54 Reynard loves the Chase. 



on. But even there it does not thrive. Here in 

 the East it will not be made indigenous. 



Not but what, on a bright sunny day, a meet 

 at which equine admirers can show their neat 

 turn-outs and glossy steeds and discuss horseflesh 

 in the general and the particular is a delight- 

 ful experience. And indeed, wherever crops and 

 covers do not monopolize the country, a good 

 drag-hunt may often be had before cold weather 

 mars the sport. Perchance, in time, Reynard may 

 take up his abode with us, when vulpicide shall 

 be punished by real ostracism. For has not 

 the Ettrick Shepherd proven conclusively that 

 Reynard loves the chase ? But far from under- 

 rating the caged fox or anise-seed bag, hare and 

 hounds would seem to afford the better sport. 

 For the hares, an they will, can carry you across 

 a country where each one can choose his own 

 course, instead of being obliged to follow a leader 

 through wood-paths, and through second growth 

 which is all but jungle, where, if one happens to 

 blunder at an obstacle, your follower will come 

 riding down atop of you, and where you are 

 bound to be " nowhere " unless you get away with 

 the first half-dozen men. 



But spite of all its drawbacks, Patroclus, you 

 and I enjoy in equal measure a run under fair 

 conditions as much as the best of them. And 

 let us hope the hunting fever will be kept up in 



