THE HUNTING OF WILD DEER
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] hope I may be allowed to congratulate the great Society in Jermyn Street on its fine determination to go forward with its formidable powers and its ancient prestige and lead us. all in an assault upon the chasing to death of stags and hinds.
We who have fought this fight from the beginning have never fora moment lost our faith in the natural kindliness of the mass of Englishmen, and in their desire to put an end to misery and pain in the world about them wherever and by whomsoever it is caused.
The R.S.P.C.A. will now proceed with dignity and power to the task before it. It will no doubt begin with a grave and measured remonstrance addressed to the Master and supporters of the Exmoor stag hunt ;. and in view of the indubitable fact that in making that remonstrance the Society will be representing that vast mass of the people of England, it is earnestly. to. be hoped that no attempt at defiance will be made in response to it, but that the Masteiand his friends will recognize that the time has come to abandon a practice, and turn away for ever from a pastime that is repugnant to their fellow countrymen.
I will not to-day anticipate any other result. The dawn of a better day is before us, our cause is sacred, and we shall never cease to believe that upon the merciful there must descend the blessing of God.—I am, Sir, &c.,
STEPHEN COLERIDGE.
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