xlvi 



be formed so as to defend ourselves from the attacks of our enernie?, 

 written by me as it was some time in 1892, was given effect to in the 

 summer of 1894 by the starting of the Sporting League. I don't suppose 

 that my observations would have had any effect, but at all events, 

 what I wrote, and which was in print in the spring of 1894, would have 

 come to light a year hefore instead of a year after the Sporting League, 

 had my original publishers paid even ordinary attention to the business 

 I so foolishly entrusted them with. 



The Agricultural Question. — The same remarks apply to what 

 I say at p. 418, with regard to the agricultural question and the 

 next election, for a resolution identical with what I suggested was 

 passed at a meeting presided over by Lord Winchelsea, and held at 

 Anderton's Hotel, London, on July 31, 1894, while letters appeared in 

 The Field advocating the very same measure. The " next general elec- 

 tion " is now a matter of history, and there can be no doubt whatever 

 that the result, giving the Conservatives the greatest majority that any 

 party have had in the House of Commons for over sixty years, was 

 brought about to a very great extent by the way sportsmen and farmers 

 pulled together, and, in some places, the labourers. Now that they 

 have the power it is to be hoped that measures beneficial to the farming 

 interest may be adopted by our great party — and that ivithout delay. 



