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JOHNA.SEAVERNS
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOR VALE HOUNDS,
FROM
1826 to 183L
SHERBORNE:
PRINTED BY T. H. TOLL, CHEAP-STREET.
MDCCCXXXI.
^ty^ In perusing the Hnnting Journal of the Blackmoor Vale Fox
Hounds, it must not be forgotten, — first, that a very considerable
part of the Countiy wliich their Proprietor established in the Spring
of 182C, HAD NOT BEEN UUNTED AT ALL FOR NEARLY THIRTY
YEARS; — that the Foxes had been systematically destroyed, and
even that their Haunts and Earths were known to few, if to any
persons, except to those who dealt in their destruction. — Secondly,
that this small extent of Country had never been hunted before by
any Gentleman as an Entire Country.— Thirdly, that at its ex-
treme north-eastern Wiltshire extremity the Covers are of enormous
extent, and so full of Earths as to baffle the vii;ilance of the most
careful and active stopper. — Fourthly, that a large portion of the
Country lying between Yeovil and Compton Castle, is nearly desti-
tute of Cover of any description capable of holding a Fox during the
winter months, consisting almost entirely of sandy arable land,
intersected by roads, and notorious as bad-scenting ground.^ — ^And
lastly, that a system of annoyance bordering on persecution, in
THE County of Dorset, was not wanting to superadd difficulties
to the wliole of no ordinary kind, such indeed as must be continually
kept in view by the Courteous Reader of the following pages.
THE
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOR VALE HOUNDS;
FOR 1826—1827.
Aug-ust 30th, 1826.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met for the first time
this season at Stock House; — finding a litter of five
Foxes at Stock Wood at six o'clock A. M.; the Hounds
ran two hours in very g-ood VForking' style and killed a
single Cub
September 3rd.
Found a leash of Foxes at Lilly Wood, nearBratton
and Shepton Montag-ue; — running' one to ground at
Shepton Montag-ue and killing another
September 13th.
Drew Cog-ley Wood, (a particularly fine Cover
belong-ing to Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Baronet, near
Bruton, of 200 acres;) found a brace of Foxes;
running- an old dog- Fox one hour and twenty minutes
and killing- him in Cover
September 16th.
Met at Mr. Sherring^'s Slaits at Milborne Wick,
and found a brace of Foxes in his Brake adjoining- ;
killing one and whipping; off from the other. Found a
third in the Plantation at Corton, and after a very sharp
and short burst, ran him to Earth at Pointing-ton Down.
Carried forward ...
)^
( 4 )
September 19th, 1820.
Broug-ht forward ,
Met at Coombe Farm House, where Mr. Symes
kindly introduced the Pack to a leash of Foxes, in the
fine Brake adjoining- his House; — the Hounds g"oing"
away with a fine young- dog- Fox, which they ran into
after a very pretty run of thirty minutes. Found an
old Fox in Mr. Tucker's Gorse, at Trent, and after a
sharp burst of forty minutes. Earthed him in a drain
at Rimpton
September 22nd.
Met at Stalbridge Park ; — found a Utter in the Park
AVood, and killed one after very little running. Stopped
the Hounds and went to Caundle Brake, (a fine Gorse
Cover belonging to that generous and distinguished
sportsman, Edward Hnddleston, Esquire,) where we got
upon the walk of an old Fox evidently disturbed by
having hear.l the Hounds in the Park; hunting him across
Toomer Farm to Inwood ; in which Cover the Hounds
got up to him, and after a short but sharp run, lost him
among the Houses in Henstridge Bowden,
Tuesday, October 3rd.
Met at Stock House; — finding immediately in the
Covers adjoining, and running for two hours, changing
continually : at length we got away with the Fox across
the Park to the river at Rowden Mill, which the Hounds
crossed, working him on to Caundle Wood, where the
Hounds changed and ran another hour very hard through
the Covers there; and when the second Fox was sinking,
changed again and stopped, but after great perse-
verance on the part of the Men and Hounds we
recovered the hunted Fox and ran into liim near Marsh
Common, after four hours and half incessant and very
hard work
Carried forward ,
Brought forward. . . .
Friday, October 6th, 1826.
Met at Charlton Wood, near Charlton Horethorne,
where the Hounds found a good Utter of Foxes, and
ran two hours — going- away at length with one, and
killing him at Stowel Hill, near Milborne Wick, after
a severe burst of thirty minutes out of Cover
Tuesday, October 10th.
Met at Yarlington, (the seat of F, Rogers, Esquire;)
finding immediately, and after forty minutes of very
good hunting, killed our Fox
Friday, October 13th.
Met at Plumley Wood, Avhere Ave found a very
fine litter of Foxes, and ran two hours ; changing con-
tinually in the thickest Cover, and under a scorching
sun. The Hounds being ?mich distressed, we stopped
and went home
Tuesday, October 17th.
Drew^ the Gorse Cover at Annis Hill, Sparkford
Wood, and Lilly Wood, blank : got upon a rambling
scent near the Cover at Wadham's Down, but it being
late in the day we went home
Friday, October 20th.
Met at Inwood, (a fine Cover belonging to the
Rev. F. Glossop,) and found immediately ; and after
running him forty minutes in Cover close to his brush,
went away by Toomer Hill and Caundle Brake, for the
Earths at Hanover; the Hoiinds running into him in
vieic, before he reached them. We then drew the
Temple Coombe Woods; finding immediately, and after
a particularly quick and good run of fifty minutes, by
Stowel Hill, through the village of Charlton Horethorne
and over the down at Milborne W^ick, we Earthed him
at Pointington Down
Carried forward ....
W
10
( 6 )
Brought iurward. . . .
Tuesday, October 24th, 1026.
Met at C cm pton Castle, (the romantic and pictu-
resque seat of John Hunt, Esquire;) finding a liltei- of
Foxes, killing one in Cover and running another to
Earth at Sigwells
Friday, October 27th.
Met at Cogley Wood, near Bruton, where we
found a brace of Foxes and after one hour and a quar-
ter's hard work, ran our Fox to Earth under a rock
near the town of Bruton, in view of the leading Hounds,
and left him
Tuesday, October 31st.
Drew Creech Hill and Henley Wood, blank; —
getting upon a very stale scent at Batcombe Wood, the
Fox having been disturbed by shooters
Friday, November 3rd.
Met at Plumley Wood; — finding a brace and half
of Foxes, but in a very boisterous and windy day, with
heavy rain blowing up from the south-west. Hunted
our Fox to the Caundle Holts, and thence by Batcombe
Wood across the Stalbridge and Weston Vale to Stal-
bridge Park Wood, where toe changed to the litter
there and stopped the Hounds
Tuesday, November 7lh.
Met at Stock Wood, where we found a leash of
Foxes, running in Cover an hour, and getting the
Hounds away after a Fox that had twenty minutes start
of us; walking after him with an execrable scent bv
Rooksmoor, and over the river to the Mill at Hazelbury,
where we stopped the Hounds, being unable to hunt
him any further, on any thing like terms. We then
went back and found in the Covers near Stock House,
a second Fox, going aivay at his brush, over the
Carried forward. . . .
10
W
11
(_LJ
Broug-ht forward ....
Caimdle River, for the Caundle Holt Covers; from
whence the Hounds fairly turned him, and I'an into
him in the open in forty minutes
Friday, November 10th, 1826.
Met at Cherton Wood, and ^ot upon a disturbed
scent, the Fox having been disturbed by the foot people
before we came. Found ag-ain at Elscombe Wood and
killed in Cover, witTiout a run
Tuesday, November 14th.
Met at Milborne Slaits, drawing the Furze Brake
there, as well as the Gorse Covers at Compton and
Coombe Farm, blank
Friday, November 17th.
Met at Elscombe Wood and walked the Hounds
on to Lilly Wood, where the Hounds found immediately,
and after two hours and ten minutes very steady g-ood
running through the Yarlington Cover, by Shepton
Montague and Hadspen, we ran him to Earth near
Holbrook House
Tuesday, November 21st.
Met at Batcombe Wood ; — drawing North Wood
and Asham Wood near the Mendip Hills, (a Cover of
600 acres belonging to E. B. Portman, Esquire, M. P.)
blank ; there was a good drag, but the Earths at Asham
Wood were open !
Friday, November 24th.
Drew Yard Grove Coppice, near King's Mill, and
the Hinton Covers, blank, with a scent that evidently
showed the Fox had been disturbed by the foot people.
In our way to the Rooksmoor Covers, &c., the Hunts-
man was taken ill and obliged to go home
Thursday, November 28th.__Frost
Friday, December 1st Frost. . .
Carried forward ....
11
-a
6
a
13
. (_«_)
Broug-ht forward
Tuesday, December 5th. 182G.
Met at Leig-h Common, near Wincantoii; — g'oing'
away with a Fox, "svith a very bad scent {after the
front ) by Kilmington to Bourton, and thence to the
Covers at Stourton House, (the seat of Sir. R. C.
Hoare, Baronet,) where we lost him after a run of one
hour and twenty minutes ; having- hunted him up to the
windows of the Mansion, among-st the shrubs adjoining
■which, he was seen lying down just before the Hounds
came up. The scent was particularly bad for the last
forty minutes, a heavy shower of rain falling- in torrents.
Friday, December 8th.
Drew Coombe Farm and Over Compton Brake
■with a lively drag', up to the Earths, which were open !
Thursday, December 12th.
Met at West End Wood, (a fine Cover of his
Grace the Duke of Somerset;) finding- in the great
Bradley Wood, from whence, after one hour and a
quarter's sharp work in Cover, we g-ot him away and
Earthed him (dead beat, and close before the Pack)
at Long-leat Park
Friday, December 15th.
Met at Cherton Wood ; — drew that Cover, and
Tenant's Wood and Compton Wood, blank
Tuesday, December 19th.
Met at Cogley Wood, near Bruton, where we found
immediately^ and breaking Cover as quickly^ the
Hounds went awa^' at the top of their speed for King-'s
Wood, under Alfred's Tower ; which they reached
in about thirty minutes, the Fox and Hounds being-
seen on the terrace there, a few yards only distant
from each other, and making- for the g-reat Covers
adjoining- Stourton House. Here (upon the hill) the
Carried forward ....
13
«
13
Broug-ht forward ... . 13
fog was so intense that we could hardly see each other,
and for a time we lost the Hounds. After a check of
fifteen minutes we got the Hounds tog-ether and hit him !^
off again towards the Earths at King-'s Wood, and over
them with a bad, catching scent for Brewham Wood, and
through Brewham Forest to the deep and heavy vale of
North Brewham, and thence without a turn to Upton
Noble, and for Asham Wood at the base of the Mendip
Hills; from which Cover (a Cover of 600 acres and
full of rocky precipices and main Earths) he was
turned by a woman who headed him in the turnpike
road. The Hounds still held the line, from this place
over the Commons to Nunny; and thence at a foot's
pace to Postlebary Great AVood (of 214 acres) which
he skirted, and on to Marston Forest ; through the
whole of which they carried him on rather better terms,
and onward to the fine and deep Covers of the Marquis
of Bath, at Longleat, where, bi/ a forward cast of two
miles they got up to him again, carrying as fine a head
as they did in the commencement of the day, and working
him in killing style through the spacious and beautiful
Covers of the Duke of Somerset (of at least 1000 acres:)
the foot people, the Fox, and the Hounds being in vieic
of each other; the eight horses which remained out of
a good Field in the morning being unable to make a trot!
By which means the Fox made his point and got to Earth
near Bradley Park, a few yards only before the
Hounds, at ten minutes after four o'clock, after a
hunting run of Four Hours and Fifty Minutes ;
covering at the least computation Thirty Miles of
country during this severe and trying run !
Friday, December 22nd, 1826.
After the extraordinary run of Tuesday last, the
Hounds were compelled to rest this day. .
Carried forward. ... 13
8
Brought forward. . . .
Tuesday, December 26th. 1826.
Found a Fox near Blackford Hollow; — running- him
very sharply and quick throug-h Yarlington, by Lilly
Wood, to the vale by Shepton Montague, and throug-h
Mr. Hobhouse's Covers at Hadspen, killing behind the
Mansion House
Fridajs December 29th.
Met at Plumley Wood, near Stourton Caundle, and
found immediately ; — g"oing- away throug-h the Caundle
Holt Covers by Ashcombe Wood to Haydon, and along^
the Vale to Purse Caundle, by Frith Wood to Stal-
bridg-e Park, where he went to a drain and g-ot in. The
Hounds g-oing- away to an halloo with another Fox,
over the Park wall to Inwood, and throug-h that Cover
by Henstridg-e Bowden, to Caundle Brake, and along*
3filborne Moor to Hanover Wood, where the Hounds,
when close to his brush, were hallooed on to a Terrier !
Went back to Stalbridge Park,_bolted the first Fox,
and killed him for the Hounds' sake
Tuesday, January 2nd, 1827 Frost
Friday, January 5th.
We unluckily chopped this day a fine do^ Fox in
Caundle Brake, a sing-le Hound meeting- him in a rack
way, the Fox having-^ot well upon his leg-s, A second
Fox stole away, the Hounds not getting upon him for
nearly thirty minutes after he had left his kennel. Bad
and stormy as the weather was the Hounds hunted him
on at a walking- pace, for Frith Wood and thence to
Plumley Wood, and over the Earths there to the Caundle
Holt Covers and Caundle Wood, where they g-ot up to
him — when a tremendous shower of hail broug-ht Hounds
and Horses to a stand-still: but by great perseverance
we carried the scent along- as far as Marsh Common and
North Wootton Coppice to Sherborne Park; where he
went to Earth
Carried forward ....
13
^3
03
16 I 9
iJU
Broiig"ht Ibrwaid
Monday, January 8th, 1827.
Met at Pointing-ton Ridg^e, but the Earth at Hohvay
Wood being- unfortunately open, our Foxes were drawn
over: dug- for two hours after one, but could not g-et at
him
Friday, January 12th.
Met at Stock House, and found immediately, a brace
being- on foot ; the Pack going- away with one, without
hanging- Cover a moment, to Rooksmoor, and over
Holbrook Green to Deadmoor Wood and through it for
Hazelbury, by Cockroad Copse to Zoar, leaving- Whit-
moor Furzes to the left ; and across the larg-e enclosures
towards Belchalwal to the left, where the Hounds (having-
been at a racing pace from Stock Wood without a
check) fairly turned him from the hills, going- by Kid-
ford Coppice to Woolland Wood ; where the Hounds ran
into him after a superior burst of forty-five minutes
without a check, having covered eight miles as the crow
flies in this chace
Friday, January 16th.
Met at Cogley Wood and found a brace of Foxes
immediately ; after fifteen minutes sharp running in
Cover, we ran him to a drain in Redlynch Park, the ancient
seat of the Earl of Ilchester. The Hounds were hallooed
to a second, and after running the Park Covers for some
little time, and close to his brush, he was headed by the
foot people, and though we hit him after long checks by
a very wide cast, we could hunt him no further than
Cogley — ^pointing for Pink Wood
Friday, January 19th.
Met at Caundle Brake, and drew Frith Wood, where
we found a brace immediately ; — sixteen and half couple
running their Fox to Earth in view, in Sherborne
Carried forward ....
16
^
.a
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17 I 10
( '^ )
Brought forward. . . . 17
Park, after a sharp burst of forty minutes : — we killing
one Fox in Castleton Lane, (all but in the streets of
Sherborne) in forty-five minutes with seven couple and fc4
half!
Tuesday, January 23rd, 1827 — Frost
Friday, January 26th Frost
Tuesday, January 30th.
Met at Jack White's g-ibbet, near Yarling-ton, and
drew Lilly AVood, (a favourite Cover belong-ing" to U.
and G. Messiter, Esquires. The Hounds ybwnc? imme-
diately; — going- away in the same field with him along
the vale by Shepton Montague towards Redlynch Park,
from which the Hounds fairly turned him for the Covers
behind Hadspen House ; and thence by Ansford Park,
for the Earths at Creech Hill, the Hounds running in-
to him in forty-five minutes before he could reach them.
Friday, February 2nd.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met at Plumley Wood.
It being a very raw cold morning, with the wind south-
east, and the Hounds late in consequence of the frost,
we soon discovered by old Wildboy that our Fox
was gone ! And that we had the heel of him. Catching
the Hounds up as quick as we could, we hit him into the
Caundle Holt Covers, and hunted him to Bull Close
Furze, where the Hounds went away all hut in view of
him^ racing him at the top of their speed to Bishop's
Caundle village, and along the turnpike for nearly a
mile and over the bridge at Woodbridge, and breaking
over the enclosures for Holwell Borough ; and thence
along the Holwell Commons and the enclosures in
Glanville's Wootton to the summit of Castle Hill, which
the Hounds reached in forty-five ninutes. An awkward
check took place at this moment : the Fox having been
headed — an immense flock of sheep having stained the
Carried forward .... 19
10
U
11
( 13 )
Broug-ht forward ....
hill, and a fresh Fox having- been seen and hallooed
before us, but the Hounds being" snug- and well together,
they carried their hunted Fox through Wootton Wood
to the road by the Castle Hill Gardens, and by the
Spring Pond Heads to AVoodfall Coppice, where they
got up to him, and killed liim after a g-ood run of one
hour and ten minutes, with one check only
Tuesday, February 6th — Frost
Friday, February 9th Frost
Tuesday, February 13th Frost
Friday, February 16th Frost
Tuesday, February 20th. __Frost
Friday, February 23rd Frost
Tuesday, February 27th.
Met at West End Wood ;_finding at the Lower
Bradley Wood, and after forty minutes running, with
a bad scent (in heavy rain) after the frost, ran him to
an Earth near the Gardens at the Marquis of Bath's, at
Longleat, where we left him
Saturday, March 3rd.
Met at Inwood, and finding immediately, and
after one hour and twenty minutes good hunting by
Toomer to Caundle Brake, and by Milborne Moor to
Goathill and North Wootton, we got up to our Fox
and ran him in view of the leading Hounds to the
Earths in Sherborne Park
Tuesday, March 6th.
Met at Temple Coombe Wood, (a very fine range
of Cover belonging to the Rev. P. Wickham,) but
drew these Covers and Cherton Wood, blank, in a
most tremendous rain : getting upon the Kne of a Fox
near Charlton Wood, and after a very sharp burst up-
tvind, by Charlton Horethorne and through the village
by Milborne Slaits, the Hounds ran into him at Corton
in forty minutes
Carried forward ....
19
W
11
a;
21 13
( 1-t )
Brought forward. . . .
Friday, March 9th. 1827.
Mkt at Stock House, where we were ag-ain fortunate
in finding' a brace and half of Foxes ; the Hounds were
settled to a Vixen, which they ran for half an hour, close
at her brush : in the mean time a brace of dog- Foxes
slipped away, and when by dint of great exertion we had
succeeded so far as to stop them, we had lost more
then twenty minutes upon the Fox that had last broken
Cover. The Hounds, however, were laid on and hunted
him very beautifully by the Plantation at Rodmoor to
Hoi well Borough and across the river for Bishop's
Caundle, carrying him well over eight roads and lakes,
and getting up to him in the Caundle Woods. He then
turned his head towards Phimley Wood, but was headed
back for Caundle Wood again, by Ashcombe to Marsh
Common and thence to Haydon, leaving Sherborne Park
to the left and up to the Earths at Hanover Wood ; going
through that Cover to Mllhorne Moor, lohere the
Hounds began to run for him, hurrying him along the
Vale to Purse Caundle, and over the enclosures to the
top of Plumley Wood, lohei'e they ran into Mm and
killed after a good hunting run of three hours and half.
Tuesday, March 13th.
Met at Redlynch Park Gate, and drew Cogley,
blank, but found at Pink AVood, and after a pressing
run of fifty minutes, killed him in the open road before
he could reach the Park Covers
Friday, March 16th.
Met at Yarlington, where we found a brace of Foxes ;
running into our first Fox in racing style in thirty-five
minutes. The day being but little advanced, and not
knowing where to find a second Fox without marring
another day's sport, (so small and inconvenient is our
little tract of Country !) Ave trotted the Hounds on to
Carried forward ....
21
W
23
., ( 15 )
Broug-ht forward . .
where a Fox had been seen stealing" away, thirty minutes
before. By the time that we arrived, three quarters of
an hour had elapsed, but after a little coaxing, the
Hounds began to own him, and by dint of the most
extraordinary cold hunting and stoop, they held him on
to a dell near Redlynch Park, where they dropped
their sterns and set at him in earnest! Running- by
Holm Wood and close to the town of Wincanton, to
Holton, Yarling-ton, and on to Wolston Coppice and
over the Earths for Compton, where he went to ground,
(after a fine run of one hour and ten minutes) in front
of the Castle ; all but in view
Tuesday, March 20th, 1827.
Met at West End Wood, (a very fine Cover of the
Duke of Somerset's, adjoining Maiden Bradley Park.)
Found a Fox of the year in very exhilarating and lively
style, but our hopes were disappointed ! He hung Cover
and would not leave the Earths ; and in fifteen minutes
he was killed. Found a second in the lower Bradley
Wood, and in thirty-five minutes got him throug'h those
large Covers and Earthed him near the Tower. Found
a third in Penny's Wood, adjoining Long-leat Park, the
Hounds working" him in very g-ood style throug'h the
whole range of these most extensive Covers, and away
for Bradley Knoll ; and thence to Witham Fiary, where
the Hounds got upon the stale scent of another Fox
which had been seen to g"o away for Deverell Longwood
three quarters of an hour before, we therefore stopped
the Hounds at three o'clock on the Mere Downs; and
took them their eighteen miles home
Friday, March 23rd.
Met at Coombe Farm, near Sherborne; — drawing
the Gorse at that place, and Compton, blank, with a
drag, however, that told us he had been there. Went
on to Tenant's Wood and finding a brace of Foxes, we
unluckily g-ot away with the Vixen and stopped
Carried forward ....
23
13
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25 I 15
l_il_)
Broiig'ht forward . • . .
Tuesday, March 27th, 1827
Met at Henley Wood, near Bruton, and walked the
Hounds on to Batcombe Wood, where we found imme-
diately ; goin^ away close to his brush for Monk Wood
and thence to Asham Wood, where the Hounds ran him
forty minutes and Earthed him under a rock. Ten
couple of Hounds slipped down-wind with a second Fox,
hunting him nearly to Mells Park, and thence to Wan-
strow, pointing- for Orchardleigh Park, but as no one
was there, they were stopped, though on good terms
and the Fox close before them
Friday, March 30th.
Met at Stalbridge Park ; — walking the Hounds on to
Inwood, where they found in very good style, racing
their Fox at the top of their speed towards Stalbridge
Park; topping almost every wall in Henstridge in their
way, turning down the fine Vale under the town and
keeping their heads very straight along this very high-
scenting ground till they came to Yeanston, crossing
the road there and pointing towards the Temple Coombe
Woods, from whence the Hounds fairly turned him, and
ran into and killed him after a severe burst of forty-
five minutes. We then drew the Temple Coombe Woods,
blank, but found at Cherton Wood, and when on TcHling
terms, stopped at the request of W. M. Dodington,
Esquire, to whom the Cover belonged
Tuesday, April 3rd.
Met at Cogley Wood and walked the Hounds on
to Little Bitcombe Wood, where we found a fine dog
Fox, and got away with him after fifteen minutes warm
work in Cover, close at his heels, racing him to Grove
Wood and King's Wood, and up to the Terrace Earths;
but finding them stopped, he came back all hut in vieio,
and unluckily got in ; the Earths under the Tower
having, by some accident, been left open ! Found a
Carried forward ....
25
W
26
( 17 )
Brong"ht forward
second at the Bradley Wood, and after two hours hard
work for the Hounds, the scent g-etting- worse and worse,
we stopped the Hounds late in the day and took them
home ; twenty miles
Saturday, April 7th, 1827.
Met at King-weston Inn, and walked the Hounds
on to Coppley Wood, which we drew with a lively Drag- ;
and thence to Butleig-h Wood, near Glastonbury. In this
Cover we found an immense dog- Fox immediately,
hunting- him throug-h Coppley Wood (a Cover of 500
acres) without a turn, and away for the Somerton Woods ;
but the Hounds turned him from thence to Charlton Adam,
and to the fine wide vale near King-ton, Avhere they raced
him at their best pace to King-weston : (the seat of W,
Dickinson, Esq., M. P.) forcing- him throng-h the back
yard and under the Mansion House windows, and thence
across the Park, where the Hounds ran into him, after
a fine burst of forty-five minutes without a check
Thursday, April, 10th Did not hunt.
Friday, April 13th — Did not hunt.
Tuesday, April l7th.
Met at the Kennel, and tried for an out-lying- Fox,
but did not find him
Friday, April 28th.
Met at Redlynch Gate and walked the Hounds on
to Postlebury Wood, where we found a short-running-
Vixen, with a bad scent, and stopped the Hounds ....
Thursday, April 24th.
Met at West EndWood and found a leash of Foxes
at the Bradley Covers ; stuck to one merrily for two
hours, and when dead beaten, and the Hounds in the
same belt of firs icith him, we unluckily changed, and
stopped
Carried forward ....
26*
W
27
. ( 18 )
Broug-ht forward ....
Saturday, April 28th, 1827.
Met at Pen Forest; finding- at Cockrode, and run-
nino- him very sharp throug-h that Cover and by Stavor-
dale Wood to the Stourton Covers, where the Hounds
slipped away from the Field, and when we found them,
they were at fault upon a small bed of Earths, and
some were marking-. Thus closed the season
Total....
END OF THE FIRST SEASON.
j^::y= Hunted during the season 52 days.
Blank days 10
Found on ditto 42 days.
Killed and Earthed, 44 Foxes.
( 19 )
THE
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOR VALE HOUNDS;
FOR 1827—1828.
Friday, Aiig-ust, 31st.
Met at Monk Wood, below Brulon, at half-past
five A. M.; found a Utter in Norwood, adjoining" Asham
Wood, at ten minutes after six ; and in two Jiours g"ood
work. Allied a fine young- dog Fox
Wednesday, September 5tli.
Met at Copley W~ood, at a quarter before eight A M.;
found a brace of Foxes, and after tivo hours and a
quarter very g-ood and severe running" in Cover, killed
a young dog Fox
Thursday, September, 13th.
Met at the Bradley Woods, but by accident the
Earths Avere open, and as incessant and heavy rains had
fallen for the three preceding days, the Foxes -vvere at
Earth, and we drew the Covers, blank !
Monday, September I7th.
Met at Yarlington, — found an old Fox, ran him
twenty-five minutes and stopped: went back and found
a brace of Cubs lying together, ran one hour and fifteen
minutes, and Allied under the Earths at Wolston Cop-
pice
Saturday, September 22nd.
Found a very small Cub on Milborne Slaits and
stopped the Pack, going (by desire) to Compton Wood,
where we found a litter, and after two hours hard work
in a tremendous rain, zve killed,
Carried forward. • . .
M
t3
( go )
Brought forward. , . .
Friday, September 28th, 1827.
Met at Monk Wood; found a Marten Cat, and
stopped. Drew Norwood and part of Asham Wood, but
found the Cover disturbed by people nutting-
Friday, October, 2nd.
Found a brace of 3'oung Foxes at Fifehead Mag-dalene
Coppice ; killing the first in thirty-five, and the second
in thirty minutes, with sharp g-ood running ; drew on to
Thornhill Coppice, where we found a littei', ten couple
Earthing /AezV Fox in a drain atBagber, and fifteen
couple running ^7(teo/(/ Fox to the Caundle Holt Covers,
where they were stopped
Friday, October 5th.
Mf.t at Coombe Farm, found an old Fox imme-
diately, and lost as quickly, owing to the wildness and
unsportsmanlike riding of the Field! — Hit him again,
however, after a very long check, and Earthed him at
Holway; abundant leisure being afforded him to open
the Earth at this mound of sand! Found a second Fox in
the Brake above the Earth, and Earthed him in thirty
minutes, and left him, the Hounds not wanting blood.
"Went on (by DESiRE)^Ye miles, to Compton]AVood,
finding an old dog Fox at four o'clock, and after a very
sliai'p burst of forty-five minutes, killing him hand-
somely
Tuesday, October 9th.
Met at Plumley Wood, and found a brace of Foxes
immediately in a very heavy rain, running forty minutes
in Cover with a very middling scent — but losing him
when we got upon the fallows near Hanover "Wood.
Went to the Caundle Holt Woods and found four Foxes,
running and changing 'till half past twfl — Avhen the
Hounds were ordered to be stopped; — and by a very
WIDE and persevering cast, a single scent was hit off,
Carried forward. . . .
4
-a
(D
•wl
-C
t->
ru
ci
W
H
i 21 )
Broug-ht forward. . . .
and in forty minutes we ran an old Fox to a small Earth —
bolting- and g-oing- aAvay at his brush throng-h the Holt
Covers, by Ashcombe Wood and Haydon to Marsh
Common, running into and killing him handsomely
near Broke Wood, at five P. M. : havings ran six hours
in an incessant and heavy rain !
Friday, October 12th, 1827.
Found in Cog-ley Wood, near Bruton; ran our Fox
very sharply for thirty minutes, when he went to a drain
in Redlynch Park: found a second in Pink Wood, and
in a very severe burst of fifty minutes across the vale by
Brewham, ran himto Earth, dead beat, at West End
Wood
Monday, October loth.
Met at Yarlington, running over the whole of the
adjoining- Country for one hour and thirty minutes. The
Hounds having- been brorg-ht to a check at Blackford
for thirty minutes, most of the Field went home, but
by a long- and persevering cast we hit off the scent
ag-ain, two miles at least doicn-wind , hunting- up to
him in the vale near Redlynch Park, and after a severe
and brilliant burst, killing, and running into him in
view at Shepton Montag-ue
Friday, October 19th.
Met at Postlebury Wood, near the Earl of Cork's ;
drew this Cover and the Bitcombe Woods, blank: went
on to Batcombe Wood, and found that the Earths
had only just been stopped — and therefore thoug-h Ave
bad a lively Drag and could ball the Foxes, we drew
the Cover, blank
Tuesday, October 23rd.
Met at West End AVood, in a perfect delug-e of rain :
found a good flying Fox, but could not run him a yard.
Carried forward , , , .
t4
( 22 )
Friday, October 20th, 1B27. Broug-ht lor\vard. ..
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Inwood; — findin;>- immediately, and g'oing- away by
Caundle Brake at a severe and pressing- rate to Stal-
bridg-e AVeston, and over a corner of the Stalbridg-e
Park to Thornliill Spire, chancjing at Thornhill Coppice,
and running" our second Fox to a drain at Bag-ber:
bolting" and running him one hour and thirty minutes,
and kiUinc) close to Thornhill House
Tucvsday, October 30th.
Found a brace of Foxes in Brewham Forest, and
after two hours and a quarter's running' with a tolerably
g-ood scent along* the Brewham Vale, and the Covers
adjoining Stourton House, Earthed near the Keeper's
house there
Friday, November 2nd.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Stock House; — finding a brace of Foxes at Stock AVood,
the Hounds (being' baffled at starting" by the Park Pales)
breaking" Cover some distance behind their Fox, but
g-etting" up to him at Caundle Wood, and going* on
rather better terms to Marsh Common, where the Fox
was thirty minutes before them, and the scent very bad
Mith a white frost slowly going off. By exquisitely
stooping and persevering, however, the Honnds hunted
him on to Bishop's Down, and by Buckshaw House
to Glcvnville's AVootton Common, where they be-
gan to mend upon him, when they were unluckily
hallooed to a fresh Fox that crept out of the plantation
in Holwell Common, the Hounds going awa}^ at a
pressing pace to Bishop's Caundle and to the Caundle
Holts, where they were stopped at four, P. M., with
three fresh Foxes before them !
Tuesday, November 6th.
Met at Henley AA^ood; — drew that Cover, AA^ooUy
AA''ood, Creech Hill, and Cogley AA'ood, blank —
the Fox at Cogley having been disturbed by shooters.
Carried forward ....
10 1 6
( 23 )
Brought forward. . . .
Friday, November 9tli, 1827.
Met at Cherton AVood; drawing that Cover, hlank,
but finding" at Compton Wood, and after a sharp racing-
run round the hills killing in forty minutes. Found
again at Tenant's AVood, and ran our Fox one hour
and thirty minutes, losing him late in the da^^, in a
heavy storm near Blackford,
Tuesday, November 13th.
Met at West End Wood; — found a brace imme-
diateW, running to King's Wood, where the Hounds
again divided and the Fox was lost; but in Brewham
Forest we foui\d again, or ^0/ again upon one of the
hunted Foxes, but as the scent was very bad, and the
Foxes could not be separated, we did nothing — and
took the Hounds home.
Friday, November 16th.
Found at Stert Coppice near Thornhill; — running
at the top of our speed to Bishop's Caundle Wood, and
into the Caundle Holts, where we again had three or
four fresh Foxes on foot, and by continued changing,
did nothing
Tuesday, November 20th.
Drew Cogley AVood, near Bruton, blank: found at
Yarlington, in an intense fog, after running the Covers
in that neighbourhood for an hour and a half, the Fox
made a sudden turn, and the Pack slipped away from
the greater part of the Field, going by Elscombe Wood
and Holbrook House, across the river Cale and along the
Vale by the town of Wincanton, pointing for Cuckling-
ton, but it being nearly dark, and the Hounds on very
bad terms with their Fox, they were stopped at four
o'clock, after three hour's Avork
10
-a
3
rt
W
Carried forward .
11
( 24 )
Broiig-ht forward ....
Friday, November 23rd, 1827.
Chopped a Fox at Holway Brake, g-oing away with
a second for thirty-five minutes very sharp and quick ;
but at our first check we lost a good deal of ground, and
a cold rain setting in, we lost him in the fallows in
Sherborne Field
Tuesday, November 27th.
Found at Hicks's Park, under West End Wood, —
running- our Fox one hour and five minutes, and when
on killing terms, and the Fox dead beat and close before
us, loe changed and stopped the Hounds
Friday, November 30th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Plum-
ley Wood, and found at the Caundle Holts, running
their Fox to Caundle AVood, where they pressed him
nearly in view for twenty-five minutes ; but finding the
Hounds in earnest, he went away by Ashcombe Wood
and Marsh Common to Folke and North Wootten, the
Hounds killing Mm handsomely, under Sherborne
Park Wall in one hour and forty-five minutes
Tuesday, December 4th.
Drew Compton Wood, Sigwell Gorse, Tenant's
Wood, and Cheriton Wood, blank; the Earths being
negligently stopped
Friday, December 7th.
A very large Field met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds
this day at Stock House, the Hounds finding a brace
and half of Foxes in Stock Wood, after forty minutes
sharp running in Cover, the Hounds went away at the
top of their speed across the river Lyddon to Deadmoor,
and on to Fifehead, and by Whitmoor to Belchalwal
and Okeford Fitzpane, where they fairly turned him,
forcing him up-wind lo Fiddleford, and through Fiddle's
Carried forward ....
11
( 25 )
Broug^ht forward ....
Wood, (a Cover of 200 acres) without a turn, for the
banks of the river Stour, by the side of which they raced
him at a tremendous pace nearly to Sturminster bridge,
where they dashed into the river in splendid style,
carrying their Fox through the gardens of the town,
and on for the fine and extensive enclosures at Manston;
running into him in open vieto, after one of the finest
runs of two hours and forty minutes ever seen in the
County of Dorset ; having traversed nine several
parishes in their progress, and covered a good eighteen
miles of ground
Tuesday, December 11th, 1827.
Found a Fox at Innwood, and unluckily chopped
immediately. Found a second at Martin's Coppice, and
after a sharp burst of thirty-five minutes, ran him to a
drain in the streets of Yeanston, in a barnyard occupied
by Mr. Davis. Found a third at Temple Coombe Wood,
running for fifty minutes at a very pressing pace to
Charlton Horethorne and away for Milborne Slaits,
where the Hounds got up to him, going away in view of
him across the vale to Stowel, and into the Temple
Coombe North Wood, where they changed to a brace of
fresh Foxes and were stopped, when nearly dark"
Friday, December 14th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day in a tre-
mendously heavy rain at Fifehead Magdalene, where
they found in the Coppice immediately, going* away at
his brush across the Vale for East and West Stour, and
after a very brilliant run of one hour and five minutes,
running him to Earth at Duncliffe Wood, when dead
beat, and only a few yards before them
Tuesday. December 18th.
We found this day at Holway Brake, and in a sharp
and brilliant burst of thirty-five minutes, ran into our
Fox in view, killing near Sherborne Town
Carried forward. . . .
13
^
16
• ( 26 )
Broug"ht forward , IS
Friday, December 21st, 1827. 1
Found at Caundle Brake; gfoinsf away at bis brush i ^
for Purse Caundle, and Plumley Wood, breaking- Cover i '^
in the same field with him; g-oing- across the Yale to
Hanover Wood, and along- Milborne Moor to Pin-
ford, running into our Fox in open vieio by the piece
of water in Sherborne Park, in a brilliant burst of fifty-
five minutes without a check
Monday, December 24th.
Found at Elscorabe Wood, and after a brilliant
run of one hour across the Yarlington vale, and throug'h |
the Covers at Compton, the Pack ran up to their Fox ;
2LXt& killed hij7i on the Earth at Sig-wells. Found a second j
at Yarling-ton, running- him for forty minutes at the top of i
their speed when it was deemed prudent to stop the
Hounds, the Horses being' most distressed after this very
severe day, from the pace the Hounds had ran
Friday, December 28th.
Found at Penny's Wood near Long-leat, Avhere the
Hounds worked their Fox for thirty minutes in Cover
close at his brush; when finding- himself pressed, he
entered the great Bradley Woods (about 000 acres)
throug-h the whole of which the Hounds forced him at
full speed nearly, carryings as fine a head at times as could
well be seen, and g-etting- him away by Whitham Park
for West End Wood, "where he unluckily forced himself
into the main Earth (most neg-lig-ently stopped with a
clofll) ichen the Hounds ivere killing him in most
handsome style
Tuesday, January 1st, 1828.
Drew Cog-ley, blank, in a very heavy rain, and in
consequence of the storm increasing , took the Pack home
at the request of the Field
Carried forward .... ' 18 i 9
iJlJ
Brong"ht forward ....
Friday, January 4tli, 1828.
Found at Temple Coombe Wood, the frost being"
hardly out of the ground ; the Hounds however working
their Fox In verv good style indeed by Stowel and
Cheriton to Blad^ford and vnder Elscombe ^^ ood, to
Home Wood near AVincanton, where they killed him
handsomeh' in 1 hour and 50 minutes. Found a second
late in tlie day at Tenant's AVood, running him for fortj-
five minutes, and losing him near AA olston. in the cross
road at that place, in a very heavy storm of rain and hail
Tuesday, January 8th.
Drew Fifehead Coppice, Hinton Coppice, and
Start Coppice, blank
Friday, January llth Frost.
Tuesday, January 15th.
Found a gallant Fox at Monk Wood; — going away
close at his brush at a clipping pace across the Somer-
setshire deep vale by Batcombe to Creech Hill, and on
to Evercreech and Ansford, where the Fox was dead
beat, the foot people coursing him round a rick yard;
BUT THE RIVER BRUE BEING EXCEEDINGLY
SWOLN BY THE FLOOD, the Houuds and Horses were
oblio^ed to go three miles round to a bridge, and as snow
and sleet were falling in abundance, they could merely
mark his line towards Hadspen, and lost him after a run
of three hours over fifteen or sixteen miles of Country,
as the crow flies
Friday, January 18th.
Found at Inwood; getting away immediately, close
to our Fox by Caundle Brake, and along the Milborne
Moor at a racing pace for Lord Digby's Park; where
the Hounds were all hut in vieic of him, and where they
lost him in an unaccountable manner; it being since
ascertained that he swam the large sheet of water,
and laid down on the Island I
Carried forward. . . .
18
u
si
19
( 28 )
Brought forward ....
Tuesday, January 22nd, 1828.
Found at Hicks 's Park, under "West End Wood,
near Brewham, and after a sharp and brilliant run of
one hour and five minutes, with scarcely a check, the
Hounds ran into and killed him under the windows of
Brewham Lodge. It being early in the day, the Hounds
were walked on toKilmington Common, where they found
a second immediately) going away at his brush to West
End Wood, and over the Earths to Grove Wood, Kings
Wood, and Brewham Forest, trying the Earths at New
Park, and away for the grounds near Stourton House
— and through them for Norwood, and the open Country
towards the Mere Downs, making Knoll Wood, and
half way up the hill, where the Hounds fairly turned
him, and ran into him in very handsome style, after a
run over every variety of country of three hours and
fifteen minutes : walking their twenty miles home with
every stern an end ! ,
Friday, January 25th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Stock House, where, as usual, a very numerous Field
was assembled. The Hounds were walked on to a
favourite Cover of Mr. Yeatman's, in the Vale, called
Rooksmoor, where a brace of Foxes were found imme-
diately, both of them going before the Pack to Dead-
moor, and across the open Commons to Fifehead and
on to Plumber Coppice, and over Sturminster Common
to Fiddle's Wood, where the Hounds, which had crossed
and changed from the line of one Fox to the other,
settled themselves closely to the dog Fox! going away,
all but in view of him, across the Vale to Connygar
AVood, and from thence across the enclosures to the
village of Shillingston, and up the steepest part of the
hill at that place at a tremendous pace, carrying as fine
a head as was ever seen on the most level piece of
Carried forward ....
19
21
( 29 )
Broug'ht forward ....
ground, racing' him at the top of their speed to Dur-
weston Common, and on to Filgrove, through which they
forced him without a turn, running- into him in splendid
style on Stickland Commou, after a run of two hours
and thirty minutes without a check, over at least
seventeen miles of ground, to the admiratiou of the
whole Fi eld : of those at least tvlio witnessed the
conclusion of the run / ,
Tuesday, January 29th, 1828.
Found at Coombe Wood; — going away across the
Vale, at a pressing pace for Charlton Horethorne, and
along the Vale by Stowel for Henstridge Bowden,
running him in a burst of fifty minutes into a cyder
cellar, where he was killed
Friday, February 1st.
AVe met on this day at the Caundle Holt Covers;
finding at Plumley Wood, and where, after one hour
and five minutes, principally in Cover, the Hounds
got up to their Fox, and killed. Found a second in
the Caundle Holts, and after a very sharp hurst of fifty
minutes, killed a very stout dog Fox in New Lease
Coppice
Tuesday, February 5.
Fou^D at Cheriton Wood, and after a ringing
run of one hour, the Hounds ran their Fox to a stone
quarry on Charlton Hill, dead beat. Having heard of
another that crossed the hill about half an hour before,
the Hounds were laid on, and by dint of great perseve-
rance on the part of the Hounds, they got up to him at
Charlton Wood, going away by North Cheriton to
Blackford, and up the hill to Elscombe Wood, which he
skirted, making his point for Wadham's Down and on
to Bratton, and Shepton Montague, and across the
Vale nearly to Redly nch Park, and by Roundhill House
Carried forward ....
21
-a
0)
a
H
25
( 30 )
Broug-lit forward. . . .
to Chnrlton ^lungrove, pointing- for Pen Forest, the
Hounds running- into him hefore he reached it in open
view, after a brilliant run of one hour and thirty minutes
as direct as the crow flies, with scarcely a sing-le turn.
Friday, Feb.uary 8th, 1828.
Met at Nether Compton, where we laid the Hounds
upon the line of a Fox that had crossed the road towards
Bradford thirty viinutes before we came : working- him
in a very superior style by Wyke Park, to Potter's
Lease, and over the river to Clifton Wood, where the
Hounds got up to him, g-oiug away without dwelling'
a moment, close at his brush towards Coker Wood,
from whence the Hounds fairly turned him, making- his
point for Closworth and across the Vale to Yetminster,
and on to Whitfield Wood, and throug-h it without a turn
for Knighton Common, and up the hill to Lewiston
Wood, running- him in view into one of the building-s
adjoining the house and JcUling him (a very old dog-
Fox) after a brilliant run of two hours and thirty
minutes, over the finest part of the County of Dorset:
having measured out a good fifteen miles of ground.
Tuesday, February 12th.
Friday, February loth.
-Frost.
Found at Caundle Brake; — g-oing- away to Plumley
Wood, and the Holts, where the Hounds changed;
after getting- the Hounds tog-ether, we made the best
of our way with a very catching- bad scent, to Marsh
Common, and thence to Broke Wood and Butterwick,
and away for Glanville's Wootton and into the Grange
Woods, where the Hounds changed again and were
stopped, late in the afternoon, after a very hard day
and a run covering at least twelve or fourteen miles
of ground
Carried forward ....
25 9
27 I 10
( 31 )
Tuesday, February 19th, 1828. Brought forward . ..
Met at Redlynch gate, and found at Cogley Wood; —
running' him in Cover about fifteen minutes, and going
away to Redlynch Park, where the Hounds got upon
the heel of another scent and lost. Found a second
at Pink Wood, going away with a very middling
scent to Henley AVood, and across the enclosures to
the town-end of Bruton, where he was coursed by a cnr
and lost '•
Friday, February 22nd.
Met at Cadbury House; drew Cadbury Castle,
Compton Wood, Yarlington, Lilly Wood, Elscombe
Wood, and Milborne Slaits, blank, owing to the neg-
li gence of the Earth stoppers
Tuesday, February 26th.
Met at West End Wood; getting upon the walking
scent of a most gallant Fox, going away after him to
Brewham Common, and Pink Wood, and away to
Postlebury Wood, (a Cover of two hundred acres) and
across the corner of it without getting upon any
better terms, and without his waiting a moment, though
we had covered twelve miles of ground up to this point :
crossing the road by Wanstrow and pointing for Marston
Vale. x\t this part of the Chace, having ascertained
the point he had in view, we took the Hounds on,
at a hand gallop about four miles, and hit him
short into the great Bradley Wood, where they got
up to him; running through these Covers to Horning-
sham, and over the hill to Bradley Park, trying every
Earth as he passed, and on to the Wiltshire Downs,
leaving Longleat to the left, and away to Bidcombe,
and through the Cover there for the Earth on the
open down near Hill Deverell, (within three or four
miles of Hindon,) which he unluckily found open,
after a run of three hours and thirty-five minutes,
over at least twenty-four miles of ground
Carried forward ....
27 10
«
^
]
TT
( 33 )
Broug-ht forward ....
Friday, February 29th, 1828.
Met at Henstridj^e Bowden, and found our Fox
immediately in the Temple Coombe Woods, g^oing-
away at a pressing* pace to Henstridge Bowden, and
across the Vale to East Hill, leaving- Milborne Port
a little to the left, and away for Milborne Wick, and
along- the Pointington Ridge, running their Fox in
view along the terrace, and killing him in forty-five
minutes without a check
Tuesday, March 4th.
Met at Plumley Wood, and found immediately
in the Caundle Holts — and after three hours and
twenty five minutes very good hunting, in a very bad-
scenting day, working our Fox through Plumley Wood,
Frith Wood, Caundle Brake, Hanover Wood, and
Haydon Coppice, by Ashcombe Wood, to Caundle
Wood, the Hounds got up to him, forcing- him at a
rattling pace across the enclosures to Stourtcn Caundle,
and away for New Lease Coppice, killing him hand-
somely in Plumley Wood
Saturday, March 8th.
Met at Monk Wood, in a very heavy fog: — finding
immediately, and going away for Batcombe Wood,
but the fog' increasing in density, we stopped the
Hounds and took them home
Tuesday, March 11th.
Met at Pen Forest; — drawing the whole of the
Covers there, and West End Wood, blank — the Earth
having been by accident put to, only late that morning!
Friday, March 14th,
Found at Holway Brake, near Pointington; — going
away close at the brush of a fine dog Fox, and killing
him handsomely in forty minutes with scarcely a moment's
check, near Sherborne
Carried forward. . . .
(_33_)__
Brought forward , .
Tuesday March l8th, 1828.
FuoND a dog Fox at Sparkford Wood, running- him
across the vale to North Barrow, and nearly to Camel,
killing him in a burst of thirty minutes. Found a second
late in the afternoon at Cherton Wood and after a sharp
burst towards the Temple Coombe Woods, stopped the
Hounds for fear of doing mischief.
Friday, March 21st.
Met at Cogley Wood ; — drawing that Cover and
Pink Wood, blank, but finding in Woolley Wood, below
Bruton, and in a very beautiful burst of fifty-five
minutes running our Fox to a drain in Redlynch Park.
Tuesday, March 25th.
Met at Batcombe Wood ; — drawing that Cover, Monk
Wood, Asham Wood, and Postlebury Wood, blank;
finding late in the day at Bitcombe Higher Wood, and
after a very good run of two hours and five minutes,
stopping the Hounds, and taking them their eighteen
miles h.ovi\e,from loant of day light
Friday, March 28th.
Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Horsemen
met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds this day, at Stock
House; — finding immediately, and after a brilliant burst
of forty minutes, killing our Fox in very superior style
in the open, before he could reach the Caundle Holt
Covers. Found a vixen Fox at Hanover; ran her about
hour, when the Hounds were stopped late in the day,
and taken home
Tuesday, April 1st Did not hunt
Friday, April 4th Did not hunt
Tuesday, April 8th.
Met at the Warren Hill, near Hinton St, George
Found the Earths open, and lost the day in a most un-
satisfactory and unhoped-for manner !
Carried forward. .. .
30
W
11
c6
32
12
( 34 )
Broug-ht forward. . . .
Saturday, April 12th, 1828.
Found a Vixen in the Bradlej Wood, which the
Hounds ran for a considerable time, but reluctantly, as
usual in those cases ; — when we crosed the line of the
dog- Fox, thirty minutes behind him — huntings him on
by Bradley, to the Mere DoAvns, where we were beaten
out of scent, and took the Hounds home
Friday, April 18th.
Drew Creech hill, Woolley Wood, Henley Wood,
Pink Wood, and Hicks's Park, blank, in a very wet day.
Tuesday, April 22nd.
Met at the Half-way House; — found a crippled
Fox and killed immediately. Drew on to Gorton Wood;
found and chopped another, in a most unfortunate
manner. Found a third at Sparkford Wood, and after
a sharp burst of thirty minutes, stopped the Hounds by
desire, it being* a Vixen, and heavy
Tesday, April 29th.
Met at the Bradley Woods; — finding a crippled dog
Fox and killing immediately ; getting at the same
moment on the line of another, and after two hours good
work, principally in Cover, killing our Fox, and
finishing the season to the satisfaction of all present. . .
Total....
32
12
3(j
12
END OF THE SECOND SEASON.
^^Hunted during the season 61 days.
Blank days 10
Found on 51 days.
Killed and Earthed, 48 Foxes
( 35 )
THE
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOR VALE HOUNDS;
FOR 1828—1829.
Tuesday, Aug-ust, 26th, 1828.
Tee Blackmoor Vale Hounds met at Creech Hill
on this morning- at seven o'clock; — found a fine litter
of Foxes, and after three hours steady and g-ood work,
killed one
Saturday, Aug-ust 30th.
Found a brace at Monk Wood at six A. M., (the
litter having been taken, as well as at Bitcombe Wood,
which we tried also) and after a sharp rattle in Cover,
ran our Fox to Earth, bolted in view and killed
Wednesday, September 3rd.
Met at Nether Compton at eig-ht A. M, where we
found a fine litter, and after some very g-ood running",
we g-ot one to a drain. An old Fox was so dead beat,
that he was caug-ht hy some labourers at Wyke Farm,
and broug-ht back to us: we turned him quietly into
the Cover where he was found, and killed.
Tuesday, September 9th.
Met at the Bradley Woods, at eight A. M ; found
a brace of Foxes in the great Wood; gfoing" away with
an old Fox to Marston Forest, and nearly to Lord Cork's,
from whence the Pack fairly turned him, and after a
severe burst of 40 minutes ran into him at Long-leat and
killed. Ran a second one hour and half and stopped,
late in the day, with twenty miles home
Carried forward ....
^
OS
( 36 )
Broug-lit forward. ■ . .
Saturday, September 13th, 1828.
Met at Yarling-ton at eight o'clock ; — found a very
fine litter, and after three hours and a quarter very g-ood
running-, over a great deal of ground, we killed a sin-
gle Fox
Friday, September 19th.
Met at Holway Brake at eight o'clock; — found
a litter of eight Foxes, and after a sharp burst of
thirty minutes with the old Fox, we stopped the Hounds
at Coombe Farm, the Earths being open at Nether
Compton, As these Foxes had done a great deal of mis-
chief at Sandford, we came back and killed a brace of
Cubs in one hour ; and after the Hounds had been
taken aicay, and were got into the road leading to
Pointington, they unluckily chopped another lying
under the wall hy the road side
Tuesday, September 23rd.
Met at Creech Hill; — found a leash of Foxes in
Milton Wood, and after a sharp run under a burning
sun, we ran our Fox to a stone quarry and left him.
Ran a second some time, and lost him amongst the out-
buildings of the farm house under the hill
Friday, September 26th.
Met at Compton Castle at nine o'clock ; — finding
a fine litter immediately, and after nearly two hours
good work in Cover, getting away with the old dog
Fox, and in a beautiful burst of thirty minutes by
Sigwells, and round the hills leading to Gorton, run-
ning into him in open view on the Charlton Downs . . .
Thursday, October 2nd.
, Found a brace of old Foxes in West End Wood fthis
being the third litter already taken and sold !) and
after one hour's very sharp work, we Earthed the Fox
Carried forward. . . .
«
( 37 )
Broiig-ht forward . .
all but in view under Sir R. Hoare's Tower, the Earth
having- been left open ! Drew Gruve Wood, and Hicks 's
Park, but did not find a second.
Tuesday, October 7th, 1828.
Met at Sparkford Wood; — drew that Cover and the
Yarling-ton Covers, blank; the Utter at Yarlin;>-ton,
not having- been, (by mistake,) stopped out !
Friday, October 10th.
Found three or four old Foxes at Plumley Wood,
and after two hours and a quarter, we ran into an old
dog Fox and killed
Tuesday, October 14th.
Gave the Foxes a little respite, having' killed
five brace and Earthed a brace and half more up to this
day
Friday, October 17th.
Found an old Fox in Cogley Wood, and after a
very g-ood run of forty-five minutes, round the whole of
Redlynch Park, we killed behind the Mansion House.
Hearing that four more had been seen in different direc-
tions, we laid the Hounds upon one that had been hal-
looed/ir///" ore 1iou7' before^ by dint of great stoop and
perseverance, the Pack worked his line up to a drain
near Moor Wood ; bolted him, and in one hour and
fifteen minutes we X;?7/efi^ in Cog-ley Wood, in superior
style
Tuesday, October 21st.
A large Field met us at Tnwood, where we found a
litter, and after running an hour in Cover, we laid on
to a Fox that had stolen away towards Yeanston ; the
Hounds running- him most beautifully along- that fine vale
for a mile or two, and on to Temple Coombe Wood,
g-oing away for Charlton Wood, and after a good run
of two hours and ten minutes killing at Charlton
Carried forward ....
9
5
■«-►
13
13
W
( 38 )
Brought forward ....
Friday, October 24th, 1828.
Met at Compton Castle, where a large Field met
Hs at Mr. Hunt's gates ; A-illing a young Fox in Cover
in fifteen minutes, and clapping on to an old Fox, which,
after thirty minutes running, with a bad scent, we lost,
getting upon the heel of another
Tuesday, October 28th.
Found a brace in the great Bradley "Wood, one of
which we Earthed in thirty minutes. Walked after the
other Fox, but owing to the very indifferent scent, we
could never hunt up to him
Friday, October 31st.
Rather more than one hundred horse met us at
Stock House. The Hounds found a fine litter of Foxes
in the Covers there ; and after running in Cover one
hour very sharp, close to the brush of a Cub, (which we
whipped off {rom,) we got away twenty minutes be-
hind an old Fox, which we ran to Lord Digby's Park
Wall, where we stopped iheWoMuds, the Earths being
open: Ave then walked the Hounds on to Caundle Brake,
and found a leash of Foxes presently, and after a pretty
hunting run without any scent, we stopped the Hounds
at four P. M., just above Ashcombe Wood, with
three Foxes on foot
Tuesday, November 4th.
Met at Postlebury AVood, below Bruton ; drew
tliat Cover and Bitcombe, and Monk Wood, (two litters
having been taken and sold here) and some small Covers,
'till half past two o'clock, blank
Friday, November 7th.
ForxD alitter of Foxes in Tenant's Wood, near
Charlton, and after a good run of one hour and ten
minutes, by Charlton Hill to Temple Coombe Wood
Carried forward. .. . 14
-a
•♦.»
08
f4
( 39 )
Broug-ht forward ....
and back, we killed an old dog' Fox. Laid the Hounds
on to another that had been seen three quarters of an
hour before : hit him into Charlton Wood, and got up
to him in Cherton Wood, and after a pretty hunting
run to Temple Coombe Wood, we changed again, and
stopped at half past two P. M
Tuesday. November llth, 1823.
31et at Ashington Wood, near Mudford; — drew
that Cover, Xet':er Compton. and Holway Brake, blank;
the Harriers baring disturbed the Foxes at Holway, and
near it the day before
Friday, Xovember 14th.
Met at Pen Forest; found a brace of Foxes in
Ccckroad Wood, and after a run of two hours round
the Stourton Covers, we lost our Fox in a very heavy
rain and high wind
Tuesday, Xovember 18th.
Met at Compton Pauncefoot, but found the Earths
had been opened ; — found a Fox at Temple Coombe
^\ ood at fico o'clock, ran him at a killing pace to
Caundle Brake, where we changed: and after running
the fresh Fox to Frith Wood, and to Henstridge, stop-
ped the Hounds in Stalbridge Park twenty minutes
before five P. ^I., — nearly dark, making for the Park
^^ ood, where we were sure to chana-e to a litter
Friday, November 21st.
3Iet at Plumley Wood, where a very large Field were
present. Drew the Caundle Holt Covers and found five
Foxes immediately: gettinof awav with a dosr Fox to
Caundle Holt, to Woodrow, and Rowden Mill, across
the river to the lower Plantation and for Stock Wood,
where we headed him, (so as to prevent the Cover from
Carried forward ....
14
4
-3
^
H
15
L^oj
Broug-ht forward ....
being disturbed) forcing- liim away for the Caundle
river, and over it to Stourton Caundle parish, where the
Hounds turned him for Wall Bridg-e and over thebridg-e
for the enclosures under Thornhill House, where the
Hounds ran into him, killing iiim in the river,
after a severe run of one hour and thirty-five minutes.
Tuesday, November 25th, 1828.
Met at Creech Hill; — drawing- that Cover, Woolley
Wood, and Henley Wood, blank; g-etting- a lively drag' at
Pink Wood, and finding- a brace at a quarter before two
P. M., at Cog-ley Wood: after running half an hour
in Cover, we forced him on to Henley Wood, and to
the corner of Woolley Wood, where he was turned by a
boy ; — the Hounds getting- up to him and killing under
the villag-e of Batcorabe, after a run of one hour and
forty-five minutes
Friday, November 28th.
Met at Milborne Slaits; — found and ran to Earth at
the Wheat Sheaf Earths in thirty minutes. Found a
second and killed in twenty minutes. Found a third
at Holway, and killed in thirty minutes near Sher-
borne, without any running-
Tuesday, December 2nd Did not hunt
Thursday, December 5th Did not hunt
Tuesday, December 9th.
Met at Horwood Well at twelve o'clock, on account
of the frost. Found a Fox- in Stavordale Wood, ran
him very sharp round the Stourton Woodlands for
forty minutes, when a heavy sleet and rain set in : we
hunted him however most beautifully for four Jiours
and a quarter, when we stopped the Hounds on their
entering- Pen Forest, as it was getting dark
Carried forward ....
19
( 4L )
Carried forward ....
Thursday, December I2tli, 1828.
Met at Cattle Hill Gate ; — found a Fox twenty mi-
nutes after 11, in Lilly Wood, but he was headed back
into the Honnds' mouths at Bratton, and killed. Found
a second in Holm Wood, near Holbrook House, g"oing-
away at a tremendous pace for Redlynch Park, and
away for Shepton Montag-ue and Hadspen, where we
had a check, but hit him off over the wall, and killed
in vieio near Pitcombe, after a very severe and fine run
of one hour and twenty minutes
Tuesday, December 16th.
Met on this day at Tenant's Wood; — found a brace
of Foxes in Cherton Wood, and after a g-ood hunting-
run of one hour in a driving- rain, lost the Fox on the
Charlton Hill near Temple Coombe Wood : made a
persevering and wide cast on the foil ; recovering in
Cherton Lower Wood, and in a sharp burst of twenty-
Jive minutes killed in the parish of Charlton
Friday, December 19tli,
A very large Field met us at Caundle Brake ; — found
a brace of Foxes g-oing away in about thirty minutes
to Frith Wood, where we crossed a staler scent, and
hunted him sloivly to the Caundle Holts and lost. Went
back and found a brace and half of Foxes in Stal-
bridge Park; cliopped one unluckily, and went away in
a VERY HEAVY RAIN Avith another over the wall to
the vale below the town, stoppings the Hounds when
nearly dark, almost upon the banks of the Stour, most
of the horsemen being- tired and gone home, though
the Hounds were upon killing terms •
Tuesday, December 23rd.
Met at West End Wood, near Stourton, where
we found a brace of Foxes in Hicks's Park; — going- away
Carried forward....
7
19
W
(S5
23
(_42^)
Broug-ht forward ....
at the top of their speed, the Pack raced him to West
End Wood and over the Earths to the Tower, and down
the vale towards Wanstrow, running- into a fine dog-
Fox IN OPEN VIEW in the centre of Whitham Park,
before he conhl reach the Bradley Woods, in fifty
m inutes
Friday, December 26th, 1828.
Upwards of one hundred horse met us at Compton
Lodcre g-ate, near Yeovil; — drew from thence to Comp-
ton Pauncefoot, blank, from ten till a quarter past two
P. M., beings our fourth blank day
Tuesday, December 30th.
A large Field met us at Inwood, where the Hounds
unluckily chopped a Fox in his kennel. Finding a
second immediately, and after a g-ood hunting run of
two hours and thirty-five minutes, kiUlng in Caundle
Brake
Friday, January 2nd, 1829.
Met at Stock House, upwards of one hundred horse
accompanying- us to Rooksmoor, where we found a brace
of Foxes immediately; — g"oing- away at the brush of one
over the river by Ramsbury to Holwell, and over the
river at Woodbridge to Bishop's Caundle, crossing- the
river by Holwell Church for Buckshaw, and over the
Holwell Commons to the enclosures at Pulham, where
the Hounds ran into their Fox in view, after a very good
run of one hour and five minutes
Friday, January 6th,
At Zeals Green ; — Frost and no hunting-
Friday, January 9th.
Met at Plumley Wood ; — found a brace of Foxes in
the Caundle Holt Covers, and afterarer^ severe burst
Carried forward ....
23
W
5
27
( 43 )
Brought forward. .
of twenty minutes ran into a very larg-e and old dog*
Fox, killing in the enclosures near Marsh Common.
Found again a brace and half of Foxes in Plumley
Wood; going away with one to Frith Wood, and to
Stalbridge Park, and on to Stalbridge Weston, and
thence through Plumley to the Holts and on to Caundle
Wood, where we got upon another Fox, which we ran
to Marsh Common, and thence at a killing pace to the
Holts, and to a fallow close to Plumley, where we had
a check, and stopped the Hounds, when nearly dark,
TEN MINUTES BEFORE FIVE, after a wer^^ooc? run
of two hours and forty minutes
Monday, January 12th. At Holway ; — Frost
Friday, January 16th.
Drew Yarlington, Elscombe Wood, &.c., blank...
Tuesday, January 20th. Stourton Inn ; — Frost
Friday, January 23rd. Cherton Wood ; — Frost
Tuesday, January 27th.
Found a brace of Foxes at Bradley Wood ;_ran
two hours and tvventy minutes very brilliantly in Cover,
changing from one to the other ; getting away at length
for Knowl Wood, and pointing for the Wiltshire Downs,
■where we were obliged to stop the Hounds, as the
Frost was not out of the ground, and the liorses could
not, really, stand, when upon the down
Friday, January 30th.
Met at Stock Wood, and alter trying Rooksmoor
(leaving our Fox in a small Plantation near the Green
Man) we found in Stock Wood, and after a brilliant
burst of thirty-five minutes, Earthed him at Hanover
Wood, close to Lord Digby 's Park
Tuesday, February 3rd. Stourton Inn ; — Frost
Brought forward. . . .
27
M
J3
as
28
. ( 44 )
Broug^ht forward. . • .
Friday, February 6th, 1829.
Met at Stalbridge Park ; found a brace and half
of Foxes at luwood, and after a superior run of one
hour and forty minutes, by Temple Coombe Wood,
Henstridge Bowden, Caundle Brake, Plumley Wood,
and Hadspen, ice got up to him in Goathill, adjoin-
ing Lord Dig-by 's Park, and when the Hounds were
killing him, he went to an Earth that had been left
open at Mews Hill, and saved himself, when a few
yards only before the Pack
Tuesday, January 10th.
Met at Monk Wood, near Mendip, where we found
a brace, and in thirty-two minutes killed in Asham
Wood. The Hounds were hallooed on to a second,
which went away towards Mells Park, and across the
corner of Mendip, Avhen heing pressed, he turned and
went to a rock in Asham Wood in fifty minutes
Friday, January 13th.
Met at Nether Compton ; — heard of a Fox that
had g-ot away from the Earths, but could not find him.
As we were g'oing- to Hoi way Brake, heard of a Fox
that had been seen at Sandford twenty minutes before ;
the Hounds hunted him very beautifully across to the
Trent Earths, and away for Rimpton Hollow, where
they got up to him and as he had been worried by a
sheep dog in the morning, they ran into him in view
before he could reach the Compton Earths, in a very
severe burst of eighteen minutes
Tuesday, February 17th.
Met at Cogley Wood, and found a brace of Foxes
immediately ; — after a ring or two in that fine Cover,
the Fox being headed, he made a point for Godmanstone
Coppice, and behind the Mansion in Redlynch Park
for Moor Wood, and away for Round Hill, and thence
Carried forward. . . .
28
W
0
-3
30
C 45 )
Brought forward ....
almost to Bratton, but being* headed, he made his way
across the vale to Redlynch Park, where the Hounds
g"ot up to him and Earthed him in a drain in the Park
Wood, in one hour and thirty minutes, very good run-
ning", from V, hence we bolted him
Saturday, February 21st, 1829.
Met at Stourton Inn ; drawing Deverell Long-
wood, blank, but finding in Bradley Wood ; the Hounds
going away to Horsingsham Hill, where they divided
with a brace of Foxes, about five couple racing their
Fox to Longleat and across the Park to the Covers near
Marston, Avhere the Pack were got together, and after
working him in good style for one hour and ten minutes,
they ran into and killed him in Penny's Wood
Tuesday, February 24th,
Met at Pen Forest ; finding a brace of Foxes im-
mediately, and after two hours good work, (the first
fifty minutes close at his brush) through the Stourton
Covers, we ran him to the village of Penselwood, and
lost (and no doubt left) him somewhere among the
houses ,
Friday, February 27th.
Met at Cherton Wood ; — finding immediately, and
going away close at his brush for Temple Coombe Wood,
and thence to Inwood, where he waited a little, and
then made his way to Caundle Brake, and to Frith AVood,
under Stalbridge Park, where the Hounds ran into and
killed after a severe run of one hour and forty minutes.
Tuesday, March 3rd.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Bit-
combe Wood, near Frome. The Hounds were thrown
in to Cover at eleven o'clock, and in fifteen minutes
precisely after that time, a fine Fox was hallooed away,
Carried forward ....
30
W
8
33
( 46 )
Brong-ht forward . .
with the Hounds pretty close at his brush, pointing' for
Lower Bitcombe Wood, from whence he was headed,
making- his way for Postlebury Wood, (a fine Cover
belonging to the Earl of Cork, of about 200 acres,) which
he merely skirted, however, g'oing- across the vale for
Wanstrow, and thence over the common, at the top of
the speed of these staunch Hounds, for Witham Friary,
and across Witham Park for West End Wood, (a fine
rang-e of Cover of the Duke of Somerset of about 200
acres;) but finding the Earths well stopped, he went
through it, ^Yithout a turn, for Yarnfield Common,
where the wind being rather too much in his teeth he
made for Sir Richard Hoare's extensive Covers, for
King's AVood, and over the Earths at Alfred's Tower,
and along the Terrace at this magnificent spot for
Brewhara Wood, across the corner of which he directed
his way, at his best pace, for Xew Park AVood and
Ccckroad, leaving Stavordale Wood to the right, and
thence for the depths of Pen Forest, the glades of which
he threaded direct for Leigh Common, leaving the town
of Wincanton a little to the right, and on to Stoke
Trister, and under Cucklington Hill, for the fine vale
which there opens upon the view, by Horwood Well to
Rodgrove, and away for the River Cale, through which
these gallant Hounds dashed in splendid style, evidently
showing-, however, by the relaxation of their speed,
and occasional checks, that their Fox was getting a
g-ood way a head of them. The stoop and perseverance
of these Hounds, at this period of the chase, was much
and deservedly admired; and across Horsing-ton Marshes
they showed their determination to get up to him if
possible, carrying as fine a head as at any part of the
previous run, working him through the orchards and
farm-yards of the parish of Horsington, where they
hunted up to him in a piece of wheat adjoining the Vale i
Carried forward .... I
33
-a
«
33 8
47
Brought forward . ■ . . 33 8
of Blackmoor Turnpike Road, runninsfhiin in view across' _
the grounds of ^V. M. Dodington, Esquire, and JciUing , ^^
him in superior style, after a run (unsurpassed in the | W
opinion of the oldest sportsman present) of three honrs
and forty minutes, over at least twenty-five miles of
ground
Friday, March 6th, 1829.
A very lai^e Field met at Stock House: after
drawing Rooksmoor, blank, the Hounds found a Vixen
in Stock Wood, from which thev were stopped. They
then found a brace of Foxes in Thornhill Coppice,
going away all but in view with the dog Fox in front
of Thornhill House, and by the obelisk across Stal-
bridge Weston Common to Xew Lease Coppice, and
away through the Caundle Holts to Caundle Wood, and
thence by Marsh Coppice to the enclosures and orchards
under Bishop's Caundle; in the roads of which village
he WAS COURSED by acur dog; after a Ions' check,
however, the Hounds hit him on again for the river at
Woodbridge. and for the Plantations and Park at Stock
House, for Stock Wood, and through it for LyJlinch
Common, where the Hounds hunted him into an
orchard adjoininor a cottage : beyond which spot they
could not mark his line and lost him accordingly. ...
Tuesday, March 10th.
Found at Hicks's Park, near Brewham Common ; —
running one hour and forty minutes round the Stourton
Country and killed
Friday. March ISth.
Drew Thornhill Coppice. Stalbridge Park, and In-
wood, blank. ^^ hen on our way to the Coombe ^^ oods,
we were hallooed to a Foxs — cent half an hour old; hunt-
ed him, however, fifty-five minutes by Toomer, Frith
Carried forward .... 35
( -tg )
Brousfht forward ....
Wood, and throug-h Plnmley Wood pointing- for the
Earths at Sherborne Park, but the Fox being- a lono;
while a head of us, and the snow which had fallen in the
morning, being still in patches on the surface of the
gfround, we came to a stand-still, and took the Hounds
home
Tuesday, March 17th, 1829.
FouXD in Cog"ley Wood ; — ran our Fox forty-five
minutes to Redlynch Park, where we Earthed and kill-
ed. Found a second, which we ran one hour and a
quarter, but the Fox being coursed by a dog-, we lost
in the fallows near Hadspen
Friday, March 20th.
Drew Milborne Slaits, Temple Coombe Wood,
Cherton Wood, and Tenant's Wood, blank. Found at
Hicknell Furze at Compton, and chopped. Found a
second at Holway, and after a sharp run of one hour
and ten minutes, ran him to Earth at Xether Compton.
Tuesday, March 24th.
Drew Sparkford Wood, Annis Hills, Yarlington,
and Elseombe Wood, blank
Saturday, March 28th.
Found a brace of Foxes at Bidcombe, on the down
above Long-leat ; — the Hounds dividing, we g-ot them
together, and by a very forsvard cast, hit our Fox over
the Earths at Penny's Wood, running* throug-h Bradley
Wood and over the hill to Horsing-sham, and across Long--
leat Park to the Frome Woodlands, where w^e had a
brace of Foxes before us, but after incessant running"
from a quarter before tivehe 'till six P. M.^ we killed
in superior style at six precisely, only ten in at the death,
out of a large Field. The Hounds had twenty miles
home, which they reached, fresh and well at half past
ten at night
Carried forward. . . .
38
( 49 )
Carried forward ....
Tuesday, March 31st, 1829.
Drew Bitcombe, Postlebury, and 3Ionk Wood,
and Bitcombe Wood, blank, — when we were hallooed
to a Fox that had been seen sinking- the wind and slip-
ping' from us half an hour before : the Hounds hunted
him about a mile and lost him in a farm-yard, where
it has been since learnt, that he went into a drain
Saturday. April 4th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Xether
Compton Lodge Gate ; — drew Potter's Lease, blank, and
were turning to ^^ yke Furze, when we were hallooed
across the river to Clift AA ood, where the Hounds g'ot
up to a Fox in a few minutes and pressed him severely
for half an hour : it being' discovered, however, that
the Hounds had been treacherously hallooed across
the river to Mr. Farquharson's Country. thev were
immediate!// stopped. Found a second Fox at Coombe
Farm, but the rain coming- down in torrcJits, the Fox
was lost, and the Hounds walked home ; the day having'
been completely thrown away I
Wednesday, April 8th.
Drew Coppley ^^ ood, near King-weston: — ran our
Fox across to the vale near Soraertou, but lost him in the
fallows near the town, after fifty-five minutes running'
with an execrable scent : the Fox, also, having- been
evidently coursed by a sheep dog'
Saturday, April 11th.
Found at Cockroad, near Pen Forest, and in a
brilliant burst of forty minutes. X.v7/if/ a slapping^ dog
Fox. Found a second in West End Wood, and after
a capital run of one hour and ten minutes through
Brewham Forest, by Gasper Common to Stourtou, we
k illed another verj" old dog Fox near Stourton House,
after the finest daj's sport ever seen at Stourton
Carried forward ....
38
40
( 50 )
Broug^ht forward. • . .
Thursday, April 16th, 1829.
Drew Annis Hill and Sparkford Wood, blank;
but g-ot upon a Fox that had been pinched in a trap,
and in a burst of fifteen minutes, killed him
Wednesday, April 22nd.
Found at Penny's Wood, and after runjiing a brace of
Foxes in the Bradley Woods and the Covers adjacent,
for three hours and three quarters, g-ot up to the Vixen
that had laid down her Cubs and stopped
Total....
40
9
rz
0)
-a
0)
^
s^
..^
c3
^
H
1
41
9
END OF THE THIRD SEASON.
^:;/='Hunted during the season 57 days.
Blank days 5
Found on 52 days.
Killed and Earthed, 50 Foxes.
( 51 )
THE
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOH VALE HOUNDS;
FOR 1829—1830.
Saturday, August 29th, 1829.
Met at Penny's Wood, near Longleat, at eig-ht
A. M; — found a strong and good litter immediately,
but running four hours and three quarters, changing
continually, we were obliged to stop the Hounds, from
the excessive heat, having twenty miles home
Thursday, September 3rd.
Met at Monk Wood at seven A. M ; not finding
at Monk Wood, we proceeded to Batcombe Wood,
where the Pack found an old *Fox at a quarter after
nine o'clock, going away at the top of their speed for
Weston Town Wood, and across the vale for Monk
Wood, reaching Asham Great Wood (of 600 acres)
with the Fox only two fields before them, and through it
without a turn, as if pointing for Mells Park, but being
hard pressed, he turned again for Asham Wood, and
through it, the Hounds working him over the high rocks,
for the road near North Wood. The heat being excessive,
we stopped the Hounds, though the Fox was hallooed,
dead heat, in to Batcombe Wood, and the more so, as the
Hounds (having twenty miles home) had but one
CLEAR day's rest before meeting at Thornhill Coppice.
* We found and killed this identical Fox on Thursday the
thirteenth of April 1830, after a superior run of one hour and
forty-five minutes.
Carried forward ....
V
CS
( 52 )
Brought forward. . . .
Saturday, September 5tli, 1829.
Met at Thornhill Coppice at seven A. IVI; — found
a very fine litter of Foxes, and after one hour and
twenty minutes good work, killed a sing-le Cub
Tuesday, September 8th.
Met at six A. M., at Penny's Wood, near Bradley ; —
found a brace and half of l-'oxes, and after running
incessantly for three hours. Earthed one on Rodmoor's
Hill, beyond Longleat Park
Saturday, September Vlih.
Met at Nether Compton at seven A. M. Found a
fine litter at Rotley : — the Hounds unluckily running
their Fox to Earth, — the main Earth having been left
open. Proceeded to Coombe Farm, and after a sharp
burst killed a single Cub
Tuesday, September 1.5th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Brad-
ley Wood at nine o'clock; finding in one of the
Marquis of Bath's Covers, and after four hours and
half, very hard and good work, stopping the Hounds,
which were nearly overpowered with the heat and
fatigue, a litter of Foxes being on foot, which could
not be separated in those extensive Covers
Saturday, September 19th.
Met at Nether Compton at nine; — after running
about fifteen minutes, twenty couple X'^7/(?c? ff j^ne dog
Fox of the year, five couple going away with another
to Honeycombe. Went on to Compton Pauncefoot,
and after running a second litter two hours and half,
killed a second in good style
Tuesday, September 22nd.
Met at Cogley Wood at nine o'clock; — found a brace
Carried forward. . . .
( 5-3 )
Broug'ht forward. .. .
of old Foxes immediately, the Hounds g'oing' away at
the brush of the dog- Fox to Moor Wood, and across
Redlynch Park for the building's adjoining' the Farm
House there, where they tlneio up at a drain^ and
were taken from thence to the stale scent of the
second Fox : being unable to g-et over this difficulty,
we drew tiiem throug-h Ccg-ley ag-ain, and drawing-
Pink Wood, blank, took the Hounds home
Saturday, September 26th, 1829.
Met at Yarlington at ten o'clock; — finding' a g^ood
Utter of Foxes ; and after one hour's sharp and g-ood
running-, killing a fine dog Fox. Walked the Hounds
on to Hadspen Wood, where we g'ot upon the very stale
scent of an old Fox which had slipped away when we
began, and after hunting him in to the road, stopped,
and went home
Tuesday, September 29th.
A larg-e Field met us this day at Inwood, where we
found a litter ; and in twenty minutes very quick loork,
the Hounds killed a very fine full-g-rown dog- Fox. We
then found an old Fox in the Caundle Brake, which, after
going- to Frith Wood, was headed hack by the Brake,
and by Henstridge Bowden to Inwood, and thence to
Temple Coombe Wood, but the heat being excessive,
and the horses much jaded, we stopped the Pack, and
took them home, after three hours hot work
Saturday, October 3rd.
Met at West End Wood, near Alfred's Tower ; —
finding- a Utter of Foxes, and in two hours and half g-ood
and very superior running-, killing a very forward and
full-grown dog' Fox
Tuesday, October 6th.
Met at Thornhill Obelisk ; — .drawing- Thornhill Cop-
pice, and Stalbridg-e Park, blank. Finding- a brace of
Carried forward ....
W
3 1
( 54 )
Broiig-lit forward . • . .
young' Foxes in Furze Plantation, adjoining- the Park,
and after forty -five minutes very pretty running' by
Caundle Brake and Toomer Farm, we killed him in
Toomer Coppice, near Inwood 1
Saturday, October 10th, 1829.
Met at Bradley ; — finding* immediately in Penny's
Wood, and in forty minutes, without a check, when
killing^ ran our Fox to a small Earth, from whence he
was shortly taken. Found a second in one of the Long'-
leat Covers, and after ttvo hours and ten minutes most
brilliant running-, without a check, over the whole of the
Horsingsham and Long-leat Country, /(■27/ec? a four-year-
old dog- Fox at ten minutes past four o'clock ; the
Hounds, &c., having- twenty miles home
Tuesday, October 13th.
Met at Stock AVood, where we found four or
five Foxes immediately ; — after twenty minutes sharp
work in Cover, going- away across the Caundle River
close to the heels of a five-year-old dog- Fox, for Weston
and on to Stalbridge Park, where the Pack ran into
him in open view, after a splendid burst of thirtt/-Jive
minutes from the Cover's edge
Saturday, October 17th.
Met at Pen Forest, and found a brace of Foxes
immediately ; going away close to the dog Fox for
New Park Wood, and over the Earths for Gasper Com-
mon, and through Sir Richard Hoare's extensive Covers
and pleasure grounds for Yarnfield Common, where the
Hounds got up to him, and ran into him in view, after
a severe and brilliant burst of ffty-eight minutes
without a check
Tuesday, October 20th.
Met at Cogley Wood, near Bruton ; — drawing that
Brought forward. . . .
12 I 3
( 55 )
Broug"ht forward . .
Cover in a driving* rain, blank. As we were proceeding
to the Covers under Alfred's Tower, without having- had
the touch of a Fox, we were broug-ht back to a part of
the Cover where a Fox had been seen thirty minutes
lefore : the Hounds hunted him with a very indifferent
scent to the Great Park Wood at Redlynch, where we
could mark his line no further. We then walked the
Hounds on to Brewham Forest, which we drew, blank,
and it being- three o'clock, and having- twenty miles
home, we retreated without doing any thing more.. ..
Friday, October 23rd, 1829.
Met at Nether Compton, and found a brace of
Foxes immediately ; — six couple killing one in Rottley
Coppice on the Earth ; and the Pack g-oing- away at the
top of their speed with the other along Sherborne Field
for Holway, and nearly to Lord Digby's Park, where
he was headed ; and thence to Coombe Farm and
Compton, the Pack running- into SLa^l killing him in the
open, at the end of a severe run of one hour and ten
minutes
Tuesday, October 27th.
Met at Yarnfield Gate, in a heavy fog. Threw off
at twelve ; — finding a brace of Foxes in Hicks's Park ; —
g-oing- away with a middling scent to West End Wood
and over Yarnfield Common to Kilmington Plantation, and
through the whole of Sir R. Hoare's pleasure grounds
to the ridg-e behind Stourton Inn, where they were halloo-
ed to a fresh Fox (the hunted Fox was seen to lie down,
dead heat^ a little further on in a potatoe field) which
went to Alfred's Tower, where we stopped the Hounds
at half-past four, with twenty miles home. We drew
the Bradley Woods without finding- in the morning-,
the Earths having- been stopped late ; and did not find
till three o'clock
Carried forward ....
12
2
-73
rt
H
14
( 56 )
Broug-ht forward ....
Friday, October 30th, 182-9.
3Iet at Tenant's Wood; — finding- a short running-
Fox at Compton Wood, which we lost at the end of fif-
ty minutes, dead beat, owing to the Field over-riding
the Hounds and riding after the Fox
Friday, November 3rd.
Met at Bidcombe Down, near Bradley ; — found
immediately, and after thirty minutes, the Hounds being-
over-rode by the Field, they were brought to a serious
check: iooWheva. onfull siving io \\iG Earths at Hor-
sing-sham, hitting^ him well in to Penny's Wood,
where the Hounds g-ot up to him, and in fifty-five
minutes ra]S him to a drain in front of Longleat
House, the leading Hounds close at his brush
Friday, November 6th.
Met at Cadbury House ; — found immediately in
Sparkford Wood, g"oing- away at his brush across the
vale to Cadbury Castle, and away to Sutton and Gorton,
running into Mm in vieio on Milborne Down (a two-
year-old dog- Fox,) after a beautiful run of one hour
and ten minutes
Tuesday, November 10th.
Met at Pen Forest ; — found immediately; going-
away at his brush for Gaspar Mill, by Pen Pits, and
on to Broom Wood, in front of Stourton House ; Avhere
we found that one liound had slipped on ahead, which
brought us to a check : hit him on again for Dcverell
Longwood, which he skirted ; going up the Roman
I ntrenchments for Mere Down, and over them for
Bradley Knoll, where we ■were beat out of scent— a
heavy rain coming down
Friday, November 14th.
Met at Cheriton Wood, and found immediately; — going
away to Charlton Horethornc, and along the vale to
Carried forward ....
( 57 )
Broiig"ht forward. • . .
Stowel, and Temple Coombe Wood, and thence to
Inwood, where the Pack got up to him, and Earthed
him in Yeanston Coppice, after a brilliant burst
of forty minutes. A brace of Foxes being hallooed
away from Inwood, we laid on immediately to one of
them, g-oing- away to Caundle Brake, Plumley Wood,
and Hanover, and thence to North Wootton, and on to
Sherborne Park, where we stopped the Hounds, after
three hours a7id three quarter's hard running, with a
brace of Foxes before them
Tuesday, November 17th, 1829.
One hundred and twenty-five horse met this day
at Stock House, and proceeded with the Pack to Rooks-
moor, where they found a brace and half of Foxes; —
g-oing- away with the dog-, and with an execrable scent
(the frost being- hardly out of the g-round) to Deadmoor,
and to Plumber and under Fifehead Coppice to the edg-e
of Sturminster Common, and by Hazelbury to Dead-
moor and Ramsbury to the Plantation at the Green
Man, where a dog coursed the Fox; we hit him again,
however, after a long- check, by Rodmoor towards Wood-
bridge, into the road opposite the Lodg-e Gates at Stock
House, where it was deemed prudent to stop, and not
to disturb Stock Wood, a large Field being- expected
there on the eig-hth of December
Friday, November 20th.
Found a brace of Foxes at Compton Pauncefoot; —
running the hunted Fox to Earth at Sigwells in thirty
minutes; the Badgers having unluckily opened the
Earths there. Walked the Pack on to Elscombe
Wood, where they found immediately, going away to
Shepton Montague and Hadspen ; and after a capital
run of two hours and twenty minutes, the Fox close
before them for the last mile, and in view of the
Carried forward
■ Ti ~~~
15
W
15
l 58 )
Broug-ht forward ....
leading riders; running him to earth, dead beat,
at Wolston Coppice; — the stoppers having unluckily
opened the Earth, thinking- that the Hounds had gone
home, it being nearhf dark .'
Tuesday, Xovember 24th, 18-29.
Mkt at Xether Compton Lodg'e ; — found a brace and
half of Foxes in Potter's Lease, crossing the river to
Newton, and on to Berwick, and throug-h Clift Wood
to Yetminster. and away on middling- terms with a bad j
scent to Melbury, and thence to a small coppice near }
Evershot, where the Hounds hunted up to their Fox I
in beautiful style, to the admiration of the whole Field; '
running- him in view into a small Coppice, where they
chansfed to a brace of fresh foxes, goin2;' away
at the top of their speed to Wolcombe AValls and clear
to AVraxall, where they were with difficulty stopped,
after a very hard and unlucky day of three hours and
a quarter's incessant work, having covered more than
twenty miles of ground
Fridav. November 27th.
Met at Leigh Common: — killed a Fox in IMr.
Phelips's Plantation without much runninof; the Fox
being headed on each side. It being a very dense fog, j
after a short draw towards Brewham Wood, &c., we '
took them home
Tuesdav, December 1st.
Met at Zeals Green: — got upon the disturbed scent
of a gallant Fox in Deverell Long^vood, the Fox having
been disturbed by the foot people before we camel Hunted j
him about a mile or two over the Mere Downs, but
could not get up to him. Drew Kilmington Common,
Hicks 's Park, and West End Wood, blank
Carried forward ....
15
4
13
-3
0)
(U
^
h
M
5J
••
2
16
6 (
( 59 )
Broug-ht fonvard . .
Friday, December 4th, 1829.
Met at Inwood; — found immediately, but owing"
to the horsemen riding after the Fox, &c.. we made
a bad start, g-iving" the Fox too much law. on a bad-
scenting- day : we hunted him. however, on to Stowel
and Charlton, skirting- Cherton Wood, and on to
Cheriton and Latiford, crossing the road for the vale
near Wincantou, losing- him under Horsing-ton, — pro-
bably in some of the drains there, after a g-jod hunting-
run of one hour and forty minutes
Tuesday, December 8th.
About one hundred and fifty horse met us at Stock
Honse, where -we found Jive or six Foxes in the Covers
immediately, and g-ot away, in about an hour, with a
Fox close bfore us, to the river towards Rooksmoor, which
'\Te skirted for Hazelbury Common, and across the river
by Hazelbury Mill for the Pulham Commons, and away
at the toj) of their speed for Glanville's Woottoa
Common, running the Fox, all but in view, into Mr.
W'arry s Plantation, where we killed him after a bril-
liant run of fifty minutes from the Covers edg-e
Friday, December 11th.
It being- a hard frost, we conld not throw off 'till
half past one; getting upon the line of a disturbed Fox
at Sandford, tee hnnted up to him at Trent Hollow.
going awav very quick with him to Coombe Farm, nejirly
to the Sherborne road, and thence to Xether Compton,
ichere tee changed when on killing terms, going away
across the vale to Rimpton. where we stopped the
Hounds when nearly dark, twenty-five minutes before
five
Friday, December loth.
A large Field met us at Bitcombe Wood, but it
beino" a dense fog , we separated under Alfred's Tower.
Carried forward. . . .
16
6
^'
^
.«
s ,
' "^
t:
i
!
1
1
17
6
( '30 )
Brought forward. . . .
in order to g-o home, having* drawn Hicks's Park and
West End Wood, -with the heel of a lively drag from
the Earths. As we were going along above Brewham,
we crossed the line of a Fox that had slipped away from
us, and after a good run of one hour and twenty minutes,
we ran him to Earth at Cockroad, dead beat, and
close before the Hounds
Friday, December 18th, 1829.
A long frost now set in !
Friday, January 29th, 1830.
Met at King Stag Bridge, and hard as the ground
was for the horses, we went to Rooksmoor Coppice ; —
finding a brace of Foxes immediately, and going away
with the dog Fox, and with a tolerably good scent to
Deadmoor, ajid thence to Fifehead, where the sharp
south-easterly breeze turned him for Hazelbury, the
Hounds pressing him across the vale to Humber Wood,
and towards Canning's Court for Shortwood, where the
Hounds got up to him, and in fifty-five minutes, when
killing, ran him to a shallow Earth in the bank's side,
in Mr. Farquharson's Country. As a litter had once
been bred here, the Hounds were sent home : and as
the foot people threatened to dig and kill him, (and as
he could he touched with a hazle rod) he was drawn in
three minutes, ear-marked, and let safely go, dead beat,
into *Shortwood.
Tuesday, February 2nd.
Frost and Snow again set in
Thursday, February 9th.
Met at Bradley Great Wood ; found immediately,
and in two hours and a quarter, without a check, killed
a very old dog Fox near Longleat, in superior style. . .
*This Fox was found by tlie Blackmoor Vale Hounds on the
fourteenth of January, 1831, in one of Mr. Yeatman's Covers, and
killed, after a long run of two hours and fifty minutes.
Carried forward. . . .
17
w
19
( 61 ) .
Broug-ht forward ....
Thursday, February 11th, 1830.
Met at Coombe Farm ; — found in Holway Brake,
and killed under the hill in a remarkable manner, the
leading" Hound throwing* himself^yVeere or sixteen feet
down the hill (in view) before the fox, and catch-
ing^ him as he turned ! Found a brace in Corton Wood,
and after a sharp burst with the dog- Fox, ran to Earth
at Sigwells, near Compton Pauncefoot
Saturday, February 13th,
Found our Fox (g^etting* on a disturbed scent,
and hunting' up to him beautifully) at Yarling"ton;
g"oing away at his brush to Wolston, and from the Earth
at Wolston Coppice, in view, to Compton Wood, killing
him in forty-five minutes in the court-yard at Compton
Castle. Found a second in Elscombe Wood; running-
at the top of our speed to Yarling-tou and Wolston,
nearly to Cadbury, and across the vale to Galhampton,
where they had a momentary check, and on to Hadspen,
and through the Covers there to Shepton Montague,
and to the top of Bratton Hill ; — the Hounds here got
upon the heel of a second Fox that slipped away
from Mr. Hobhouse's Cover at Shepton Montag-ue, and
were taken home after a very g-ood run of one hour and
twenty-five minutes
Tuesday, February 16th.
Found a brace of Foxes in Pen Forest; — changing
from one to the other for an hour and half; at leng-th we
got on the line of the dog Fox, throug-h Cockroad
and Pen Forest, and away to Charlton Musgrove, where
the Pack g-ot np to him, ?-unning him in vieio more
than a mile across the vale, forcing- him up the hill by
Alfred's Tower, and throug-h King's Wood, to Brew-
ham Wood, AND UP THE ROOF OF THE FARM
HOUSE THERE, killing in the garden, after a very
g-ood run of two hours and three quarters
Carried forward. . . .
19
I
22
( 62 )
Brought forward . . . .
Friday, February 19th, 1830.
A very larg-e Field met us at Henstridg-e Ash Inn,
wind north-west, and a very heavy snow-storm falling
for several hours. Found immediately in Inwood; — going
away with an execrable scent to Stalbridge Park, and
by Stalbridge Weston to Plumley Wood, and across
the vale to Purse Caundle, and by Dole's Coppice to
Stalbridge Park, and again to Inwood, where the Hounds
got upon rather better terms, running him a little
quicker up-tvind to Temple Coombe Wood, where the
Hounds certainly changed, coming back with a staler
scent to Caundle Brake, the Fox being hallooed half
an hour before us; hitting him into Frith Wood, and
on towards Plumley, where we were beat out of scent,
after a run of three hours and three quarters, over a
very extensive tract of country
Tuesday, February 23rd.
A large Field met at Stock House; — finding two
brace of Foxes in a very few minutes: the Hounds
were unluckily not got away to any one of the three
Foxes that fled, and killed in Cover in forty minutes.
Found a second at Rooksmoor, which ran in Cover about
fifty minutes, and as it appeared to be a Vixen, the
Hounds were stopped and walked home
Thursday, February 25th.
A good Field and a select one met us at Stalbridge
Park; — after drawing Thornhill Coppice, &c., blank,
the Hounds were taken to Caundle Brake, and unken-
neled a brace of Foxes immediately, (five couple and
half going away with one to the Stalbridge Park Wall,
where they met with atired Fox which Mr. Farquharson's
Hounds had brought from Butterwick, running him in\
view back towards Plumley Wood, joining with Mr.
Farquharson's Hounds and killing in Frith Wood) the
Carried forward ....
«
. ( 63 )
Brought forward ....
body of the Blackmoor Vale Hounds g'oing' away at the
top of their speed towards Inwood, which our Fox skirt-
ed, and on to the Temple Coombe Woods, and throug-h
them to Yeanston, crossing the turnpike there for the
great vale, which they traversed at a tremendous pace
towards Temple Coombe, and on to Horsington and
Cheriton, and nearly to Latiford, leaving" Blackford a
little to the left, and into Elseombe Wood, and through
it to Yarlington, by Lilly Wood, and up the hill to
Bratton, where they ran him into a cyder house and
killed, after as fine and severe a run of two hours and
twenty-five minutes (over at least eighteen miles of
ground,) as was ever seen in this country
Saturday, February 27th, 1830.
Found a brace of Foxes at Nether Compton ;
ran the dog thirty-five minutes very sharp, and token
killing. Earthed him near the House. Found a second
at Pointington ; — ran him very quick for about fifteen
minutes, when the Hounds were disgracefully over-
rode, and a long check ensued ; we hit him ag-ain,
however, and hunted him for three miles more over the
fallows in Sherborne Field, when we gave him up in
disgust and went home
Tuesday, March 2nd.
A good Field met us at Stourton Inn ; drew Deverell
Longwood, blank ; finding in Penny's Wood, the Hounds
carrying him through the Great Bradley Wood in very
good style, and over Horsingsham Hill (for Bitcombe,)
where he unluckily went to Earth, after a good fifty
minutes, close before the Hounds
Friday, February 5th.
Met at Tenant's Wood ; — finding a very old Fox
in Cherton Wood, and killing in Charlton Wood in
Carried forward ....
23
^3
ID
pa
24 I 10
L_64^
Broug-ht forward ....
twenty-five minutes. Found a second in Cherton Wood;
going'away at his brush to Charlton Wood, and on to
Tenant's Wood, and nearly to Compton Wood, where we
headed the Hounds and stopped them, out of respect
to our departed friend, Mr. Hunt, who was lying- dead
at the Castle. Found a brace more at Inwood; — g^oing-
away at the best pace to East Hill, and along; the
terrace there to Henstridge Bowden, and thence to the
Temple Coombe Woods, and throug-h them to the vale
under Horsington, where the Fox was coursed by
tivo pointers, and lost, after a very g-ood run of fifty-
five minutes.
Tuesday, March 9th.
Met at Pennard House ; drawing- the Plantations
there, and the Covers at Pylle, blank ; Avalking- the
Hounds on to Cogley Wood, which we reached at half
past one, finding- a brace of Foxes immediately ; g"oing-
away on tolerably g-ood terms to Moor Wood, and over
the hill throug-h Redlynch Park, and throug-h it across
the vale to Bratton, and on to Wadham's Down, where
the Hounds got up to their Fox (three couple, with the
huntsman running their Fox to a quarry near Wincanton,
and) seventeen couple and the whipper-in running- the
hunted Fox, in a brilliant burst, to a drain, m vieiv,
close to Colonel Strangeways's House, near Godmanstone
Wood, bolting and killing him after a very good run
of two hours and ten minutes
Saturday, March 13th.
Met at Pointington Ridge at nine o'clock ; — find-
ing immediately in Mr. Loder's Gorse, and in a sharp
burst of thirty-five minutes, X-«7?^/j_9' a two-year-old dog*
Fox. Found a second in Trent Hollow, going away at
his brush, and in forty minutes killing a one-year-old
dog Fox on the Earths at Nether Compton
Carried forward. ....
24
W
10
28
11
(65 )
Broug-ht forward. . . .
Tuesday, March 16th, 1830.
Met at Bitcombe Wood, near Wanstrow ; — find-
ing- a brace of Foxes in Postlebury Wood (of 200 acres)
and going aAvay immediately with a very bad scent
indeed ( the wind north-west, with hail-storms
blowing- up ) to Lord Cork's, and through Orrery
Wood, across the vale nearly to Longleat, where he
was coursed by a cur and lost, after a slow run of one
hour and twenty minutes. Drew Hicks's Park, and
West End Wood in our way back, but did not find, the
Foxes being- supposed to be stopped in, as we could
hall them
Friday, March 19th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met at Henstridg-e
Ash on this day, at ten o'clock, and after trying- the
Fifehead Mag-dalene Covers without finding-, were thrown
into the Cover of Inwood, in the parish of Henstridg-e,
at a quarter before 12, and in five minutes afterwards
precisely, were capped away close to the brush of the
most gallant Fox ever seen in the West of England ;
making their way at the top of their speed across Toomer
Farm to Stalbridge Park, which they traversed at a racing
pace, topping the park wall at the eastern extremity near
the town, and sinking the wind for the fine and exten-
sive vale beneath it, which they crossed at a pace
inconceivable by those who did not witness it ; going
over Henstridge Marsh, and nearly to Fifehead Mag-
dalene, crossing the turnpike at the Five-Bridges, and
dashing into the River Cale, in one compact and solid
body, and away for the wide enclosures of Nyland, and
thence, without a check or turn, to Kington Magna,
(the summit of whose hill they reached in forty-five
minutes, by the watch) ; pointing for West Stower,
but skirting that village, and getting down very nearly
to East Stower, and within two miles of Duncliif Wood,
Carried forward
28
J^
11
-73
28
11
(, cc )
Broug-ht forward ....
from which the g-allant Pack most evidently and fairly
turned liiiii, reaching- tlic Biio-ley Coppices, and under
them, at a kiU'ing pace, for thcparisiies of Cuckling-ton
and Silton, the south-eastern corners of which they
crossed for the parish of Gilliug-ham; here the Hounds
pressed him in splendid style, carry in^f the finest head
imag-inabie, and running- into him in open view, in one
hour and fifteen minutes, having covered a ^ood sixteen
miles of ground without a check of one minutes' duration.
This run was pronounced by many disting-uished mem-
bers of different hunts, who were present, to be decidedly
from the find to the finish, the most brilliant that they
had ever seen
Tuesday, March 2;3rd, 1830.
Met at King-weston Inn, and found a brace of
Foxes immediately ; running the Vixen for about an
hour, when the Hounds changed and settled themselves
to the dog- Fox, kiUing him haudsomeli/, after a very
trying- run throug-h the whole of the extensive Covers of
Coppley, Hiireott, &c., of three hours and 20 minutes.
Friday, March 26th.
Upwards of a hundred horse met the Blackmoor
Vale Hounds this day at Stock House ; the morning
apparently most inauspicious, with a very bright sun,
a blue and cloudless sky, ami the thermometer at nearly
80, due south, at ten o'clock; the iviiid, however, was
toest / The Hounds were thrown into the lower Cover,
where they g-ot upon the drag immediately, and walked
up to their Fox in beautiful style, crossing- the road,
for Stock Wood, and across the Park for the Plantations
near the river, making for the Caundle Holts, from
whence he was headed by a shepherd and his dog-, turn-
ing- towards the Sherborne road, and over it to the
Hohvell Grounds, and away for Holwell Common,
Carried forward ....
28
W
11
^3
30 11
( 67 ) .
lirought forward . .
Avhere the Hounds beg-an to run for liiin in earnest, the
leading- riders seeing- him close before them at Mr.
Warry's Plantation, and over Newland Common at a
racing pace, and up the hill to Wootton Wood, and
nearly to Woodfalls at the back of Pievel's Inn, turning
close with him under the Coppice, near the old Grange
House, in Mr. Farquharson's Country, running- him to a
Gate Trip under Castle Hill, from whence he was
SAFELY LET GO, after a g-ood run of one hour and
thirty-five minutes
Tuesday, March 30th, 1830.
A lar^e Field met us at Bidcombe Down, near
Bradley ; the Fox, however, which we had intended to
draw for, was disturbed by the foot people half an
hour before we came ! We then drew^br four hours,
without finding, although unfortunately, a couple of
Hounds slipped away (from those large Covers) with
a Fox, and ran him by themselves, nearly to Warmin-
ster!
Friday, April 2nd.
Met in a very heavy and cold south-easterly rain
at Sparkford Inn; — drawing- Annis Hill Gorse and
Sparkford Wood, without finding, a Fox having- been
seen the day before. Found a vixen Fox on our return
at 25 minutes after two P. M., at Compton, in Hicknell
Plantation, running our Fox with an execrable scent
nearly to Tenant's Wood, when we gave it up, and
took the Hounds home, the rain falling- in torrents
Tuesday, April 6th; — Did not hunt
Friday, April 9th; Did not hunt
Tuesday, April 13th.
Found a brace in Batcombe Wood ; — going- away
with a moderate scent (the wind at west, and rather
stormy) through Weston Town Wood, by the villag-e
Carried forward. . . .
30
W
11
rt
H
31 I 11
( 68 )
Brought forward ....
of Wanstrow, to Ashara Wood, and over the Rocks and
Earths of this extensive Cover, towards Mells Park, the
Hounds pressing- him at this point so severely that he
turned for Norwood, crossing* the turnpike close to Mr.
Pag-et's house, for the fine vale near Monk Wood, ivhere
the Hounds let themselves out at full length in very fine
style indeed, hitting him into a corner of Monk AVood,
and away for South Hill Park, where they killed him,
after a very g'ood run of one hour and forty-five minutes.
Friday, April 16th, 1830.
Met at Pen Forest, and drew on through Stavor-
dale Wood, Brewham Forest, and Grove Wood, without
finding-, the Hounds, however, found a Fox at Hicks's
Park, g^oing away close at his brush to West End Wood,
and on to Whitham Park, where he unluckily went to
ground in fifteen minutes ! Drew on through the Gaspar
Woods, but could not find a second
Tuesday, April 20th.
Met at Stourton Inn; walking- the Hounds on to
Penny's Wood, near Bradley, where we found a brace
of Foxes immediately, and after three hours and twenty
minutes hard work, when killing the dog" Fox, he went
to Earth on Horsingsham Hill, from whence we dug- him,
late in the day
Friday, April 23rd.
Met at Wallbridge Gate; finding- a dog Fox of
the year in Thornhill Coppice, and in a very severe
))urst of forty minutes, killed him in the garden at
Thornhill House, within the walls. Finding a second,
near Rooksmoor, we went away with him through
Deadmoor Wood, to Cockroad Coppice, and across the
enclosures at Belchalwall at a pressing pace, and up
Bell Hill to Turnwood, where half the Pack (nine
Carried forward ....
31
11
0) -^^
W
33
12
I 69 )
Broiig-ht forward. . . .
couple) went away with another Fox to Hoiig-hton
AVood, the remainder g'oing across Turn wood Down, and
on to Bondsley, and Durweston Common, by Fillgrove,
to the river Stour, which the Pack crossed for Stour
Paine, where the ''ox was headed short back for Elcombe
Wood, and where we stopped the Hounds, with two or
three Foxes on foot, after a superior run of two hours
and fifty minutes, over thirteen or fourteen miles of
ground
Total. . , ,
33
W
1
12
12
END OF THE FOURTH SEASON.
^^Hiinted during the season 55 days.
Blank days 2
Found on 53 days.
Killed and Earthed, 46 Foxes.
( '^o )
THE
HUNTING JOURNAL
OF THE
BLACKMOOR VALE HOUNDS;
FOR 1830—1831.
Saturday, August 28th, 1830.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met for the first time
this season at Tenant's Wood, near Maperton, at eig-hl
o'clock, and found a g'ood Utter of Foxes ; running-
one hour and fifty-five minutes, when we g-ot away with
a young- dog- Fox, and killed in an orchard adjoining
Holton
Tuesday, Aug-ust 31st.
Met at the Coppley Woods at six, A. M., near
King-weston and Somerton ; — finding- a litter of Foxes,
and when on the point of killing one, were oblig-ed to
stop, on account of the corn standing' towards King-wes-
ton,— went back and recovered another of the Foxes,
running- in the whole/oMr hours, when we stopped, the
heat becoming- excessive,
Tuesday, September 7th.
Met at eig-ht o'clock, at Stourton Inn ; drawing-
Hicks's Park, blank ; walking- the Hounds on to the
Great Bradley Woods, where we found at eleven o'clock
a sing-le old Fox, which Ave ran for two hours with a
very middling- scent, when we stopped the Hounds, as
they were crossing- the Bath road for Long-leat, the
Earths in that direction being open, and the Hounds
having- twenty miles home
Carried forward. . . .
M
( ^t )
Broug-ht forward. . . .
Saturday, September llth, 1830.
Met at Over Corapton Lodg'e Gate ; — finding- a
litter close to the Mansion House, and in one hour and
ten minutes, killing a fine young* dog- Fox ; the tail
Hounds having- killed another
Tuesday, September 14th.
Met at Compton Castle at eight A. M. ; finding
a litter of Foxes, and after two hours and ten minutes
steady and g-ood running-, we got away with a young
dog Fox, after a short burst killing him on the Earth
at Sigwell, near Charlton Down. It being a bright
and hot day the Hounds were taken home
Saturday, September 18th.
The Hounds met on this day at Mudford Bridge at
eight o'clock ; — finding a litter of Foxes at Ashington
Wood, killing one in Cover ; when we were hallooed
away to the old Fox, which we ran for two hours in
a HEAVY RA.IN and with a catching scent towards
Brimpton, and nearly to Over Compton, where the
Hounds got vpon the heel of another Fox (that had
gone away, whilst we were killing our first Fox in that
direction) and were stopped
Tuesday, September 21st.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Stourton Inn, at e'ght o'clock, and were thrown into
Deverell Longwood at twenty-five minutes after nine;
finding immediately an old dog Fox, which the Hounds
caught a vieic of as he was crossing the common field;
climbing the down close to his brush, and racing him
across the open Mere Doivns at the top of their speed
in the finest style imaginable, turning him from his
point towards the water meadows, that lie near Bidcombe
Down, which he tried to reach, but the Pack close at his
heels, and occasionally in view of him, turned him
Carried forward ....
W
a
(_J2_)
Brought forward ....
again from this point, forcing- him towards Bradley
Knoll, and in the direction of the great Bradley Woods,
which Covers he tried to reach ; the gallant Pack,
however, were so close upon him, that he ■v^'as com-
pelled to seek the village of Maiden Bradley, the Hounds
and Fox crossing the road within a hundred yards
together, and away across the enclosures for Hor-
singshamHill, where the Hounds ran into him in view,
and killed^ after a run of fifty-five minutes without a
check, (unsurpassed by any run ever seen in that
country in the opinion of some distinguished old sports-
men who were present,) over nearly ten miles of ground.
Saturday, September 25th, 1830.
Met at Butleigh "Wood, near Kingweston, at eight
o'clock; after drawing two hours, w^e found a brace of
Foxes, or a brace and half, which the Hounds ran mer-
rily for nearly tlwee hours, when they were hallooed
away to a Fox that had been seen to cross the Park at
Kingweston tavo hours before !
Wednesday, September 29th.
Met at Compton Castle; — drawing the Covers
there without finding, as well as Tenant's Wood ;
finding, however, an old Fox in Charlton Wood, which
we hunted with a very bad scent over the fallows and
roads (and under a bright staring sun) to Compton
Wood, and by trotting the Hounds on, we hit him again
under the Earths at Sigwells, where we lost him, being
completclij beaten out of scent. The Hounds were
then taken to Pound Hill, near the Castle, where they
found a young Fox, which they ran one hour and a
quarter, and when close before them and dead beat, they
lost him amongst the buildings behind Compton Castle,
into one of which he had evidently crept
Carried forward ....
( T3 )
Brought forward ....
Saturday, October 2iid, 1830.
We met this day at ten o'clock, at Holton Street ; —
finding- a brace of Cubs in the Covers at Yarlington,
and in forty minutes very quick work, the Hounds drove
a young- dog* Fox into a barn there, from whence he
was bolted and ran into
Tuesday, October 5th.
Met at Stourton Inn, at ten o'clock; — finding* an old
Fox in Norwood, near Zeals, and running him with a
very indijferent scent (under a brig-ht sun, and the
wind north-east) to Deverell Lougwood, and away for
the Mere Downs, where he was headed, the Hounds
forcing him into the street and gardens of the town
of Mere ^ close at his brush ; in the confusion occasioned
by this sudden turn, &c., a long check ensued, the
Hounds, however, hunted him on, and got up to him
at Zeal's House, and worked him across the enclosures
as far as Silton, where they lost him among"st the roads
and fallows, after ag-oud hunting run of two hours and
half, nothing but a total want of scent saving him from
destruction
Friday, October 8th.
A good Field, graced by several carriages full of
ladies, &c., met us at Thornhill House, where we found,
through the liberal and generous patronage of William
Boucher, Esquire, a fine litter of Foxes immediately,
and in twenty minutes got away with a young dog Fox
and ran into him in view. The Hounds were capped
away immediately to an halloo across the Lydlinch River,
the old dog Fox having reached the common towards
Stock Wood ; he was, however, unluckily headed from
that point, the Hounds working him back to Thornhill
Coppice, and through it along the enclosures to Har-
grove, pointing for Bagber Coppice, where he was
Carried forward ....
W
IS
.a
( 74 )
Brought forward. . . .
headed again, crossing- Stalbridg-e Common for the
Coppice once more ; but, g-allantly endeavouring- to g-et
away, he crossed the river again, Avhere he was ag-ain
headed, and ran into in open view, after one hour and
five minutes severe and incessant running-
Tuesday, October 12th, 1830.
Met at Pen Forest ; — drawing- the whole of that
Cover, Cockroad, New Park, Stavordale, Brewham
Forest, and King's Wood, without a drag or touch of a
Fox ! Finding at twenty-five minutes before one o'clock
near West End Wood, running this solitary Fox for
three hours and half with an execrable scent and
stopping a little after four P. M., when nearly dark,
(with twenty miles home) by and with the consent of all
present
Frida}', October 15th.
Met at Stalbridge Park, which we drew, blank ; —
finding, however, a brace of Foxes in Caundle Brake,
running from thence to Frith Wood and back for two
hours, the hill being lined by carriages and groups of
horsemen, and the Foxes headed in all directions :
getting away at last, and after a sharp burst by Hen-
stridge Bowden, and over the corner of Milborne East
Hill, and Stowel, killing him in the open, near Charlton
Horethorne, in two hours and fifty minutes hot and hard
work
Monday, October 18th.
Met at Over Compton Lodge, wind south-east,
with a bright and hot sun over head; found a brace of
Foxes immediately, and after a sharp and short rally,
and when getting him away towards Potter's Lease, &c.,
the Hounds were hallooed away by the foot people to-
wards the Earths at Rotleigh, without any reason, and the
Fox was lost, which we were close to, when hallooed
Carried forward. ...
W
10
( T5 )
Broug-lit forward. ... ,10
away I Walking" the Hounds to Trent Hollow, we
found an old dog- Fox immediately, oroini]^ away at a
killing pace close to Jiis brush, and after a sharp hurst, W
running' him to Earth near Nether Compton, b}' great
perseverance (of two hours and ten minutes,) bolting
him, and after a second burst running- into him in the
middle of afalloio, before he could reach the Earths
at Coombe Farm
Friday, October 22nd.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds on this day met at
Stock House, and were shortly after walked down to
Rooksmoor, where we found a Fox of the yea,r imme-
diately ; — g'oing- away at the brush of our Fox across
the enclosures near Deadmoor, and over the corner of
Hazelbury Common for Wonston Hill, pointing- for
Shortwood, from whence the Pack fairly turned him,
running- into him in open view, and Ailling in a lively
burst of liocnty-jice minutes. The Hounds were then
walked back to Stock Wood, where two brace of Foxes
Were soon upon their legs, the ¥ack killinff arery large
young- dog in Cover
Tuesday, October 26th.
Met at Postlebury Wood, near Lord Cork's, which
Cover of "200 acres, and Bitcombe of 80 acres, we drew
without a touch ; — findinsT a sinpfle Fox at Batcorabe
Wood, at a quarter before three, running- him away to
Woolley Wood, pointing- for Cog-ley, from whence he
was headed, the Hounds pressing- him across the Weston
Vale nearly for Creech Hill, from whence the Pack
Cnearly in the saf}ie^cld, J tnvued him ag-ain for Bat-
combe Wood, where, from the neglig-ence of the Keeper
he went to Earth, the Hounds catching at him as he
went in, after one hour and a quarter very sharp running-,
Carried forward. ... 13
-3
( 76 )
Broug-ht forward ....
After dig-g-ing from four 'till twenty minutes
BEFORE SIX, the Hounds were taken their twenty
miles home, the Fox being- with difficulty got out, by
the aid of a friendly moon !
Friday, October 29th, 1830.
Met at Inwood ; — finding* a very old and g'allant dog"
Fox immediately, after three ineffectual attempts (being"
headed by a large and anxious Field) g-etting- away
on very g-ood terms to Toomer Farm, and under Frith
Wood, which they skirted, the Hounds pressed him at
the top of their speed through Purse Caundle to Hanover
Wood, and away for Flumley Wood, and New Lease
Coppice, and across the enclosures for the village of
Stourton Caundle, crossing^ the Caundle River for the
Plantations and Park adjoining Stock House, and leaving"
the main Covers to the left, making" their way over
Blackrow Common for the River Lyddon, at which point
the Pack beg"an to consider him as their own, running"
him at a killing pace by Rooksmoor, to Hazelbury Com-
mon, where the Pack divided ; one column of Hounds
running into the hunted Fox in mew, one field short
of Deadmoor Wood, and the other column of Hounds
running" their Fox to a drain under Wonston Hill, near
Mappowder, after a splendid run of tico hours and
fifty-jive minutes over a good tioenty miles of ground.
The dead Fox being" given to the Pack on the drain,
THE OTHER WAS SAVED, and bolted in security,
after the Pack was sent home
Friday, November 2nd.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Maiden
Bradley, and found their Fox, after drawing" for thirty
minutes in Penny's Wood, adjoining the great Bradley
Covers; — going away under Horsingsham Hill, for the
Marquis of Bath, and through his finely extensive
Carried forward ....
13
W
15
I n )
Broiig"ht forward ....
Covers for the Earths, on Rottonburrow Hill, but find-
ing- them well g"uarded, he came back, with the Hounds
close at his hrusli for Penny's Wood, where he
unluckily forced himself into an Earth (as usual
at this place!) Owing to the gross negligence of
the Earth stopper, after a run of two hours
Friday, November 5th, 1830.
A larg-e and select Field met the Blackmoor Yale
Hounds this day at Compton Castle, where we found
almost immediately; —going" away to the Earths at Sig--
wells, and over them by the village of Charlton to
Tenant's Wood, and through it for Charlton Wood, and
down the vale for Horsing"ton, hunting him with a mode-
rate scent, the whole extent of that fine Country under
Horsington, Temple Coombe, and Yeanston, where the
Pack turned their heads towards the village, topping*
the walls of which, they crossed the turnpike for
Temple Coombe North-side Wood, where they got up
to him, breaking" Cover close to his brush, making another
turn for the village of Horsing-ton, and away for
Stowel, getting" up to and killing him in Cherton
Wood, after a capital run of three hours and thirty-five
minutes
Tuesday, November 9th.
Met at Mudford Bridg-e ;_drawing" Ashing"ton Wood,
Rimpton Gulley, Trent Wood, and Nether Compton,
blank: finding" at Holway late in the day, and
killing a young" Fox on the Earth without a run
Friday, November 12th.
Met at Cog-ley Wood, where we found immediately,
and quickly forcing him to break Cover, with the
whole Pack, all but in view of liim, racing" him across
Redlynch Park, and away nearly to Round Hill, run-
Carried forward
W
H
17
( ^8 )
Brought forward , .
ning"into and killing him at an Hamlet, near Charlton
Musgrove, after a brilliant burst of fifty-five minutes
without a cheek. After a short draw, we found a very
old dog" Fox in the lower part of Cog-ley, near Pink
Wood, breaking- Cover close to his brush by Moor Wood,
across the vale nearly to Round Hill, pointing for Pen
Forest, but turning him towards Stavordale Wood, which
they approached at a tremendous pace, and through
which Wood and BreAvham Forest they made their way
to the Earths at King's Wood, which had been well and
effectually stopped ; at this point the Fox passed close
by Alfred's Tower and over the terrace for the Stoiirton
Grounds, and through tliem loitliout a turn for the
open Commons at Kilmington and Yarnfield, and away
to West End Wood, where the Hounds got up to him,
killing him in very fine style, after a superior run of
one hour and tiventy minutes., without a check !
Tuesday, November 16th, 1830.
Rain and hurricane tremendous. Met at Cadbury
Castle, but no one was present
Friday, November 19th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Stock House ; finding almost immediately, and after
being headed once or twice, as usual at tliis place, the
Fox was permitted to make his point, crossing the river
for Stourton Caundle, and away for Stalbridge Weston,
the Hounds working him, with a very bad scent, over the
roads and fallows that presented themselves at this part
of the chase, and across Frith Farm for the Stalbridge
Park Wall, under Avhich they hit him over Toomer Wall,
and away for Henstridge, leaving Inwood to the left, and
on to Temple Coombe, crossing the corner of Temple
Coonibe Wood for Stowel, where the Hounds got up to
him, and after a sharp and brilliant run of twenty
Carried forward. . . .
17
W
S3
19
( 79 )
Broug-ht forward ....
minutes killed Mm in a cyder house at a bamlet
called Dark Harbour, adjoining" the parish of Cheriton,
after a g-ood hunting- run of two hours and fifty-five
minutes
Friday, November 23rd, 1830.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Stourton Inn ; drawing- Norwood and Deverell Lon^-
wood, blank, but finding m a small patch of Cover on
the Mere Downs ; — g'oing- away all hut in vietv of their
Fox, and after a sharp and severe burst, killing him
in Deverell Long-wood in forty-five minutes. Drew Kil-
ming-ton Common and West End Wood, blank ; though
we had a drag- over the W^est End Earth
Friday, November 26th.
Met on this day at Elscombe Wood; — the wind at
south-east, with a cold blue haze above our head ; — found
a brace of Foxes immediately, and after a short burst,
ran the hunted Fox to a drain near the Cover ; in a few
minutes he was bolted, and after two hours and three
quarters, during- which he merely ran a ring- of a few
miles, he was killed near Wolston on the hill
Tuesday, November 30th.
Met at Cad bury Castle; drawing- the Plantation
there and Sparkford Wood, blank; the Hounds were
then taken on to Annis Hill, where they found a brace
and half of Foxes; g'oing- away with one nearly to
Ilchester, across the vale, and running- him to a drain
in forty minutes near Hazelgrove House ; whilst at-
tempting- to dig him the Hounds were hallooed away to
another that had been viewed on his foil, dead beat,
which they ran in and killed
Friday, December 3rd.
Met at Leig-h Common, near Wincanton; drawing
Carried forward ....
19
«
23 3
. (_80J
Broiig-ht forward ....
Pen Forest and Cockroad, without a touch : in the
Gorse near Stavordale, however, the Hounds challeng-ed
on the Avalk of a Fox that had evidently slipped away
half an hour before us, hunting- him very beautifully
throug-h Stavordale AVood, Brewham Forest, King's
Wood, and Grove Wood, and away to Hicks's Park,
tchcre they got vp to Mm, and ran him forty minutes
close to his brush, when he made his point through
Stavordale for Pen Forest, and over the enclosures of
Penselwood, to Gaspar Common, and through the
Stourton Grounds, (the Hounds close at his heels) and
over the terrace for West End Wood, where he unluckily
found an Earth open and went to ground, after a very
severe run of three hours and twenty minutes ; tico only
being up when the horn was blown, the remainder of
the Field having- been lost in the fog-!
Tuesday, December 7th, 1830.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Coppley
or the Kingweston Woods, the wind at south-east,
with a heavy and driving rain Avorking up ; — finding
and getting him out of these extensive Woods almost
immediately, and after a sharp burst (the scent in the
open being good) ran him to a drain in King-weston
Park in thirty minutes, the Hounds close at his brush !
Leaving the AVhipper-in to dig him, we went back and
found a second in the extreme part of the Cover near
Butleigh Wood, which we ran for two hours and ten
minutes, the scent getting icorscvkS, the rain increased,
stopping the Hounds at three P. M. , with the consent
of all present, being- unable at length barely to mark
his line
Friday December 10th.
Met on this day at Coombe Farm; finding in the
Gorse there immediately, running him to the Earths at
Carried forward ....
23
-3
w
1^
23
( 81 )
Broug-ht forward ....
Rotleigh, near Nether Compton, and across the Turn-
pike by the Half-way House, to the Plantation near
Compton Lodg-e, and across the Park for the Earths
near Compton House, but finding- them well stopped,
he made away for Wyke Park, where he went to Earth,
dead heat, at the end of one hour and twenty minutes :
the neg-lig-ejice of the Bradford Earth-stopper alone
saving him
Tuesday, December 14th, 1830.
The Blackraoor Vale Hounds met this day at Postle-
bury Wood, but the frost being- very hard, they were
walked home ag-ain, by the consent and advice of all
present
Friday, December 17th.
Met at Cheriton Wood, in a very heavy fog-, with
frost. The Hounds arriving- late in consequence, we
found that the sportsmen who had been waiting- some
time, had disturbed a brace of Foxes, by talking, and
by smoA'ing cigars close to the Cover's edg-e!! The
Hounds hit heavily on the disturbed scent of these Foxes,
but could not find afterwards.
Tuesday, December 21st.
A large and select Field met us this day on Bidcombe
Down. The frost being- very hard on the Dowij,
they were walked down to Penny's Wood, Avhere they
found immediately, and after a sharp and short turn in
Bradley Wood, went away (with a bad scent out of
Cover) to Horsingsham Hill, and throug-h Bradley Park
for Bidcombe, and over the Down to the main Earth
near Long Deverell, where we suppose he went to
Earth, as the Earths were unluckily open, thoug-h
the Hounds, from the total want of scent, did not, or
could not, mark him
Carried forward. . . .
- -
23
W
23
( 82 )
Brought forward. . . .
Friday, Decemher 24th , 1830 — Hard frost
Tuesday, December 28th — Hard frost
Friday, December 31st.'
Met at Stalbridg-e Park;— walking the Hounds on
to Frith Wood, where we found immediately, after
two rings in Cover, going away close to his brush for
Toomer, and over the enclosures into the village of
Henstridge, where the Fox was headed, coming back
at a pressing pace to Caundle Brake, and on to Purse
Caundle and Hanover Wood, and along Milborne Moor
to Goathill, and through Lord Digby's Park to Haydon ,
and under Ashcombe Wood, to the Caundle Holts,
where the Hounds got up to him and killed after a very
good run of two hours and thirty-five minutes
Tuesday, January 4th. 1831.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Compton
Castle, where they were fortunate in finding immediately,
tlie wind south-east, cold and piercing, and the frost
by no means out of the ground; with a very moderate
scent therefore, they went away with him over the
Down by Sigwells to the Earths at this place, which he
tried, and sunk the hill for the valley near Cadbury
Castle, where he was headed, and returned to Compfon
Wood, ivhere the Hounds got up to him, forcing him
again to take the open, and to try the Earths a second
time ; but finding them effectually stopped, he made
his way to Sutton, and over the very steep hill there, for
Corton, and on for the fine (Somerset) vale leading to
Rimpton, where the scent mended, the Pack having left
the cold sandy soil of the hills for the rich and fertile
pastures of this extensive vale ; the frost, also, being
nearly subdued by the improved temperature which
began to prevail. From Rimpton the Hounds bent their
heads towards Marston, and through that parish to
Carried forward. ...
23
W
24
( 83 )
Broug-ht forward. • . .
Queen Camel, crossing" the river to Ilazelgrove, where
they g"ot up to him, and g'oing' away across the fine
enclosures at this place for North Barrow, pointing" lor
Babcary, ran into this old and gallant Fox m open view,
after a very superior run of three hours and a quarter,
having" covered at least twenty miles of ground
Friday, January 7th, 1831.
Met this day at Horwood Well ; — walking- the Hounds
on to Mr. Phelips's Plantation at Cucklingtou, where
we found immediately, going" away at a moderate pace
(the frost being- still severe and the ground hard on the
hills, &e.,) to Stoke Trister, and across Leigh Common
to Charlton Musg-rove, where we ran our Fox to a drain;
bolting and running him to Bayford and over Stoke
Conygar to Cucklington, where we saw our Fox at the
end of one hour and ten minutes, dead beat, enter a
hedge close before us ; at this moment the Hounds were
hallooed on to a fresh Fox, going away at a tremendous
pace (the frost having nearly disappeared) for Stoke
Trister, and over Leigh Common, where the Fox was
viewed close before the Hounds — to Charlton Musgrove
and on to Stavordale Wood, and through it to King's
Wood under Alfred's Tower, and over the Commons to
Yarnfield and Kilming-ton, pointing for Bradley, (where
the Fox was headed by a pai-ty of shooters,) turning his
head for Grove Wood, and through it to Hicks's Park
and on to West End AVood, where the Hounds unluckily
changed, and were stopped, after a brilliant run of one
hour and thirty-five minutes. .
Tuesday, January 11th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Pos-
tlebury Wood, where they found immediately ; going
away close to the brush of the dog Fox to Marston, the
Carried forward.
24
W
rt
H
25
( 84 )
Brought forward . .
seat of the Earl of Cork, and across the rale to Nunney,
where they ran their Fox to a drain at the end of one
hour and five minutes, bolting^ and killing him on the
drain
Friday, January 14th, 1831.
A large Field met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds this
day at Stock House, from whence we walked the Hounds
to Rooksmoor, where a brace and half of Foxes were
soon found, the Hounds going- away with one to Dead-
moor, and over Hazelbury Common to Humber Wood
and Shortwood, at the edge of which Cover we were
brought to a check, the Fox having been evidently cour-
sed by a sheep dog : from this place we got upon him
again, near Canning Court Dairy House, hunting him
on had terms io the King Stag Inn, where we heard
that he had been seen crossing the river for Stock Wood;
to this place the Hounds were trotted on, where they
got up to him and killed, after two hours and fifty
minutes very hard work. Upon taking up the head of
this very old dog Fox, it was discovered that he tvas
the same Fox which we found in Rooksmoor on the
twenty-ninth of January, 1830, running him to a
rabbit's hole in Shortwood on that day, in one hour and
forty minutes, ear-marking and letting him go
Tuesday, January, 18th.
Found this day in Annis Hill Gorse; — going away
close to his brush, and maintaining a very sharp burst
indeed for forty minutes, when he was unfortunately cour-
sed by a cur, which brought us to hunting terms, and we
eventually lost him near Kingsdon, pointing for the
Kingweston Woods, the Hounds appearing to mark
him, though not firmly, at some drains near a farm
house
Carried forward ....
25
( 85 )
Brought forward ....
Friday, January 21st, 1831.
We found this day a very g-allant Fox at Inwood; —
breaking- Cover close to his brush for Yeanston, but
being- headed there, he made his point for Henstridg-e Bow-
den and on to Temple Coonibe "Wood, and through it with-
out a turn, and at a pressing- pace for Stowel Hill, where
he was coursed by a sheep do^, which as usual, broug-ht
us to hunting" terras; the Hounds, however, by a forward
cast, were got upon his line ag-ain at Tenant's Wood, and
were hitting- him well into Compton Wood, when they
were maliciously hallooed back to Tenant's Wood by
the young- Messrs. B. , of Charlton, who secreted
themselves as the Field approached
Tuesday, January 25th Frost
Friday, January 29th Frost
Tuesday, February 1st Frost with Snow
Saturday, February 5th Frost
Tuesday, February 8th
Met at Compton Castle; — drawing- those Covers,
blank. Taking^ the Hounds on to Elscombe Wood, they
found immediately, running- him with a very bad scent
(as the frost was g-oing off) towards Hoi ton, and through
the Yarlington Covers, for fifty minutes ; when we were
beaten out of scent, and lost him in the road opposite
Yarlington Lodg-e
Friday, February llth.
A larg-e Field met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds this
day at Stock House. At eleven o'clock we drew the
Covers south of the road and found a leash of Foxes,
^oing- away at a pressing pace to the river, and
thence to Rooksmoor and Deadmoor, and on to
Sturminster Common, (which the Hounds reached in
thirty-one minutes!) where the Fox was coursed by two
Carried forward ....
27
W
27
( 86 )
Broiig"ht forward ....
curs, hut after great perseverance ice eventually got
up to him, and killed in the open between Thornhill
House and Stalbridg^e Common, in two hours and a
quarter
Friday, February 15th, 1831.
Met this day at Maiden Bradley ; — finding imme-
diately in Penny's Wood, and in forty minutes as we
were killing and tlie Hounds in vieto, the Fox un-
luckily went to Earth near Long-leat. Found a second
in Bradley Wood, going- away with him on killing
terms to Horsingsham Hill, and nearly to Bradley
Knoll, where he also went to Earth, all but in view, in
thirty-five minutes !
Friday, February 18th.
Met at Stalbridge Park ; finding in Frith Wood,
and going away, all but in view, to Caundle Brake,
and over Toomer Farm to the verge of Inwood, crossing
the Yeanston road and down the vale under Henstridge,
towards the River Cale, where the Hounds ran up to
their Fox and killed in the open in forty minutes.
Found a second in Caundle Brake;^ — running him to
Frith Wood, and across the enclosures towards Stal-
bridge Weston to Plumley Wood, and through it for
the Caundle Holts, icliere toe changed to a brace of
fresh Foxes after a severe run of two hours, and went
home late in the evening ;
Tuesday, February 22nd.
Met at Stourton Inn ; — drawing Norwood, Deverell
Longwood, and the dells on the Mere Downs, blank;
our Fox having been disturbed by some women picking
wood, before we arrived. Drew Bradley and Penny's
Wood, blank, also
Carried forward ....
27
^h4
29
i 8T )
Broug-ht forward ....
Saturday, February 26th, 1831.
Met this day at Pointington Ridg-e, with a driving"
rain, and wind blowing* very hard from the north-west ; —
drawing' the Gorse between Coombe Farm and Trent we
found a g-allant dog" Fox immediately, g'oing* away on
pretty g"ood terms over the Earths at Coombe Farm to
Sherborne Field, and across the water meadows at Oborne
by Crackmoor to Sherborne Park, and over the Earths
at Hanover to Plumley and by the Caundle Holts near-
ly to the river, bordering" the Plantations adjoining"
Stock House; where he was headed: turning" a little
upward over the fallows by Mr. Digby's Brake for
the enclosures near Hoi well, and crossing" the river
near Holwell Church, where the Pack ran into him
in the open near Holwell Common in two hours and
two minutes, over fifteen miles of ground
Friday, March 1st.
Met this day at Leigh Common ; — finding" a brace
of Foxes in that disting-uished and hig-hly respected
sportsman's Plantations, Mr. W. Phelips, at Cuck-
lington, and in a brilliant burst of forty minutes, killing
a fine dog- Fox in the open close to Wyke House. After
drawiiig" 'till half-past two, we found a second in King's
Wood, near Alfred's Tower, running" one to Earth and
g"etling" away with the other throng"h the whole line of
the Stourton Covers to Pen Forest, and crossing; the
Wincanton Road to Stoke Trister, where this gallant
Fox made his way to the Plantation at Cucklington and
throug"h it without a turn by Shanks House to Buckhorn
Weston, and down the fine vale to Rodgrove Coppice,
and to the River Cale, which he crossed ; traversing" the
whole extent of the vale to Temple Coombe, and Hor-
singtou Marsh, Yeauston, and nearly to the villag"e of
Henstridg"e ; turning his head direct for the Cover of
Inwood, where we viewed him, dead beat, close before
the Hounds, when they unluckily changed to afresh
Carried forward .
29
^
30
( 88 )
Broug-ht forward ....
Fox^ and Avere with difficulty stopped, lohennearly
dark, between Caundle Brake and Milborne East Hill,
having- covered a g-ood twenty miles of ground in this
brilliant and extraordinary run
Saturday, March 5th, 1831.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day at
Batcombe Wood, near Bruton, the wind south-west, with
a driving" rain ; — finding immediately, they went away
in a few minutes, on only middling* terms, across the
enclosure by Batcombe Lodge, and on to Asham Wood
(of 600 acres,) across the corner of which they made
direct for the alpine heights of Mendip, hunting their
Fox over the heaths and furzes of that wild and romantic
region to a place called Lye, Avhere the Fox was ap-
parently lost in a heavy fog and rain, having been
headed by some furze-cutters on the moor. By taking
the Hounds on about two miles, he was recovered, in a
very masterly manner, in Lye Wood, the Pack racing
him through the fine Covers and Park of Colonel Hor-
ner, at Mells, and on to Vallis and little Elm, near
Frome, where a most curious sight presented itself: —
In the rocky gorge of the valley, at the base of a tree
onerhanging the mountain torrent, the Hounds toere
at bay, and on the top of the tree, twenty feet above
the ground in a mass of ivy, the Fox was seen at
perch ; from whence he made his leap into the stream
beloic, a favourite Hound and the Fox sinking to the
bottom together i Thus ended a run of four hours and
forty-five minutes, over every variety of ground — a good
twenty-five miles having been covered in this curious
and extraordinary chase, ivhich extended through
thirteen parishes /
Wednesday, March 9th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Stock
Carried forward ....
( 89 )
Brought forward . .
House, where a larg-e and select Field were assembled.
They found immediately in Stock Wood, going- away (after
being headed back in Cover as usual,) to Rowden Mill,
and over the river to Bishop's Caundle, and within a few
fields of Caundle Wood, where the Fox was again headed,
the Hounds running him toStourton Caundle and killing
him in one hour and twenty minutes. The Hounds were
then taken to the south Cover under the Keeper's Lodge,
where a brace and half of Foxes were soon upon their
legs, and after running in Cover, changing and heading
back for a considerable time, the Hounds got away with
one to Rodmoor, and nearly to Holwell Borough, killing
him near Woodbridge, in one hour and forty minutes.. .
Saturday, March 12th, 1831.
On this day we drew Sparkford Wood, Annis Hill,
Yarlington, and Elscombe Wood, blank, in a very
heavy rain
Tuesday, March 15th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Pos-
tlebury Wood ; — finding a short running vixen Fox in
this extensive Cover, with the wind at south-west, wnfZer
a very heavy rain ; running her for nearly two hours,
with an execrable scent, when the Hounds were stopped,
at the request of the whole Field
Friday, March 18th.
Met at Inwood, where we found immediately ;
going away at a killing pace to Temple Coombe W^ood,
and to Cherton Lower Wood, and on to Maperton,
making for Elscombe Wood, from whence the Hounds
fairly turned him, running him all but in view into a
drain, leading under a house at Cheriton, in a brilliant
burst of one hour and five minutes*
Carried forward.
32
W
10
rt
^
34 11
m
( 90 )
Tuesdav, March 22;ul, 1831.
Broil g-ht forward ,
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met at Charlton Hore-
thcrne on Tuesday the twenty-second of March, and
Avere walked on to the celebrated Gorse Cover of Caundle
Brake, where they found their Fox immediately, going-
away close to his brush throiig-h Frith Wood to Plumley
Wood, and on to Ashcombe Wood, Haydon, and Goat-
hill, making their way throug-h Sherborne Park, to
Honeycombe Wood, crossing" the corner of it by Lil-
lington, through Thornford to Beerhacket, sinking' the
hill at Knig-hton for Frankham Farm, within a few
fields of Clifton Wood, pressing- him at a killing pace
along" the fine enclosures of the Yetminster Vale to
ilvnie, and through the Covers of the Earl of Ilchester at
Melbury to Clarkham, in the Parish of Halstock, where
they E"ot up to him ; traversing" the open Commons and
enclosures at East Chelbnrough at a racing pace nearly
to Corscombe, from whence the Pack fairly turned him
to West Chelborough, where this g-allant Fox reached
his Earth in safety afeic yards heforethe Honnds, after
a run of three hours and forty-five minutes, over twenty-
five miles of g"round and upwards, through fourteen
parishes !
Friday, March 25th.
Mkt this day at the Green Man Inn, at Pulham ; —
finding" immediately in Mr. Yeatman's Cover at Rooks-
moor, and after a very severe burst of forty minutes
by Deadmoor and Fifehead to Haydon, running into
cur Fox in the open, killing in view in Holbrook Green.
AVhilst the Hounds were eating" this Fox, we heard
that another had been seen thirty minutes before^
making" his way to L^dlinch: after hunting" him on
bad terms as far as the river, we trotted the Hounds on
and hit him into the Stock Woods, (where we disturbed
Carried forward. . . .
34
12
iJlJ
Ijroiig-ilt foi'wai (1 ....
and stopped from a fres!i Fox) fi'oing thioug-'a them
without a turn over the Caundle River to Thornhill,
and losing" our Fox at last anioiig">t the houses at Stal-
bridg'e, having' never been able to get up to him
Monday, March 28th, 1831.
Met at Coombe Farm, ■with a brig-ht sun over head,
the wind at north-east and the heat intense! After
drawing- the Gorse near Compton, and finding- that the
F©x had been disturbed bj the foot people, we wafued
the Hounds on to Ashing-ton Wood, where v/e found a
short running- vixen Fox, which we ran in a wide rin^T
for one hour and a quarter with a 'tno>it execrable
scent ^ finally coming- to a stand-still, even in the
3IRADOWS near Yeovil Bridge!
Thursday March 31st.
Met at Thorahill Obelisk; — finding- a vixen Fox
in Thornhill Coppice. Drew the adjacent Covers till
four o'clock Avithout finding', having- ran through and
disturbed them on the Friday preceding
Monday, April 4th.
Found a, brace of Foxes in Hieks's Park, under
West End Wood, near Brewham Common; — g"oing- away
with the dog- at a tremendous pace, throug-h Brewh<xm
Forest and Stavordaie Wood to Leigh Common, where
the Fox was headed; pressing' him throug'h Pen Forest,
to the Stourton g-rounds, and JciUing him in brilliant
style in two hours and fifteen minutes, without a check,
near Brewham Common
Friday, March 8th.
Met at Charlton Down; — finding- in Compton W^ood,
g-oing- away immediately to Blackford, and over the
Earths at Wolston Coppice to Yarling-ton, and on to
Elscombe Wood, and down the vale to Redlyncb, where
Carried forward ....
34
l4
12
3fi I 12
( 92 )
Brought forward. . . .
the Fox was headed, coming- back throut^h VVadham's
Down, to Elscombe Wood, where we changed to a
disturbed Fox, stopping- the Hounds token nearly dark.
Tuesday, April 12th, 1831.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Bat-
combe Wood, which they drew, blank, but found in
Monk Wood, near Mendip; coming- away with him at
the top of their speed across the enclosures to Batcombe
Wood, and across the corner of it for Woolly Wood,
and by Henley Wood, skirting- the town of Bruton for
Cogley Wood, near Redlynch Park, where the Hounds
got up to and killed him in fifty minutes, without a
check
Saturday April 16th.
The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met on this day, for
the last thne, at Stoarton Inn; — finding their Fox on
Bidcombe Down; after a ring or two upon the hill, he
went away for the Marquis of Bath's Covers, but was
unluckily coursed by two cur dogs, and lost, there being
net a particle of scent on the Down. The Hounds
were then "walked down to the Bradley Lower Wood,
where they found immediately; running their Fox on
very good terms for forty minutes, but when killing, he
slipped into a small Earth, where he was left, at the
request of the Gentlemen who lo ere present
Total ....
36
W
12
37 13
Signed.,
JOHN CHANNING,
Huntsman to the Blackmoor Vale Hounds.
END OF THE FIFTH SEASON.
{"i^Hunted during the season 58 days.
Blank days 5
Found on 53 days.
Killed and Earthed, 50 Foxes.
GENERAL SUMMARY.
Killed and Earthed from the 20th of } tr. PnY^c
February to the 5th of April, 1826 ..) ^^xes.
Killed & Earthed during the 1st Season 44 Foxes.
Killed & Earthed during- the 2nd Season 48 Foxes.
Killed & Earthed during the 3rd Season 50 Foxes.
Killed & Earthed during the 4th Season 46 Foxes.
Killed & Earthed during the 5th Season 50 Foxes.
Total Foxes Killed and Earthed. . 248
^
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