CHAPTER XII 



HUNTING THE FOX 



This is a very large subject, but it will only be treated 

 of here so far as it relates to the nature of the fox. 

 We shall look at the fox, not, as we have hitherto 

 tried to do, as far as is possible from its own 

 point, but from ours. We shall endeavour to see what 

 light our study of the fox throws on what our fore- 

 fathers loved to call the science of foxhunting. 



At this point we may consider briefly whether our 

 study of the fox throws any light on a question many 

 people ask in these days : Is foxhunting justifiable 

 to the conscience of a lover of animals ? 



We need not stop to consider the case of those 

 who condemn a sport they do not understand, and 

 write of what they know nothing. Even if by acci- 

 dent they were in the right, they could not hope to 

 prevail by such methods. But there are people who 

 have thought the matter out, and, deciding that fox- 

 hunting is not to be justified to their consciences, 



