50 FIELD MASTERS AND HUNTSMEN, 



trusting to get " on their sterns " as usual, by jump- 

 ing three fences instead of going through the gate 

 at which the Field Master stands. And Rapid, too, 

 confound him ! Regardless of rule, that determined 

 youth has jumped into the gorse and struggled 

 through, much to the wrath of our official. 



What a time he has had, poor Field Master ! Why 

 was he not gifted with a fine natural flow of language 

 like Jack Spraggon to bar the way across the gate, 

 then turn round, and poaching three lengths, sing 

 out, "Now, ye tinkers, we'll start fair"? 



He must ride up, too, must the Field Master, and 

 he always " on the premises," or he is of no more 

 use to the huntsman than "a side pocket to a cow, 

 or a frilled shirt to a pig," as Mr. Soapey Sponge 

 elegantly put it. 



What chance will' hounds have if they suddenly 

 come upon cattle-stain when such fiery enthusiasts 

 as Spurrier and Rapid are thundering along in their 

 wake, determined that no soul shall live between 

 themselves and the pack, if one who has iautho- 

 rity be not very handy to administer caution and 

 rebuke ? 



It goes without saying that the Field Master, who 

 is of course en rappoi^t with the huntsman, must be 

 possessed of powers which are approved and acknow- 

 ledged by all who are members of the Hunt; and 

 it foMows that these powers should be bestowed 

 upon him by the said members. I am told that the 

 election of a Field Master should be a matter con- 

 ducted by voting, each member sending in the 

 name of the person he considers best qualified to 



