xii THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



shrine of the hound ; and when any pack of hounds of 

 great reputation is for sale, either privately or by 

 auction, there is not only much excitement in the hunt- 

 ing world, but probably the sale is on so great a scale 

 that it will be talked about for years to come. Just as 

 this book goes to press a sale of thirty hounds for a 

 sum of ^2000 has been announced, and the price of 

 over ^66 per hound, though a high one, is not a 

 record. 



It is the case, moreover, that there is a steady in- 

 crease in the number of hunting people, in spite of 

 the fact that it costs more to hunt than it did a genera- 

 tion or two ago. But probably the increase is greater 

 with regard to beagles and other hounds than in fields 

 composed of men and women who ride. Not so long 

 ago hunting on foot was little indulged in, except in 

 the mountainous districts of Cumberland and West- 

 morland, and with a few packs of otter hounds. 

 Now, however, there are whole communities of people 

 who hunt on foot, scattered all over the country, and 

 probably about a third of each field of foot hunters is 

 composed of ladies. During the winter, too, very full 

 reports are given each week of the doings of many of 

 the principal packs of hounds, and there is every 

 reason to believe that the supply of hunting news 

 is by no means equal to the demand. 



In the following pages some attempt is made to 

 treat of foxhunting as it is carried on at the present 

 day, and to show the great changes which have come 

 into existence- — not in the actual sport itself, but in the 

 conditions which surround it. Every one who followed 



