290 A TLING AT THE BATTUE SYSTEM. 



on four fields, for their protection, into which no 

 dog was allowed to enter, and from this small 

 place the whole manor was well stocked with 

 hares. 



As another instance of the sagacity of the canine 

 race, I may mention that my greyhounds would 

 never pursue a hare when she came in sight of 

 the plantation ; having been always called back, 

 they knew that this to them was forbidden ground, 

 and the hares appeared equally aware of the fact, 

 straining every nerve to reach their place of pro- 

 tection. 



The preservation of game, to a certain extent, is 

 not only reasonable, but almost an indispensable 

 to a country gentleman to distribute amongst his 

 friends, acquaintances, and neighbours ; but the 

 regular battue system, and the consequent cruelties 

 attached to it, such as gin-setting, shooting or poi- 

 soning all your neighbours' dogs and cats, pit-falls, 

 in which any poor stray animal may be starved to 

 death before found by the keeper ; fox-killing, &;c., 

 &c., I have always held in the greatest aversion, as 

 being of an un-English and un- sportsmanlike 

 character. 



A friend of mine, who was a capital shot, and 

 could give pepper in more ways than one, was 

 invited to a grand battue by a noble lord, who had 



