The Hunting Year 



It is the month also which is the most impor- 

 tant of the season from the social standpoint, 

 and it was before hunting became so " fashion- 

 able " as it is now — not altogether to the benefit 

 of the sport. There were in the good old days 

 men who regularly appeared at the opening 

 fixture of their local pack. Then, if as generally 

 happened, they had a pleasant day, renewing 

 old acquaintances and talking over county busi- 

 ness with their friends, they would turn out 

 again on a fine November morning, and yet 

 again. But the first rough day sent them home, 

 and their breeches and boots were put by till the 

 following season, unless perchance a bright 

 April morning tempted them to make one on 

 that most dismal of days in the hunting man's 

 calendar — that which is marked by the words, 

 " to finish the season." The writer has known 

 in his time many such men. That they were 

 not keen is evidenced by the fact that whilst they 

 had plenty of opportunity for hunting regularly 

 they contented themselves with a very few days 

 indeed. But if not keen they had a kindly feel- 

 ing towards hunting and hunting men. Their 



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