278 HUNTING MISERIES: 



will find there the dates of the birth of many well- 

 known professionals who have been so long before 

 the world that they are looked uj)on as old men, but 

 the figures tell a different tale. The life for half 

 the year is a hard one, and few men can stand the 

 shaking falls that come at some time or other without 

 feeling lasting effects as the years pass by. 



Dear me, dear me ! How I have been rioting ! All 

 this has arisen from contemplation of the risks the 

 Hunt servants must run if the M.F.H., too sanguine 

 or too anxious to please his field, decides to move 

 on to covert. But what I have written may stand : 

 perhaps it may prompt some of my readers to send 

 a subscription to the Hunt Servants' Benefit Society — 

 an organisation which has pre-eminent claims on all 

 hunting men. 



What I had in mind is the responsibility that rests 

 on the Master in these doubtful days. Humanity 

 bids him consider well his decision, apart from 

 economic reasons. Seldom in any country do bridle- 

 roads and by-lanes enable Hunt servants to get to 

 their hounds without jumping if they are required to 

 stop them, while in Ireland the idea is quite im- 

 practicable, for there are no bridle-paths and not too 

 many gates. Altogether it is a matter for most serious 

 consideration. However, to make the best of it, the 

 gathering at a meet is always a pleasant one; so we 

 mount, and seeking a sunny spot to move about in, 

 await the decision of the man in authority. He 

 will, of course, " give the day a chance," so we 

 have time for much pleasant conversation, and hear 

 opinions on the state of Europe and other things. 



