CHAPTER I 



THE FUTURE OF FOX-HUNTING 



When we declared war upon Germany in 1914, 

 many people thought, some perhaps hoped, that 

 Fox-hunting in the British Isles was doomed. It 

 would appear that the former are likely to experi- 

 ence a pleasant shock of surprise, while the latter — 

 if there be any — may be disappointed. For the 

 immediate consequence of mobilization was the 

 recognition of Fox-hunting as a first-class national 

 asset. It is not too much to say that the Expedi- 

 tionary Force could not have left England unless 

 the nation could have drawn upon studs of well- 

 bred hunters to bring the Peace establishment of 

 Army horses up to war strength. Never were 

 Cavalry so quickly or so well mounted as those 

 regiments of Regulars and Yeomanry who embarked 

 for France in August 1914. 



But quite apart from the point of view of 

 national utility, Fox-hunting will surely survive 

 from its own innate qualities. The manner in 



1 B 



