THE SPORTING WORLD. 171 



master, men, or homids would be very hazard- 

 ous if done in the hope of improvement. 



The stag-hunter I must regard in a general 

 way as a man " of no mark." It would be 

 invidious to add "or likelihood/' though I must 

 admit that both terms would be appropriately 

 used to many who go, some for a gallop, others 

 from an aiFectation of the sportsman, others to 

 show themselves, and, again, others to show 

 their horses j some go for air and exercise, and 

 consequent health, about, I should say, the most 

 sensible reason a man could give for riding 

 with stag hounds when others were to be found 

 within reasonable distance ; many go for fun, 

 not one in twenty for hunting, that is, real 

 hunting. 



In some proof of what I say, you rarely see 

 a farmer with stag hounds ; now they are a 

 class that, where they can afford it, are Sports- 

 men. In many counties you see a considerable 

 number with fox hounds, in the Holderness 



