CHAPTER XIII. 



THE FARMERS— FOX PRESERVERS— 

 THE GAMEKEEPERS. 



Although I was for many years a farmer my- 

 self, and therefore feel some natural diffidence in 

 writing of the farmers, yet all will freely admit that 

 it is only their due to speak of them in the highest 

 terms. No one has seen or known more of them 

 during the last half-century than myself. I first 

 knew them in the days of " Live and let live." 

 I wish that I could repeat that in connection with 

 them now. Circumstances, over which we have no 

 control, have militated against the landed interest, 

 and have operated in favour of others, leaving the 

 farmer in a much worse position than he was ; 

 and it seems very sad that it should be so. 



Notwithstanding this calamity, there is still 

 great loyalty to Foxhunting remaining in the hearts 

 of the farmers ; and where they are treated kindly 



