84 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



drawn up, that there can be any opportunity for 

 fraud ; if any such practices are detected, the 

 Master and Committee surely do not require 

 outside authority to punish the evil-doer. I 

 believe the prospects of hunting for the future 

 would be brighter than they are if there had been 

 no interference by associations. The very fact 

 of there being a sort of higher tribunal to appeal 

 to has encouraged discontented farmers and the 

 anti-sport fraternity to ventilate many supposed 



grievances. 



Many books have been written on the science 

 of hunting hounds. No theoretical knowledge 

 can ever teach a man how to handle a pack of 

 hounds, or even dogs of any sort, unless he is 

 born with the intuition indispensable to the job. 

 Hence the pinnacle of glory attained by some 

 notable huntsmen, and the adverse and almost 

 contemptuous criticism passed on those who fail. 

 Of those great huntsmen the late Tom Firr stands 

 foremost. It is said that he had such extra- 

 ordinary control over his hounds, such a far- 

 reaching yet melodious voice, that he did not 

 require the assistance of whippers-in. Hounds 

 had such confidence that they would fly to his 

 cheer or his view-holloa. Professional huntsmen 

 are generally credited with superior skill in handling 

 hounds, but many gentlemen have tackled the job 



