88 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



spoiling your day's sport. I have thought of that since, 

 or you would not have seen me out to-day." Joy lit up 

 the faces of all around at this happy reconciliation. All 

 vi^as satisfaction, and I heard many exclaim, " That's 

 right, I like him for it," for Mr. Steers was about head 

 man in those parts, and possessed a small fox covert, 

 which at that time I was not aware of. From that day 

 the farmers proved themselves my staunch and unwaver- 

 ing friends. For many many years they supported me 

 '* through thick and thin," and I can say with truth I shall 

 always remember them with feelings of the deepest regard. 

 There is no finer race of men on earth than the honest, 

 true-hearted yeomen of England. In all fox hunting 

 countries they are the first to suffer, but the last to 

 complain. Quicquid delirant reges plecfuntur Achivi, 

 Their wheat is trampled to pieces, young clovers often 

 ruined, fences broken down, and their poultry carried off 

 by foxes : this and more they put up with, without 

 whining about it to their landlords. Are they not en- 

 titled to some consideration ? Let every master of hounds 

 bear in mind these things, and remember that the farmers 

 are entitled to civility, at least, and more respect than is 

 often paid them. I always treated them with cordiality 

 wherever I met them, either in the field or the^city, and 

 they repaid me with interest. Many a good litter of 

 foxes was carefully looked after by them, and young 

 hounds sent home in blooming condition, free of expense ; 

 a cordial welcome offered also to myself, horses, and 

 hounds, whenever I approached their houses ; but of 

 this I did not often avail myself, as time was pressing, 

 and I made a point of never stopping anywhere until the 

 business of the day was over. Many of them in those 



