CHAPTER II. 



FOX-HUNTING. 



Naturally, the first object of the novice must be to 

 choose the pack of hounds with which he intends to 

 hunt. In his choice he must be guided, to a large 

 extent, by the advice of his friends. If he lives in the 

 country he will probably hunt with the local pack, 

 where he will be known to many members of the 

 hunt, who will give him more information than we 

 can. One piece of information, hov/ever, they will not 

 give him unless he asks for it, namely, the amount 

 which he ought to subscribe to the hunt funds. This 

 amount varies in different packs, but a general rule 

 may be laid down, that a man who hunts one day a 

 week should subscribe ten guineas ; three days a 

 fortnight, fifteen guineas; two days a week, twenty 

 guineas. If he hunts more than two days a week, he 

 may adopt a sliding scale, remembering that it is always 

 best to err upon the side of generosity. In some 

 provincial packs the amount may be less which he is 

 expected to subscribe. In the shires, i.e. the Belvoir, 

 the Cottesmore, the Quorn, and the Pytchley, it is 

 more, twenty-five guineas being the lowest subscrip- 

 tion for a man who rides in pink. This subscription 

 should be sent to the secretary of the Hunt before the 



