166 HUNTING IN THE MIDLANDS 



been fatally injured as a sport by railways. The 

 truth of the proposition is extremely questionable, 

 and it may be dismissed in almost the same breath 

 as the sinister predictions which are never verified 

 of certain naval and military officers on the subject 

 of the inevitable destiny of their respective services. 

 Eailways have no doubt disturbed the domestic 

 tranquillity of the fox family, and have compelled 

 its various members to forsake in some instances 

 the ancient Lares and Penates. But the havoc 

 which the science of man has wrought, the skill of 

 man has obviated. Foxes are quite as dear to 

 humanity as they can be to themselves ; and in 

 proportion as the natural dwellings of foxes have 

 been destroyed artificial homes have been provided 

 for them. Moreover, railways have had the effect 

 of bringing men together, and of establishing all 

 over the country new fox-hunting centres. Hunting 

 wants money, and railways have brought men with 

 money to the spots at which they were needed. 

 They have, so to speak, placed the hunting field at 

 the very doors of the dwellers in town. In London 

 a man may breakfast at home, have four or live 

 hours' hunting fifty miles away from the metro- 

 politan chimney-pots, and find himself seated at his 

 domestic mahogany for a seven o'clock dinner. Nor 

 is it necessary for the inhabitant of London to go 



