jFanners anb Ibunting 249 



years ago, I only see one now, not because they 

 are not as fond of the sport as ever, but simply 

 because they can't afford it : — all the more reason 

 that they should be treated with proper respect and 

 consideration. There are also non-hunting farmers 

 to be dealt with, men who have every reason to 

 complain, especially when their gates are left open 

 and their stock gets mixed, perhaps some cattle let 

 out of the field and allowed to stray away. These 

 people naturally have a great dislike to hunting, and 

 instead of adding fuel to the fire by abusing a man 

 when he complains about your riding over his land, 

 it would be better to find out his address, and send 

 him a hare or a brace of pheasants. Occasionally 

 this is done, but not often enough. When this has 

 happened, I have heard numerous instances of 

 farmers talking about it at the market or fair 

 for weeks afterwards, thus showing what good a 

 small present will do. 



Enough of this, however, as a few more of the inci- 

 dents that have occurred, and some of the gentlemen 

 I have met in the hunting-field, must be mentioned. 

 Amongst others, I must not forget my very old 

 friend Captain Henry Coventry. He was one of 

 the most cheery men it was ever my lot to meet, 

 and certainly one of the finest horsemen, as well as 



