34 SPORT. 



farmer, and in other matters to the small trader. 

 But now he arrives by train and so departs 

 leaving broken fences and damaged crops as the 

 only trace of his visit. These are the evils which 

 may lead to the decadence of fox-hunting. But 

 Mr. Oakeley, master of the Atherstone, an especially 

 and deservedly popular man, it is true, had a mag- 

 nificent proof of an opposite conclusion the other 

 day, when over a thousand tenant farmers, on the 

 bare rumour of the hounds being given up, got up, 

 and signed in a few days, a testimonial or memorial 

 to beg him to continue them, and pledging themselves 

 to do all they could to promote the sport in every 

 way. This is the bright side of a " master's " life. 



But not to all is it given to bask in such sunshine. 

 Earnest labour is required to attain this or any other 

 success. And the following rules, I believe, always 

 guided Mr. Oakeley's conduct as a master : — 



1. To buy his horses as much as possible from the 

 farmers themselves — not from dealers. 



2. To buy his forage in the country. 



