142 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



ousted from saloon-bars with lofty scorn by the local green- 

 grocer and his friends, and told to go to the jug-and-bottle 

 entrance. A month after war was declared — the greengrocer 

 and his like being thoroughly scared — Thomas Atkins, dazed 

 but flattered, found himself being fed on buttered toast in 

 mayoral drawing-rooms. 



But this is a shocking digression. Mr. Aldridge believes 

 that a parson should pay attention to his hunting-kit and 

 always turn out well dressed, as laymen note such things and 

 like to see their parson smart. The question as to what is the 

 correct kit for clergymen in the hunting-field remains un- 

 settled, as no clerical tailor seems to have thought of devising a 

 correct and distinctive outfit, which is a pity. 



Among his axioms are the following. The first I have 

 already quoted ; it deals with the necessity of parish work 

 always coming first. 



" If a clergyman wishes to enjoy the sport of fox-hunting, he 

 must remember that ' none of us liveth to himself,' and take 

 care not to let his ' good be evil spoken of. '" Which I take to 

 mean that he has to be extra unselfish, because his most ordinary 

 doings are more likely to be observed and criticised than those 

 of laymen. 



" His hunting should meet with the approval of all around 

 him, or he had better leave it alone, lest he bring discredit upon 

 his high calling." A counsel of perfection indeed ! He is a 

 lucky man who can do anything with the approval of all around 

 him. 



" Let him buy his oats and straw in the village. . . . One day's 

 hunting a week, with a frequent extra, will not be thought too 

 much." 



" Whatever a parson does should be done well, and he 

 should ride straight to hounds if he hunts, and take his falls 

 cheerfully, for there are laymen inclined to look on him as an 

 effeminate creature, neither fish nor fowl." 



It will be seen that this last axiom is almost identical with 

 the oft-expressed opinion of Dean Hole, which is referred to in 

 another chapter, and I feel rather crushed, as I ventured to 

 disagree with it ; but Mr. Aldridge gives a good reason for his 

 opinion, nor is he so arbitrary as Dean Hole, v/ho would not let 

 a parson hunt unless he rode straight, if he could have had his 



