FOX-HUNTING
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—May I be permitted to register a mild perplexity as to the lack of harmony between two schools of defenders ? The one—represented, for instance, by " Naturalist "- maintains that the fox is not in the least afraid of the hounds, and really enjoys the hunt as much as anyone (leaving us with a charming mental picture—after Aldin—of huntsmen, hounds, and fox all romping together like a group of children at play). Against this reassuring optimism we have the admission of the more realistic hunting school—represented by Sir William Burton—that hunting, whatever its merits, does certainly imply an element of cruelty to the unfortunate fox.
Who, then, shall decide when huntsmen disagree ? Pending the opinion of the fox it would, one feels, be most charitable to give the animal the benefit of the doubt ; and, incidentally, credit it with at least half the intelligence of the cat, which
hops over the - nearest -fence- the moment a terrier's nose becomes visible. -
. .
Sir William Burton considers that the cruelty of hunting is more than compensated for by the fine qualities which the sport is said to breed in its followers. " Quick- decision, dash, courage, friendship; forbearance, consideration for others" (excluding, I suppose, the fox) - -this list of virtues which the huntsmen arc so conscious of possessing is, indeed, formidable. I have no desire to question it. But. I cannot help feeling that • there is not one of these qualities which cannot be bred as well, or better, by cricket, football, tennis; athletics, or a dozen other sports which are a little more humane and a lot more suited to ao.age supposedly-civilized. . To find one's pleasure in killing living creatures is a definite survival of the grosser instincts of the savage ; and one who indulges in such pleasure must remain--with all respect to him, and in spite. of his consideration for others—incom- pletely civilized. And those who wish to see man justifying his proud boast that he is the highest of all living species may well hope that the growing feeling against all bloodthirsty sports will eventually effect its- improvement in the conduct of the human race towards its felloW creatures.--I am, .
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