THE FOX. 95 



tliey were compelled to return to tliis earth 

 and live as foxes, they would rather live in a 

 country where foxhounds were kept, or in a 

 country where there were none ? Can anyone 

 doubt, if foxhunting could be abolished by law, 

 that in a few years foxes would be as rare in 

 England as wolves are now ? Look at the hfe a 

 fox leads in countries where there are no hounds. 

 He cannot creep through a fence without fear- 

 ing to find his leg fast in a trap. He cannot 

 eat a dead rabbit without fearing strychnine ; 

 nor can he appear outside a cover without feel- 

 ing a charge of shot rattle about him, instead 

 of being greeted with a joyful tallyho. 



There is perhaps no happier animal than 

 the English fox who lives in foxhunting 

 countries. From the close of the hunting season 

 till it recommences his life is one round of 

 enjoyment. He is without an enemy, and fives 

 without fear in the midst of plenty. 



While cubhunting lasts, their numbers are 

 reduced to a certain extent ; but after that we 



