INTRODUCTION 13 



growing crops were respected by them ; they did not 

 break down fences by needlessly attempting to jump 

 them ; they did not leave gates open so that cattle 

 might stray over the country ; finally, they were the 

 farmers' neighbours. Many of the class still exist, 

 but their number is dwarfed by the crowd of 

 strangers who throng to the meets of any fashionable 

 pack. Now, the stranger can only expect to be made 

 welcome in the hunting-field when he maintains his 

 influence by his subscription. It is his subscription, 

 which gives him the moral right to ride over the 

 land. To a limited extent the M.F.H. or the hunt 

 secretary is the medium through which his money 

 finds its way into the farmer's pocket. The farmer 

 is perfectly aware of this, and recognises the visitor 

 as a member of the hunt, though a stranger to 

 the country. Of such members there are plenty, 

 especially in the countries, which are adjacent to the 

 manufacturing districts. Of them I have nothing 

 to say but praise. They enjoy their sport, they pay 

 for their enjoyment, and by their payment maintain 

 the influence of their hunt on local agriculture. 

 Moreover, as a rule, they are personally known to the 

 M.F.H. , if not to the small farmers, and he knows 

 that he can rely upon them to help him in maintain- 

 ing cordial relations between the hunting and 

 agricultural interests, and to do all which lies within 

 their power to neutralise the adverse influence 

 exercised by the flying visitors, who never subscribe 

 to any hunt. These men may be described as 



