A CENTURY 



OF 



ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION 



IN writing the history of a period which extends 

 for a century the historian must rely upon 

 trustworthy records. In regard to fox-hunting the 

 records are numerous, but their authenticity is 

 doubtful. At the beginning of the century the 

 hunting correspondent was unknown, and it was left 

 to the local poet to commemorate in rhyme the 

 doings of the chase. The main object was to place 

 the names of the local gentry in rhyme, bisect the 

 product with local geography, and trisect the result 

 with hunting phraseology. Masters of hounds, with 

 a few exceptions, were either negligent in posting 

 up their hunting diaries, or did not pretend to keep 

 a diary. They cared nothing for fame, as presented 

 by journalism ; nor could journalism have given them 

 any fame, for until Mr. C. J. Apperley commenced 



