SIR,—It is greatly to be hoped that the Civil List Committee will decline to sanction any re-endowment of the Royal Buckhounds.
So long as the law permits the worrying of semi-domesticated animals, it is open to anyone to indulge in such a practice at his own expense and responsibility. But we strongly protest against the injustice of re-imposting on the national exchequer the cost of a sporting establishment which is now desired only by a clique of interested persons, while it has come to be regarded with disgust and abhorrence by a large number of citizens who have a right to be considered. On the list of those who have signed memorials against the Hunt are members of both Houses of Parliament, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many leading Churchmen and Nonconformists, heads of colleges and great public schools, distinguished authors, and various well-known men and women representing all sections of society.
When it is remembered, too, that the Buckhounds are condemned by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of which the King is a Patron, and the Duke of Cornwall and York is President, and that Queen Victoria had been strongly opposed to stag-hunting for many years past, it is difficult to believe that the King will desire, or that the House of Commons will permit the further expenditure of public money on this contemptible sport.
Yours faithfully,
Henry S. Salt,
Hon. Sec., Humanitarian League,
53, Chancery Lane, W.C.
The Vegetarian, Vol. XIV No. 15, April 13, 1901, p. 150