6 THE SOUTH DEVON HUNT 



between the fences. " But here," he said, "it is 

 in my mouth all the time." Yet there is a good deal 

 of difference between Exmoor and Dartmoor. This 

 difference is neatly, if paradoxically, expressed in 

 the saying quoted by Mr. Evered in his interest- 

 ing Staghunting with the Devon and Somerset: " On 

 Exmoor you can ride everywhere except where you 

 can't ; on Dartmoor you can't ride anywhere except 

 where you can." Those who know both forests^ will 

 appreciate the truth of the contrast. 



The country is fairly free from wire, that is, from 

 hidden wire, although some does exist in places. 

 This is due doubtless in part to the nature of the 

 fences, which, as stated, are banks, and in part to 

 the consideration of the farmers. But in two or 

 three parts of the country large areas are enclosed 

 with barbed wire which interferes sadly with the 

 sport. It is not suggested that this is due to any 

 active hostility to hunting. The tendency of the 

 times is for land to get into the hands of successful 

 business men. Many of these, it is a pleasure to 

 record, are endowed with quick perceptions which 

 enable them soon to fill the role of country gentle- 

 men with credit to themselves and with satisfaction 

 to their neighbours. There are some, on the other 

 hand, who seem unable to appreciate that the owner- 

 ship of land has its obligations, or to realize what is 

 expected of them in their new position. While 

 spending largely for benevolent and philanthropic 

 purposes, they know nothing of the tastes and habits 

 of country people, or of the great part that hunting 

 plays in the life of the country-side. They do not 

 see that, by interfering with a sport that has been 



' The forests of Dartmoor and Exmoor, like the Scotch deer forests, 

 nave no trees. 



