146 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT 



CHAPTER XIII 



THE FARMERS. 



"And you, good yeomen. 

 Whose limbs were made in lOngland, show' us here 

 The mettle of your pasture ; let us swear 

 That you are worth your breeding, which I douin not. 



I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, 

 Straining upon the start. The game's afoot ; 

 Follow your spirit ; and upon this charge. 

 Cry — God for Harry ! England ! anci Saint George 1 " 



King Henry /', act Hi, scene i. 



From the very beginning of the Hunt, tlie Royal Rock Ijengles have 

 been on friendly terms with the fanners. When asked in tlie Hrst instance 

 for permission to h'ant over tlieir .'arms, they one and all cordially assented, 

 and were proud to have a hare found u})on their land. This good feeling 

 has grown with, and been cemented by, the kindly intercourse of half a 

 century ; and we may confidently assert that we are now on as good terms 

 with the farmers as ever, witii a good prospect of a continuance of the same 

 for niany years to come; indeed, as long as the Hunt endures. 



Beagles cannot claim, like foxhounds or harriers, indirectly to benefit 

 the farmer, and it is llie duty of beaglers, therefore, to do all in their power, 

 individually and collectively, to keep in his good graces. Although men on 

 foot cannot do as much harm as a lot of horsemen gallo[)ing over the fences 

 and land, yet there are some slight damages and annoyances which the 

 careless beagler can inflict upon the fanner. 'J'hese may rankle in his mind, 

 and draw forth some caustic remarks, which at the time seem unfriendly, 

 but which are soon forgotten, or are easily smoothed over with a word of 

 apology or regret, especially if this comes from the Master. 



The chief grievances of the farmer against the beagler are easily 

 enumerated, and might, in many instances, as easily be prevented with a 

 little consideration. 



ist. They don't like a large crowd of followers, esiiecially if they have 

 reason to think that many of them are not members of the Hunt. For this 

 reason it is desirable that members should wear the uniform of the club on 

 all occasions, in accordance with Rule XVH, which, with the rule limiting 

 the number of members to si.xty, was specially designed to meet this objection 



