The Hunting Year 



was not, and when at least thirty per cent, of 

 the field were tenant farmers. 



Others there are at our opening day who are 

 perforce kept to the carriage division, and who 

 are not blessed with the hardy old age of the 

 veterans I have spoken of. In that carriage 

 which is surrounded by men in scarlet is one 

 who should himself be wearing the bright livery 

 upon which he is perhaps looking for the last 

 time. Disease has told its tale, and the once 

 powerful form is wasted and worn; but his eye 

 brightens at the familiar scene, and his greeting 

 to his friends is cheery as he wishes them good 

 sport, and that he may see as much as it is 

 possible to see of it on wheels. It is a sad little 

 episode to introduce on our opening day, you 

 will say. Well, perhaps it might have been left 

 out, but even the opening day of the hunting 

 season is not one of perfect joy; and the man 

 who had taken his part in the front so long as 

 health remained deserves a passing word from 

 old comrades. And how those words are 

 cherished ! If some of us would think a little, I 

 am sure there would be more of them to cherish. 



74 



