A HISTORY 



OF THE 



OLD BERKS HUNT, 



CHAPTER I. 



The Early History of Foxhunting. 



The present condition of foxhunting in 

 England, with its accompanying division of 

 the length and breadth of the land into terri- 

 tories or countries hunted regularly and sys- 

 tematically by particular packs of hounds, with 

 a complete organisation for the preservation of 

 foxes and the promotion of sport, is a very 

 remarkable result of the action of the old love 

 of sport which we have inherited from our 

 savage ancestors, and which has in this 

 manner adapted itself to modern conditions. 

 This development has had an enormous social 

 influence upon country life, and has proved 

 itself of no small importance in shaping the 

 national character. How many of that first 

 batch of gallant yeomen who sprang to arms 



