FOX-HUNTING. 109 



many are swayed by these considerations ; but 

 notwithstanding the devious spirit of the age, the 

 instinctive love of country animates still the breast 

 of every true Briton Avhose heart responds to the 

 words of the old song — 



" 'Midst pleasures and palaces though we may roam, 

 Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." 



Neither shall I enter on another favourite plea so 

 often used by the advocates of fox-hunting, as to 

 its utility in causing money to flow more readily 

 into the pockets of the farmers for the enhanced 

 value of their produce ; such being admitted to be 

 the case in the neighbourhood of large hunting 

 establishments. Irrespective of these advantages 

 to the country, the employment it affords to so 

 many, and the taxes it contributes to the revenue, 

 I advocate the cause of the " Noble Science" on its 

 own merits alone. Fox-hunting stands pre-emi- 

 nently first on the list of all British sports, none 

 excepted. It is the most manly, unselfish, ex- 

 citing, invigorating pastime, worthy of the highest 

 patronage, and deserving the support of every man 

 who wishes well to his country. 



At the same time I do not wish to see any re- 

 vival of the state of things which existed in the 

 latter part of the last century, when few manu- 



