40 HUNTING 



which plans are constantly frustrated by another 

 *' earth stopper," whose duty it is to " put to " the earths 

 on his " stop " upon receiving due notice. The earths 

 are " put to " early in the morning in that district or 

 " stop " to which it is likely a fox will run for refuge, 

 so as to prevent him " going to ground," and saving his 

 life, or, as it is termed, " saving his brush," for it is 

 extremely difficult to dislodge a fox from his " earth," 

 and many M.F.H.'s consider it unsportsmanlike to dig 

 them out, with which opinion we cordially agree. The 

 fox has run well to save his brush, and should be 

 allowed to live to run boldly anotlier day. 



It will be seen that the success of the day's sport 

 depends in the first place upon the efficiency of the 

 " earth stopper." We must now proceed to the meet, 

 which takes place either at 10.15 a.m., 11 a.m., or 11.15 

 a.m., according to the convenience of the M.F.H. and 

 the time of year. Sometimes, though not often, it 

 takes place at 11.30 a.m. during the latter end of 

 March. But at 10.45 a.m. the fox has had time to 

 rest himself, and, unless he has not gorged himself 

 during the night, is fit to run for his brush. 



To the foreigner, the social aspect of a meet of fox- 

 hounds is one of the most wonderful sights which 

 English society can show. At no other function can 

 he see such a genial honne camarade7He, and yet there 

 is a certain air of business about the gathering which 

 tells one that every member of the crowd has come out 

 to hunt, and not to enjoy a winter picnic. But he will 

 have to make his observations quickly. The old system 

 of hunt breakfasts and coffee-housing is disappearing, or 

 has disappeared. Little law is given to late comers. 

 Punctuality is the order of the day, or, as Mr Jorrocks 

 observed, "the perliteness of princes;" and within a 



