ON THE NATIONAL UTILITY OF HUNTING. 15 



with it may be said to be conducted on the voluntary principle. 

 There is no law to compel people to have their land ridden over 

 or to preserve foxes, yet throughout the length and breadth of 

 England how few and far between are the cases of vulcipedism, 

 or noticies being served on hunting men not to trespass ! This 

 very fact alone speaks volumes in its favour, for were it not 

 intrinsically good, people who themselves do not hunt would 

 never submit to have their land trampled and their coverts 

 disturbed. 



Shooting has now become so expensive, and the right of it so 

 much sought after, that it is a class amusement ; and only those 

 who have manors of their own, are wealthy enough to rent them, 

 or have fi^iends in either of those pleasant circumstances, can 

 indulge in it. Neither can I allow it the same utility, in a 

 national sense, as the chase, especially as pursued under the 

 modern system. When a man went out to shoot over dogs and 

 walked for his game, it was a different matter; but now, in 

 many instances, all the shooter has to do is to hold his gun 

 straight, and keep out of sight until the game is driven within 

 range of it. There is a certain amount of strain on the nerve 

 and physical exertion I admit, but it cannot be of such a 

 healthy and invigorating nature as riding over a county. 



I^either can shooting be altogether acquitted of having draw- 

 backs which hunting is free from, and when we read, week after 

 week, in the papers of serious affrays with poachers, and reflect 

 that these mean too often murdered keepers, and several men 

 sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, if not to worse 

 things, who can say that for that reason alone, nationallj^ 

 speaking, the amusement of shooting is not to be compared 

 with hunting. 



Such things also as heartburnings and bickerings on account 

 of over-preservation of game are elements in the reckoning which 

 tell materially in favour of the chase. The damage done to 

 crops and loss of poultry may be quoted on the other side ; but 

 my acquaintance with land, and knowledge of farmers and 



