CHAPTER XLIX 



FARMERS AND FOX-HUNTING 



The relations between farmers and fox-hunting 

 have been the subject of discussion and comment 

 ever since fox-hunting was a regularly established 

 sport. In the latter part of last century John 

 Marshall, himself an ardent sportsman and one of 

 the leading agriculturists of his day (he was a 

 member of the Royal Agricultural Commission), 

 wrote on the subject, and though his article was 

 never printed, it covers the subject perhaps better 

 than it has been covered by any one since. In 

 effect John Marshall says : "I am a keen sports- 

 man ; I would do all that is in my power to 

 further the sport of my friends and neighbours, 

 but I should stand firmly on my rights as a farmer 

 if any wanton damage was done." I think this 

 fairly represents the position which is recognised 

 by all fox-hunters who are worthy of the name ; 

 but since the days when John Marshall hunted and 

 farmed many changes have taken place, and a class 

 of men have taken to hunting, and capital sports- 

 men some of them are, which a hundred years ago 

 were never seen in the field. These men know 

 little of rural life ; the hours they have spent in 

 the country have principally been spent in the 

 pursuit of sport, and they know little or nothing 



