CHAPTER X 



LUNCHES, &c. 



" Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone ; 

 We have a trifling foolish banquet towards."' 



Romeo and Juliet, act i, scene 3. 



On tliose occasions when the Hunt is invited to partake of the hospi- 

 tahty of some kind friend to luncii, or it may be to tea after hunting, it is 

 understood by etiquette to be "open liouse" for cU the members, and any 

 stranger who is out on a member's invitation ; but no casual stranger should 

 venture in, unless specially invited by the host or by the Master of the 

 liounds. Up to the last dozen years it was quite a common practice for the 

 R.R.B. to have luncheon meets, but of late years it has been a recognized 

 rule for the hospitality of our friends to take the form of tea after the sport 

 is over. This is a marked improvement over luiich before or during hunting, 

 and we are quite fortunate in having a welcome of this kind at those meets 

 where our usual modest "'pub." is not available. The I'lymyard and Raby 

 House stand high in the regard of the R.R.B. Hunt: and it is to be feared 

 that, with ail our care to get the mud off our boots, we must in the course 

 of years have conveyed a considerable amount of mother earth into these 

 liospitable mansions. 



Luncheon before hunting is a sad spoil-sport. Not only does it occupy 

 a considerable portion of the most valuable period of time, but it knocks off 

 a lot of energy from the sportsmen. It is only the very young and enthusi- 

 astic who care for a hard run after a sumptuous meal. 



Tiie early records of the R.R.B. provide some instructive and enter- 

 taining incidents in this relation. They met many times each season at 

 Woodchurch, and that good old sportsman, Rector King, always welcomed 

 them to luncii, but there is one pathetic entry in 1848: — "Woodchurch. 

 '• No one at home at the Rectory, so we turned out punctually. ..." 

 A desperate case is recorded, December 30th, 1846. 



Claufjhton Hall, 2 p.m. A splendid lunch was provided for the Hunt bv 

 William Jackson, Esq. Only two members attended. Threw oft" at 3 p.m. ; 

 fotmd on Oxton. and after about thirty minutes' liuntint,', whipped off." 



