THE FATHER OF MODERN HUNTING 



and it is impossible to deny, by anyone who has care- 

 fully perused The Chace, first printed in 1735, that, 

 in that fine blank verse poem, Somervile has not only 

 completely described the modern methods of hunting 

 with fox, hare, stag, and otter, but has anticipated in a 

 truly remarkable degree the management of modern 

 kennels, the treatment of hounds, and a score of other 

 details connected with the chase as it is practised at the 

 present day. No modern author, not even Beckford 

 himself, who quotes so largely from The Chace, has 

 bettered Somervile's descriptions and advice ; and it 

 will be readily conceded by any sportsman of the pre- 

 sent year 1904, that the poem is still in its main features 

 as fresh, as masterly, and as accurate an account of 

 hunting, as it is still understood, as it is possible to 

 wish for. 



Somervile has, for various reasons, fallen somewhat 

 under the shadow of neglect. It is long since he 

 flourished ; his name, except by the faithful few, who 

 treasure the history and the romance of the sport they 

 so greatly enjoy, is but little remembered ; and I sup- 

 pose not five hunting men in a hundred have read his 

 poem, that wonderful account which, in spite of some 

 temporary eclipse of his fame, will always render 

 Somervile immortal. It is difficult for the average 

 reader to glean much information concerning this 

 famous sportsman ; his remains were scanty, and his 

 biographers have been fitful and somewhat careless. 

 Some short account of the author of The Chace and 

 passages from his poem may therefore be thought 

 worthy of resuscitation. 



William Somervile, who was born at Edstone, in 

 Warwickshire, in 1677, and died at the same place 

 in 1742, came of an old county family, having Norman 

 ancestry, at the head of which stood a kinsman of the 



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