LETTER XIl. 



It may not now be out of place to make a few observa- 

 tions on the laws of fox-hunting. Where, then, is the 

 law or the rules which govern fox-hunting to be found ? 

 No where. It is a lex non scripta. We have rules for 

 Cricket Clubs, rules for the Prize Ring, rules for the 

 Jockey Club, and rules laid down for every other national 

 game or amusement ; but no written rules for that most 

 popular and national amusement — Fox-hunting. Upon 

 what basis, then, do the laws of fox-hunting rest, and by 

 whom are they recognized ? They stand upon a foun- 

 dation which is admitted even by the common law of 

 England to be good and valid — custom ; and that custom 

 is considered sufficiently binding and obligatory upon 

 every master of foxhounds, who not merely calls himself, 

 but is virtually a gentleman. The tenure upon which 

 hunting countries are held, I may set down as threefold. 

 That occupied by individuals as sole masters ; secondly, 

 by clubs or committees ; and thirdly, that held upon 

 sufferance. 



I may here be met by some large game preservers, who 

 will say, " I repudiate your fox-hunting laws altogether, 

 and will have none of them. Vermin killers, indeed, to 

 dictate to me, and parcel out my woods and lands as they 

 please ; the old feudal laws again." Not a bit of it, my 



