2 THE OLD BERKS HUNl 



five years ago in the hour of their country's 

 difficulty, and who did such splendid service 

 for their native land in South Africa, were 

 trained in the hunting field ! The social influ- 

 ence of a sport, which is at once the most 

 aristocratic and the most democratic of all 

 pastimes, can hardly be over-rated. Fox- 

 hunting provides a neutral ground upon which 

 all classes meet and learn to mutually respect 

 and know each other. Any facts relating to 

 the first establishment of one of the oldest 

 recognised English hunts must be of interest 

 to so many, that we deem no apology necessary 

 for offering to the public these notes relating 

 to the history of the Old Berks Hunt. 



Foxhunting in the modern sense is a pro- 

 duct of the eighteenth century. In the well- 

 known book, " The Gentleman's Recreation," 

 published in 1697, a description is given "Of 

 the various Stiles of Hunting." These "Stiles" 

 are described in the following order : — 



ist Of Hart-Hunting. 



2nd Of Buck- Hunting. 



3rd Of Roe-Hunting. 



4th Of Rain-deer- Hunting. 



5th Of Hare- Hunting. 



6th Of Coney- Hunting. 



7th Of Fox-Hunting, 



8th Of Badger- Hunting. 



