viii INTRODUCTION 



effects of light and shade are more varied, and even 

 on the lower slopes, by reason of the lower altitude 

 of the sun and the prolongation of shadows, the 

 folds and crinkles of the mountain bases are more 

 distinctly seen. Visitors, however, are compara- 

 tively few, for days are short and often wet, the 

 attractions fewer in number, and accommodation 

 in the remoter spots not easily available. But 

 those who come, and are fortunate in their meteoro- 

 logical experiences, are amply rewarded ; and, if 

 they are able-bodied and active, can enjoy the 

 hunting which some four or five packs of hounds 

 afford. 



To most people " hunting " connotes horses 

 and riders, and red coats, and breeches and boots. 

 The Lakeland hunter, however, sees none of these 

 things. At most he will catch an occasional 

 glimpse of the scarlet coat of huntsman or whip. 

 A horse would be as much out of place at a meet 

 of a f ellside pack as a hippopotamus, and be about 

 as useful. Breeches and boots would be an 

 impossible handicap. The iron horse, the bicycle, 

 takes the place of the covert hack, knickerbockers 

 of leathers, and shooting-boots of tops. 



The mountain packs of hounds were instituted 

 or taken over by the farmers of the district for the 

 protection of their flocks from the depredation of 

 the numerous foxes, which frequent the fells, and 

 at times take a heavy toll of the lambs in the 



