36 



THE BEST SEASON OX RECORD. 



otiier, holding a gate open till the next comer can catch 

 it. Of course the chances are they come out of countries 

 where the fences are to be jumped anywhere, and where 

 the gates are never the sole means of exit for a large 

 body of horsemen. But they would do well (if I may be 

 forgiven for putting it so plainly) to realise that where, 







" HOLDING GATE OPEN FOR NEXT COMER." 



as in the Midlands, a single gap is the only place at 

 which a fence can be jumped, and where gates are often 

 the only possible outlet, the immense fields which they 

 come to swell cannot possibly get quickly and fairly over 

 a country, unless each individual will take only his own 

 turn, and is ready to pass on the assistance that he 

 expects from his predecessor. Of course there are 

 sinners in our very midst ; but they must be endowed 



