To the Editor of the Hampshire Chronicle.
Splendid Run with the Hambledon Hounds,
SIR, —It is with much pleasure I now send you a short account of a most splendid run had with the above Fox-hounds on Friday, the 20th inst. The meet was at Up-Park Telegraph, on the downs of Lady Featherstonaugh, when a goodly array of about 100 well-mounted sportsmen as might be wished for put in an appearance, including about 50 red coats, graced with some of the fair sex, whose presence generally causes animation to some in the field.
The weather up to about twelve o’clock was hazy, which, however, favoured us by soon clearing off; the ground in good order, and the scent well laid. Williams’ Wood was tried, when immediately “Tally-ho, tally-ho,’’ was heard. All seemed anxious to get away. Reynard, after a few turns and a sharp run through Chillgrove to Fillis’ Wood, went to ground. We then tried West Dean cover, near Saddler’s Furze. The hounds had no sooner been thrown in than a fine old game fox was found, which immediately took to the open. At a terrific pace he made for Kill Devil Copse, which soon told on the fainthearted, and reduced the field to about fifty. Reynard here being hard-pressed, turned and made for Fillis’ Wood, when we had a check of two or three minutes, which men and horses seemed to enjoy. Reynard next headed round by Elsted Hills, and down by Harting. Here a splendid chase was to be seen—foxhounds and sportsmen all together. He then ran straight on to Up-Park. Here the pace severely told on the horses, and made the field beautifully less by reducing its members to about 25, who struggled manfully to be up at the death. However, reynard deceived them by taking fresh vigour, wheeled to the right straight off the downs hill, and away to Capt. Hugonin’s at a slashing pace, when more fain would-be sportsmen, being fairly done up, had to fall out, which no doubt they reluctantly did. However, away went some ten or twelve fearless horsemen at a slashing pace down the hills, then turned to the left a short distance along the public road, across several fields into a chalk lane (when more came to grief), then crossed some heavy fences into a ploughed field, and made for Nursted Copse, about I¼ mile from Petersfield, where poor reynard, a beautiful fine five-year-old game fox, was run into, after a slashing run of about five-and-twenty miles—time, about two hours and thirty minutes. We noticed among the dauntless few in at the death about five or six redcoats, including Capt. Wyndham and Capt. Paulett; and three local gentlemen, fearless horsemen, including Mr. Boyes of Petersfield, Mr. Dierden of Midhurst, together with a gentleman from Harting, whose name we regret not being able to learn.
We cannot conclude this inefficient report of this capital chase without giving our best thanks to Capt. Paulett, the Master, for the kind and courteous manner in which he received all present, as also to bear testimony the able manner in which his huntsman hunted this gallant pack; and when they next meet in the same neighbourhood, may your reporter be there to see.—From a Correspondent.