2 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



should say sportsmen. They were the masters of hounds, 

 keeping huntsmen, horses, and hounds, falconers also ; but I 

 imagine with them it was more with an eye to the pot than for 

 the sport. 



It must have been a relief in the gone-by days to see the 

 sombre clerical attire of black coat and waistcoat amongst the 

 gaudy garments worn as late as 1762, when it was correct to 

 wear for hare-hunting a blue frock-coat, scarlet velvet cape, and 

 a scarlet flannel waistcoat made to wrap over, or, in other words, 

 double-breasted. Poor souls, they were plucky ! For fox- 

 hunting, a green coat, accompanied by a grass-green velvet cape 

 and waistcoat, was considered proper and dignified. This was 

 rather reversing the present-day style, where green is the 

 accepted harrier colour, and pink for fox-hunting. 



There must have been straight runs in those days ; the 

 wonder is that fox, hare, or hounds ever stopped running — ^they 

 must have been so frightened. 



A good deal has been written about a few well-known 

 hunting parsons, but there are others, many of whom I have 

 had the pleasure of knowing, of whom no scribe has written, 

 and whose memory should be cherished for ever. 



There is always a certain amount of prejudice against 

 sporting parsons. I wonder why ? It seems so narrow, petty, 

 and short-sighted. One might almost imagine no religion, no 

 example was needed outside the four walls of the church. 

 Besides, why must a man cease to be human the moment he 

 becomes a parson ? Why are they to be allowed no pet weak- 

 ness or recreation that makes life possible ? 



I have tried to gather from grumblers what they consider 

 suitable and befitting a parson. It runs much in this 

 fashion : 



If the individual has a princely living, worth £80 or £100 a 

 year, he must do no work to augment his income, or he is 

 neglecting his parish and is a money-grabber. 



If he stays at home and improves his mind, he is lazy and 

 idle ; why does he not work and visit his parishioners ? — so 

 that they may grumble and say he always turns up at their 

 dinner-time — that repast being generally a movable one to suit 

 the work of the family. Some may even say their house is their 

 castle just as much as it is to the gentry, and they don't see 



