22 FOX-HUNTING 



of the field, then, when they have exhausted their 

 vocabulary without satisfying their combativeness, 

 they can dismount and use nature's weapons, 

 when no one will be the wiser. I think also we 

 should be especially tolerant of the mistakes and 

 sins of the man who appears in the hunting-field 

 for the first time. He is ignorant of all the 

 unwritten laws which govern our behaviour, and 

 when he commits a fault, he does it because he 

 knows no better. If you see him steering wildly 

 down for the place you had selected, pull on one 

 side and let him go, for you may be certain he 

 will not trouble you long, but will be reposing 

 happily at the bottom of a ditch before hounds 

 have run five minutes. Do not, however, spoil 

 the poor man's short-lived pleasure by swearing 

 at him, but rather take some other opportunity 

 of explaining to him quietly the laws which he 

 has transgressed. The lady novice comes in for 

 her share of blame, and though she may not get 

 sworn at, black looks will soon explain the 

 situation. For her also I would crave indulgence, 

 and if she becomes a regular offender, you can 

 ask her male friends to tell her in what way 

 she is doing wrong. In whatever way we may 



