174 ROYAL ROCK DEAGLE HUNT. 



1R.1R.JB. 1I^onn^5 at Mork. 



"Hark ! what good sport is out of town to-day I " 



Troiliis and Cress iiia, net i, sci'iic i. 



Tb.e selection of liounds to be taken out lumting (with our small pack 

 it is more si;n[)le to select those to be left behind) varies according to the 

 distance and time of the meet, the country and probable severity of the 

 work, and the condition of the individual hounds. About ten to twelve 

 couple is now considered to be the fittest number; in the olden days of the 

 R.R.B. they used to take out as many as fifteen to twenty couple, sixteen 

 coujile being the commonest number. 



Ui) to a few years ago the huntsman and hounds had to walk to and 

 from even the most distant meet, which would be Hoylake, giving them a 

 twenty mile tramp in addition to the hunting. This was considered to be 

 too severe on both man and beast ; accordingly a van was purchased, and 

 since then the hounds are "vanned'' to all Saturday meets which are over 

 six miles distant from the kennels. 



In the eaily part of this century, there existed somewhere a pack of lap- 

 dog beagles, which were so small that they had to be carried to the meet in a 

 pair of panniers slung across a horse. 



My hoarse-sounding horn 

 Invites thee to the chase, the sport of kings, 

 Image of war without its guilt. 



The wise experienced huntsman soon may find 

 His subtle various game, nor waste in vain 

 His tedious hours, till his impatient hoimds 

 With disappointment vex'd, each springing lark 

 Babbling pursue, far scatter'd o'er the fields. 



Soincrvilc. 



A Master likes to see his field doing their duty in trying to find a hare. 

 The beaglers should spread well over the fallows and turnips, so as to give as 

 little chtmce as possible of leaving a hare behind. AVhen a hare is found, all 

 is merry for a short time, the hounds are put on the line, and away they go 

 with a delightful burst of music, cheering to the heart of the anxious Master. 

 When, as with us now, the Master acts as huntsman in the field, his work is 

 cut out for him. He tries his best to get near his hounds and kee|) with 

 them. If scent is goo.l, this is all his trouble, as the hounds will then do all 

 the hunting for themselves, but if it is bad or catchy, a check soon occurs, 

 antl the huntsman has to bring his best skill to bear in assisting the hounds 

 with a cast. It cannot too often be impressed on the fieUl, that they should 

 not press closely on the hounds. When hounds " throw up," everyone 

 should stop on the instant, and not move forward again till the line is 

 recovered. Perfect silence should at this time prevail, as hounds at fault are 



