286 SOME HUMOURS OF THE CHASE 



favourite, he was not dependent entirely on canine 

 or equestrian performances for his day's pleasure. 



A man like my friend perhaps derives more steady, 

 uninterrupted pleasure from the hunting-field than the 

 greatest enthusiast on the subject of fox-hunting 

 who rides out on a hunting morning with a mind so 

 full of anticipation of the joys of the chase that the 

 many disappointments which, alas ! most days bring 

 have a very disturbing effect upon his equanimity. If, 

 however, this more severe order of sportsman be 

 also blest with an appreciation of the humours of the 

 hunting-field, they will prove his salvation when he 

 kicks his boots off after a poor day, and retires to his 

 snuggery to ruminate thereon. 



It seems rather unfair that so much we find amusing 

 out hunting should be afforded us, and often most 

 unwittingly, by the principal performers in the piece — 

 the M.F.H. himself, or his huntsman ; yet such, I am 

 afraid, is the case. His sayings and doings are noted 

 and commented on by all ; words uttered in moments 

 of irritation — " cuss words," perhaps, as our American 

 cousins call them — are repeated, and perhaps slightly 

 elaborated, not in any spirit of mischief, but merely 

 because, from their extreme earnestness, they sounded 

 amusing ; and undoubtedly some of the best of our 

 well-known hunting stories, which, like " The Grouse 

 in the Gun-room," never grow stale, are founded on 

 the expostulations or repartees of certain celebrated 

 Masters of Hounds. 



It has appeared to me that an amateur huntsman 

 after a season or two becomes possessed of a wonderful 

 aptness in reply, which seldom fails to amuse, and also 



