OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 29 



if hounds hunted a country ; but we all knoAV, 

 from an unfortunate exposure in a trial for tres- 

 pass, that we cannot legally claim any right to 

 hunt. In the present day, by courtesy alone, it 

 is sanctioned. 



The great mania for Game, and the useless 

 quantity of it with which we find most coverts 

 glutted, is a great misfortune to Fox-hunting, 

 For some time (may I be allowed to say) there 

 has been a war between the Pheasant and the 

 Fox ; during which period (what may seem not 

 a little extraordinary, and I state it with regret) 

 the former has generally been victorious. Still I 

 am no enemy to shooting, particularly to Partridge- 

 shooting, because it is an active amusement, and 

 a healthy exercise, without both of which, to my 

 mind, no sport can exist. I never could make 

 up my mind, to go to any of their Batues. I 

 won't say that the danger attending them has 

 kept me away, though it is by no means trifling, 

 for the accidents we read of far exceed in number 

 those which occur in Fox-hunting ; and surely 

 a fall from a horse is better than being shot by 

 a friend. 



The feeds given on these occasions are generally 

 capital, though to a real Sportsman, there is but 

 little amusement. 



Happening to be on a journey in a mail coach 



