lso.
The war, however, has struck hard at hunting in the British Isles.
Baily's Hunting Directory for 1915-16, says:

"Hunting has given her best, for of those who have gone from the hunting
field to join the colors, the masters lead, as they have led in more
happy days, with a tale of over 80 per cent. of their number, the hunt
secretaries following with over 50 per cent., while the hunt servants
show over 30 per cent. No exact data are available to tell of the
multitude from the rank and file that has followed this magnificent
lead, excepting that from all the hunts there comes the same report,
that practically every man fit for service has responded to the call."

It is estimated that 17,000 horses were drafted from hunting for the
cavalry in England at the beginning of the war; and it is to be noticed
that so soon after the outbreak as July, 1915, the "Directory" published
a list of names of well-known hunting men killed in action, which
occupied more than seven large pages printed in small type.

Under the heading "Incidents of the 1914-15 Season" are to be found many
items of curious early war-time interest, a few of which I quote:

Lady Stalbridge announces willingness to act as field master of the
South and West Wilts Hounds during her husband's absence in France.

Lieutenant Charles Romer Williams took out to the front a pack of
beagles, with which the officers of the Second Cavalry Brigade
hoped to hunt Belgian hares.

Capt. E.K. Bradbury, a member of the Cahir Harriers, earned the
V.C. at Nery, but died from wounds.

The Grafton Hounds have seventy-six followers with the colors.

Admiral Sir David Beatty, of North Sea fame, has a hunting box at
Brooksby Hall, in the Melton Mowbray country.

Five members of the Crawley and Horsham Hounds have been killed,
three wounded, and two are missing.

Quorn fields down to about 30, instead of 300 last season.

Captain the Honorable R.B.F. Robertson (Twenty-first Lancers) a
prisoner of war. He took over the North Tipperary Hounds in May,
and, of course, did not get a chance to have any sport.

We now learn that the French authorities have discouraged
fox-hunting behind the fighting lines. So did the Germans. One day
British hounds took up the scent on their own initiative. The usual
followers had bigger game afoot, and were in the thick of an
engagement.