A Hundred Years Ago.
(FROM THE _SPORTING MAGAZINE_ OF 1806.)
WILTSHIRE HOUNDS.—Saturday, January 14th, a pack of foxhounds met at
Horkwood, and soon after throwing in unkennelled a fox in the first
stile. After trying the earths at Farmclose, Donhead, &c.—which had been
previously stopped—he crossed the Salisbury Road, through Charlton;
taking over Charlton fields he went for Melbury, over the heath, and
then gallantly faced the hills, leaving Ashmoor close on the right and
Ashcombe on the left; came into Cranbourne Chase; left Bussey Lodge far
on the left, came to Chettle Down; leaving Chettle on the right, running
nearly up to Handly, at which place he was headed; then running up to
Critchell he was run into, attempting to cross the river by Horton Farm.
This chase lasted an hour and thirty-five minutes, and the distance
could not be less than twenty-five miles. It is supposed to have been
the severest run ever remembered in this part of the country.