The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-03-11
BOROUGH MD FRIDAY, MARCEL II, 1898


/ The EngiShmcn. with many a round
cath and between 81 pS ot-such fragrant
mint inlep> rs an Eastern Sho ;larkey
/ alone knows how to concoct. were de-
clarlng that there was as much differ
encc between hunting the two species
as there as between a canvasback and
a barnyard duck. The upshot of it
was, according to an old tale printed
not many years attcrward, that the
captain of the good ship Monocacy. Il
I tobacco schooner owlicd by one of the
party. was instructed to bring back
with him on his next trip to Liverpool
eight pair of red foxes.
In due course of time the animals ar
rived, and were liberated along the
eastern shore of the Chesapeake. The
occasion was one of much mcrrimcnt,
entertainment and sport. The daugh-
ter of the country gentry rode on Il
billion behind her brother or cavalier
to the great ball which was given at
| Chcstertown in honor OF the occasion.
They fastened their scarlet cloth riding
habits over their white silk ball dresses,
and tied their hair, done in an amazing
fashion with a lace kcrchief, while their
skirts were arranged in such 4 manner
that they would not come in contact
with the horses tianks.
Everyone witnessed the festivities
from the ignorant country pumpkin, i'll
home-spun Jeans and white cotton
shirt. to the landed proprietor, with
his gouty foot done up in baudages.
There were races between the horses Of
MARYLAND and Virginia, and it is stated
that the horses from the latter colony
came Off Victorious The hour these
eight pair of red foxes were set loose
on the barnyards OF the Marylaud farm
ers may safely be reckoned the birth OF
genuine fox hunting in this country.
The way these foxes multiplied was
marvellous. bu. they did not emigrate
into Virginia until the winter of lI19-
| so. when all the waters of the State
were a sheet of ice So intense was
the cold that many native birds were
frozen TO death.
As the hunting element of Virginia
and her sister colonies believed with
the En@lishmpn on the porch in Talbot
county that the rel fox, as subject of
sport. was far superior to the gray,
they would cross the Potomac, prior
to the Revolution, and make the welkin
rno with the clear, crisp notes of the
buglc and the musical baying OF their
hounds The Young men and women
would come over on their blooded
steedS, and, together with as many
more from the old Tcrrapin State,
would form Il merry party on hunt
which would last sometimes rs long as
week.
When night would overtake them,
they were sure of Il simple but hearty
welcome at the nearest manor house,
where, no matter how many guests
there might he already, there was al
ways room for more. Stabling was al
ways to he had, and there would be
plenty OF bone for the tired hounds.
: In the evening. there would be an
abundance Of oI,l-i:,Shioncd punch for
the men: and dancing to the music OF
Il Uncle BiIly's ever ready fiddle. The
next morning the bugle would sound
'Mount and away. and, refreshed, in
vigoratcd and full Of pleasant anticipa-
tions, this gay party Of happy fox
peat the performance. In those early
davs the Younger folks knew no re-
straint, and. consequently, no false
mo,!esty. and all led life of pure and
untrampled freedom.
In pre- c-Revo!utionary days every
kind of sport was good form. Chick
cn-tirhtinr was considered one Of the
rarrSt and most interesting OF amusc
| L.,
and old alike. Early planters. with
sporting prorliviticS, had separate in
closures for their choice black -brca ST &c
games, and man whose duty it was
to care for them. and when Il main was
arranged between the country gentry
; t. walk them and get them in condi
tion for the contest. As much atten
, ton was paid to their breeding anC
| propagation is the fancy poultry farmer
, of to-day giyes his choice Bramahs
, Cochins or I.rghorns, or the stock
raiser his trottcrs. Washington was
interested iii the sport, and raised many
plu~'iv fighters on his Mount Vernon
+ plantation. Indeed, it is feared that
polil, society would have lool>eC
as.Ianc2 ut our national pr grnitor hao
he lived in these times; and it is posi-
bic that he wond have been Il proper
subject for the :. Il. {. A.. rs he not
r.. ri,t I L L.,