I VERY much enjoyed reading the letter from Rodney Hale, Caring Tory pro-hunting, Gazette Postbag, February 24.

William Blake is one of my favourite poets. Mr Hale quotes from Auguries of Innocence, a wonderful poem but not one, taken in its entirety, that does much for the anti-hunting cause.

Mr Hale goes on to ask how Mel Stride would explain to children his intention to vote for repeal of the Hunting Act.

Mr Stride could do no better than to follow Mr Hale's example and quote from Blake.

Perhaps the opening of The Schoolboy, from Songs of Experience, would do:

I love to rise on a summer morn,

When the birds sing on every tree;

The distant huntsman winds his horn,

And the sky-lark sings with me.

O, what sweet company.'

JONATHAN HIGGINS Dartington, Totnes