2io THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



at the praise of social equals finds it hard to resist the 

 apparently bluff outspoken applause of his inferiors be- 

 stowed on his prowess in field sports, whether rowing or 

 riding, with rod or gun. Of course it frequently happens 

 that the sportsman really does excel as a shot ; but that 

 in no degree lessens the insidious effect of the praise which 

 seems extorted in the excitement of the moment, and to 

 come forth with unpremeditated energy. 



The next step is to establish a common ground of 

 indignation ; for it is to be observed that those who unite 

 in abuse of a third person have a stronger bond of 

 sympathy than those who mutually admire another. If by 

 accident some unfortunate contretemps should cause a 

 passing irritation between his master and the owner of a 

 neighbouring estate, the keeper loses no opportunity of 

 heaping coals upon the fire. He brings daily reports of 

 trespass. Now the other party's keepers have been beat- 

 ing a field beyond their boundaries ; now they have 

 ferreted a bank to which they have no right. Another 

 time they have prevented straying pheasants from return- 

 ing to the covers by intercepting their retreat ; and a score 

 of similar tricks. Or perhaps it is the master of a pack 

 of hounds against whom insinuations are directed : cubs 

 are not destroyed sufficiently, and the pheasants are eaten 

 daily. 



Sometimes it is a tenant-farmer with a long lease, 

 who cannot be quickly ejected, who has to bear the brunt 



