268 THE IMAGE OF WAE 



are few bad professional huntsmen, because a bad 

 huntsman rarely gets a chance to carry the horn, 

 and if he does he will not hold the appointment 

 long. But if a bad amateur has plenty of money 

 he can always get a country. 



I don't seem to have had very much experience of 

 harriers somehow, and yet I think there is very often 

 a great deal of individuality about the '* M.H." Both 

 in England and in Ireland I have seen oddities, but 

 more amusing ones to see than to read of The typical 

 Master of Harriers of my acquaintance was the late 

 Mr Chorley of the "Q.H.," and his hounds were as 

 typical as himself In fact, with the exception of 

 Mr Sperling's, I don't think I ever saw a better 

 pack. I remember hunting with one in the Shires, 

 which was said to be kept by what Jorrocks called 

 a "Lord High Keeper" — i.e., of a private asylum. 

 It was said that there were separate days for the 

 patients, but, if true, I am sorry to say it was 

 never my privilege to happen upon these. The 

 Master, whom I first met on Exmoor, was a very 

 good fellow. 



I do not remember anything particular about 

 Masters of Drag -hounds except that I hunted with 

 one who was then called Major (or perhaps 

 Lieutenant - Colonel) French, and who is rather 

 better known nowadays. One reason for mention- 

 ing this is that Bailys Hunting Directory, usually 

 so correct, says that the Aldershot Drag - hounds 

 were "started in 1907." Sir John French was 

 Master in 1884; and what is referred to is probably 

 a revival. 



