INTRODUCTION 17 



in the Press, accompanied by vigorous denunciations, 

 in spite of stern measures, almost amounting to 

 arbitrary conduct, adopted towards them by Masters, 

 such as Lord Lonsdale, in spite of the attitude of 

 social ostracism assumed towards them by the local 

 supporters of hunting, these enemies to sport and 

 agriculture thrive and increase. 



My contention is that any custom which causes 

 fox-hunting to have an adverse influence on agri- 

 culture should be destroyed by drastic measures. 

 The method of destruction must be decided by the 

 Masters of Hounds, who may be regarded as forming 

 the legislative body in all matters appertaining to 

 the hunting-field, and as the authorised representa- 

 tives of their sport-loving constituents. I, as a con- 

 stituent, can only suggest a method. My suggestion 

 is that every M.F.H. should make it publicly known 

 that any person following his hounds without sub- 

 scribing to his or some other pack will be prosecuted 

 for trespass ; for I am convinced that, if only one or 

 two of these non-subscribers were expelled from the 

 hunting-field by means of such a prosecution, the re- 

 mainder would either subscribe or betake themselves 

 to the pursuit of some cheaper sport, since the odium 

 attaching to such a prosecution would be greater than 

 any self-respecting man would care to encounter. 



I have suggested this method because, to my mind, 



it appears to be easier of accomplishment than any 



other scheme, which I have heard advocated. The 



suggestion that licences should be issued by the hunt 



c 



