6 THE GROUSE 



only. In the peoples of America and 

 Canada a penchant for the pleasures of rod 

 and gun has lately had a rapid develop- 

 ment among the well-to-do and leisured 

 classes. The manors of England as well 

 as the moors and deer forests of Scotland 

 are eagerly sought by a goodly number of 

 affluent Americans, who can afford to pay, 

 and do pay, for the shooting ; great rents 

 are obtained for these places, to the sub- 

 stantial advantage of many besides their 

 immediate owners. 



It may be advisable here to distinguish 

 between those who shoot for sport alone 

 — for the pleasurable excitement, and the 

 health -giving exercise and recreation 

 which it affords — and those who have 

 done so for their own security merely, or 

 for food and clothing. The chase is 

 necessarily in all unsettled regions ante- 

 cedent to civilisation. Noxious and 

 dangerous animals must be eradicated for 

 safety, if not for food, prior to reclama- 

 tion of the soil for the yield of its natural 

 fruits to the support of man. That, 



