Fox-htmfing Past and Present 



hunted foxes in Devonshire ; previously they had 



been done to death with sticks and stones. If 



we turn back the pages of hunting history we find 



that it was not so much money as sheer pluck and 



determination on the M.F.H.'s part which made 



hunting popular, where previously the sound of 



the horn had been unknown. The M.F.H. must 



have something more than the mere promise to 



preserve foxes, and the committee's guarantee of 



money. The assistance of the residents during the 



summer is also required. We may have lost many 



of the country squires owing to the depreciation 



of rents ; still, others have taken their places. 



The merchant and lawyer now as often as not 



live in the country near the town where they carry 



on business. They acquire the tastes of country 



gentlemen ; a dozen packs or more are kept going 



by London residents alone. As a rule he is 



anxious to promote sport, and give no offence to 



his predecessors on the land, who are still in some 



parts presumed to be the country sportsmen. He, 



the merchant, may be and is the best of fellows, 



and hopes to win influence with the farmers ; still, 



he is as often as not on the horns of a dilemma. 



If he keeps aloof he is called lukewarm. It is 



said of him his money is all right ; he is a good 



man to hounds, but outside the hunting-field he 



does nothing for the sport. The M.F.H. should 



and often does give him every encouragement to 



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