INTRODUCTORY 1 1 



found fault with by others on mere assumption. 

 Of course, if it were possible to bring proof of 

 vulpicide against the keepers, the matter should 

 be laid before the men's employer, but it must 

 always be a very delicate business to approach, and 

 should be done in a conciliatory, not an aggres- 

 sive spirit. The man who rears a large stock of 

 pheasants and also hunts, ought always to make 

 it his business to see that the foxes in his coverts 

 are never interfered with. I can sympathise with 

 the man who does not hunt and thinks his sport 

 is being injured by the foxes ; but the selfish fellow 

 who hunts in one country and allows his keepers 

 to slay foxes in another, is an individual who can 

 only be described by words that are not to be 

 found in a dictionary. Social ostracism is the 

 least punishment that should be meted out to him, 

 and his offence should be cried from the house- 

 tops. I am thankful to say, however, that few 

 instances of such disgusting selfishness occur ; but 

 whenever the charge can be fully proved, I think 

 it is the duty of the master, whose hunt the 

 man patronises, to request him not to follow his 

 hounds. 



The brotherhood of sport should be a link 



