. "Tally-ho"
roared out a great ploughman at the bottom of a field. " Yonder
he goes down beside the hedge row," gone away with a view hollow
from the field. The huntsman now soon made his appearance out
of covert, .mth a sound of the horn. The hounds were slipping out
in all directions ; the huntsman walking his horse steadily on, not
towards the line of scent. This I perceive was to get the body of
his pack together ; one hound was straggling down beside the
covert towards the scent and the whips neither being up, the hunts-
man bawled out " stop that lioimd, stop that hound you on the cock
tail horse. D — n that cad, he is asleep." The huntsman now put
the hounds on the line of scent, and went off in beautiful style,
taking into the lowlands some beautiful large green meadows with
sorong rough fences ; they call them " bullfinchers." My horse was
re?dy for anything. I came near, but I was very nervous, for some-
times I was on his neck, and then back again on the saddle, but I
begun to see several falls, which put me a little in better spirits ;
thinking I was not the worst rider ; when just to my right hand
down came a big gentlemen on a black horse, such a "gruffer; "
this made me feel a little queer again. We now soon came to a
fence again. I think they called it a " rasper ; " my horse took it
In fine style, but by jingo in settling I went over his head such a
double -up. I at first thought I was killed, but I foimd myself on
my legs running after my horse ; fortunately for me a kind gentle-
man caught the rein of my horse's bridle with the handle of his
v/hip, and I soon mounted again. We then came to smaller
inclosures, but luckily forme the gates were open, and I rode through
them (but mind you the hounds were a little getting a head of me
now.) We then came to a large wood with a wide brook to leap
over ; I was not afraid of water so much as I was of the rough fences,
so that I charged this quickly, but my horse stopped short, and I
went over his head into the ditch — a very unpleasant situation I can
assm-e you ; it was a little muddy too ; as well as wet, and dis-
coloured my white " smalls." I was now on one side of the ditch,
and my horse on the other side ; but a man a hedging seeing my
situation ran and caught my horse and brought him to me, and
turned him over the ditch. I then mounted again, giving the man
half a crown. I said "I was in a pretty pickle." He replied,
" that is nothing at all, su-, two gentlemen got in, horses and all, ten
times worse mess than you are, down at the other end of the wood."
He added " if I went through the wood a little way, I should come
into a ride, and that would bring me out of the gate into an old lane ;
there I should be sure to see sometliing of the hounds, for I had quite
lost them." Going along this old lane, I saw a man up in a high
tree. He said, "you are got behind sir." I replied "yes, lam;
can you see the hounds." He answered " yes ; they are two miles
ahead ; they are going over Batchelor's high fields, beating away to
the common ; if you ride a good pace you will get there in time with
the hounds." In riding along this old lane a crow boy the other side
of the hedge halloaed " war bog, war bog, sir." " War bog," said
I, "what do you mean." (Why sir, if you ride right along there

20

you will go plump into that there bog, and you will want one of our
master's cart horses to draw your horse out but if you rides clos':, to
that hedge there is no bog at all." " Thank you my lad." " Bog,
ah ! I have heard talk of bogs ; I don't want to get in those places ;
I have had bog enough to day," thought I. Well, all at once I came
out on the common ; there I saw a lot of foot peoxDle running out of
a brickyard halloaing ' ' tallyho . " " A\\41 ' ' said I . " Kight throitgh
the breaks there, !Sii-." "I see him," but these brickmaker chaps
began to laugh one to the other, saying "he has had a summerset at
any rate. ' ' Another said, ' ' he has been christened and no mistake ' '
I looked to my left, and there I saw the hounds coming through the
breaks. I was now well up again, and all on an open common,
where we ran him through heath and breaks for full two miles, and
to my delight without a fence to jump, and ran into him in the open.
" Who whoop " was the halloa, " Who whoop ; " the huntsman took
the fox fi'om the hounds, and laid him on a hawthorn bush, cut the
head, bnish, &c., ofE, the hounds baying him at the time. He then
threw him to the hounds, and they devoured him most eagerly. JNty
friend now recognised me again. " Ah, Charley, my boy " said he,
* ' I am glad to see you in at the death ; beautiful run ; splendid
Chase ; one hour and forty minutes," [delightful said I] " but you
have had a summerset I see ; you are not alone ; lots of falls to-day,
Chailey." My attention was now drawn to the field to see the con-
trast between the meet at Moiint Pleasant and the "kill" on the
common ; only about forty gentlemen were in at the death, and they
were all bedaubed and splashed with mud ; and the hounds were not
like the same animals ; they were so bedraggled and spattered over. .
We got off the common on the turnpike ; lit our cigars ; and rode
steadily home, joking and talking over the different scenes of the
day.

FARNC0M3E a CO., LEWEl

I