LARKING OVER JUMPS. 



369 



In the Shires, there is so often only one practicable place in 

 stiff fences which form a boundary of large fields, that a person 

 who attempts the comparatively easy spot and fails, is 

 supposed to give way to the next comer who is desirous of 

 trying his luck. The fact of there being other loop-holes of 

 deliverance would of course modify matters. In some provin- 

 cial countries, in which the fences are not as big as those of 



Fig. 24.2 . Ridge and furrow. 



Leicestershire, anyone who can secure a position in front of an 

 easy place, is supposed to have taken a lease of it. 



The practice of pulling down fences and cutting wire on 

 other people's land without lawful permission, is an unjustifi- 

 able offence against property which no honourable man would 

 commit, unless he was determined to subsequently give full 

 reparation and apology. Yet there are men who commit such 

 acts, say nothing about them, and leave the opprobium they 

 excite to fall on the Master. 



Larking over jumps is another practice which is a source 

 of great offence to farmers, and gives rise to many a sneer 



24 



