134 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



same country to try every inch of covert, hearing another fox 

 had been seen. Farmer Steers having cooled a little in the 

 meantime, and being although a great man a good-hearted one 

 as well, came out to the place of meeting, but looking very 

 much offended. There was a large assemblage of bold yeomen, 

 on good-looking horses, who civilly took off their hats as they 

 came up to look at the hounds ; but Mr. Steers approached not, 

 and was eyeing me with fixed attention from a little distance. 

 His friends went up and shook hands with him, and I could 

 see sometliing was said in reference to me ; but Farmer Steers 

 shook his head. I guessed how matters stood, and acted upon 

 the hint without hesitation. Going straight at once to where 

 he was sitting with his friends, I held out my hand to him and 

 said, "Come, Mr. Steers, it is not my wish or disposition to 

 make enemies where I ought to make friends, and I will not 

 hunt this or any other country without the goodwill of the 

 farmers as well as the landlords. I was wrong in a moment of 

 excitement to swear at you the last time we met, and I can only 

 say I have been sorry for it ever since. Will you shake hands T 

 " Will I % — yes, I will, young gentleman, and more than that, I 

 was in the wrong as well, in spoiling your day's sport. I have 

 thought of that since, or you would not have seen me out to- 

 day." Joy lit up the faces of all around at this happy recon- 

 ciliation. All was satisfaction, and I heard many exclaim, 

 " That's right, I like him for it," for Mr. Steers was about head 

 man in those parts, and possessed a small fox covert, which at 

 that time I was not aware of. From that day the farmers 

 proved themselves my stanch and unwavering friends. For 

 many, many years they supported me "through thick and 

 thin," and I can say with truth I shall always remember them 

 with feelings of the deepest regard. 



There is no finer race of men on earth than the honest, true- 

 hearted yeomen of England. In all fox-hunting countries they 

 are the first to suffer, but the last to complain. Quicquid delirant 

 reges 'plectuntur Achivi. Their wheat is trampled to pieces, 

 young clovers often ruined, fences broken down, and their 

 poultry carried off by foxes : this and more they put up with, 

 without whining about it to their landlords. Are they not 

 entitled to some consideration? Let every master of hounds 

 bear in mind these things, and remember that the farmers are 

 entitled to civility, at least, and more respect than is often paid 

 them. I always treated them with cordiality wherever I met 

 them, either in the field or the city, and they repaid me with 

 interest. Many a good litter of foxes was carefully looked 

 after by them, and young hounds sent home in blooming con- 



