CHAPTER LIII 



IMAGINARY GRIEVANCES 

 Which for things true weeps things imaginary. — Richard II. 



It has, I think, been sufficiently laid down that 

 hunting is only possible by the forbearance of the 

 owners and occupiers of land, or, in other words, 

 that there is no legal right for one man to ride 

 over the land which is in the occupation of another. 

 It has been urged with persistency that it is the 

 duty of hunting men to refrain from any un- 

 necessary damage themselves, and as much as 

 lies in their power to prevent others from leaving 

 gates open, breaking down fences when hounds 

 are not running, and riding over young wheats, 

 clovers, and turnips. It has been urged, and very 

 properly, that these are only what may be termed 

 for want of a better phrase, negative courtesies to 

 the farmer, and that the hunting man, if his heart 

 be in the right place, will be more active in his 

 sympathies with the man over whose land he rides, 

 and to whom he owes his sport. He should sup- 

 port the local agricultural shows, he should be 

 ready and willing to aid any and every movement 

 for the advancement of agriculture and the interests 

 of farmers in the country in which he hunts, and 

 he should, where possible, buy his forage and his 



