3IO ROBERT S. SURTEES 



hunted Mr. Stanley Sterling's fox. In his 

 later books (at least, I suppose them to be 

 such), Ask MammUy Plain or Ringlets, and 

 Hawbuck Grange, there may really be said 

 to be no hero, for nobody can take much 

 interest in Fine Billy, Bunting, or even John 

 Scott. In Hillingdon Hall we have an old 

 friend, Jorrocks again, Jorrocks older if per- 

 haps not much wiser, Jorrocks glorified, J. P., 

 and at last even M.P. Underlying the light 

 humour of this latter work is a purpose, how- 

 ever ; it is throughout the work of a country 

 gentleman who foresees the ruin to agricul- 

 ture the Repeal of the Corn Laws is to bring 

 with it. It is also a scathing commentary 

 on those townsmen who think they can teach 

 farmers their business, but really all Surtees' 

 books are more or less of the nature of a 

 country gentleman's vade mecum. Take 



