FOX-HUNTING 53 



rooted antipathy to foxes and fox-hunting, but that is 

 no reason why he should shoot the fox. 



We have often heard a man say that he would 

 rather be an M.F.H. than a Peer of the realm. The 

 social prestige of an M.F.H. is undoubtedly great; 

 indeed in many counties it is second only to that of the 

 Lord-Lieutenant ; but his labour is still greater. Many 

 good sportsmen are apt to think only of his work in 

 the field, and to disregard his work in the kennels and 

 in the study. His correspondence alone is enormous. 

 He is deluged with letters claiming compensation for 

 damages done by foxes or by horsemen. He is in con- 

 tinual communication with covert-owners and land- 

 owners. He receives complaints of every sort, kind, 

 and description. Upon his shoulders lies the anxiety 

 of maintaining, and, if possible, increasing the standard 

 of his hounds by the judicious breeding, drafting, 

 and purchasing of puppies. He has to choose not only 

 his own horses, but the horses of the hunt servants. 

 He has to propitiate the farmers and covert-owners, and 

 must take care to offend nobody interested in the hunt. 

 It follows, ex necessitate rei, that he must have plenty 

 of money and plenty of time to spare, and must enjoy 

 a large personal popularity to enable him to fulfil his 

 multifarious duties. The debt of gratitude which we 

 owe to him is too great to be paid, but we can by 

 courtesy and though tfuln ess do much to lessen his 

 worries in the field, and prove our appreciation of the 

 sacrifices which he has undoubtedly made on our 

 behalf. For a man who devotes the major portion of 

 his time to providing us with amusement ought to 

 receive more courtesy than that which is generally 

 extended from one gentleman to another. Don't 

 hesitate to catch his horse for him if he gets a fall 



