BRITISH SPORT 253 



greater satisfaction than a few brace of pheasants could 

 afford. If a farmer feels annoyed at seeing his fields 

 ridden over, he remembers the fact that horses and 

 servants are maintained upon the produce of his land, 

 and therefore its value is considerably enhanced. 



The progress of civilisation has exercised a decided 

 influence on the affairs of woodcraft in an equal ratio 

 with other pursuits, and thus many changes have been 

 introduced. Is this to be regarded as an evil omen ? I 

 think quite the reverse. If the social manners and 

 habits of Englishmen had alone advanced in refine- 

 ment, and the customs connected with field sports had 

 remained stationary, a chasm would have been opened 

 which would not readily be closed. Had such been the 

 case, it would be incompatible for a man of cultivated 

 mind and modern education to enter into those amuse- 

 ments. If the spirits were not congenial, the enjoy- 

 ment would be curtailed. Instead of the union which 

 is promoted by fox-hunting, there would have been a 

 division in society. 



The auguries of a few prejudiced persons predicted 

 that the changes which have taken place would occasion 

 the downfall of British sports, and with it the distinc- 

 tion of the British character — auguries which happily 

 have not been realised, neither is there any cause for 

 apprehension. At no period did the chase ever stand 

 so highly in popular estimation as at present. There 

 may be some individuals who would exult if all manly 

 enjoyments were exterminated, and perhaps others 

 who are envious of everything that undergoes a change 

 — much more so if it is an improvement on ancient 

 customs — who have for several years uttered grave 

 warnings that fox-hunting was hastening to destruc- 

 tion. Comparing the customs of past and present 

 days, which have been enumerated in these pages, such 

 a construction is quite at variance with facts. The 

 irregularity which presided over the arrangements for 

 hunting certain districts must have entailed consider- 

 able inconvenience and annoyance, literally excluding 



