ii6 FOX-HUNTING 



time, and not rush away directly one season is 

 at an end, returning only for the beginning of 

 the next. It is in the summer that he can 

 become personally acquainted with the farmers 

 in the hunt, and allay the friction that has been 

 caused during the previous winter. There will 

 be many little grievances which he will find can 

 be easily smoothed away with tact and when 

 attended to personally, but if left entirely to the 

 secretary, they may assume grave proportions. 

 Farmers always prefer to be interviewed by the 

 Master direct, and a few honeyed words from 

 him are of more avail than much money from 

 the coffers of the hunt. I do not think farmers 

 are singular in this respect, and I believe every one 

 likes to deal with the principal instead of with a 

 paid official. It is not the fault of the secretaries, 

 as they generally do the work more for love 

 of the sport than for a salary, and are nearly 

 always most conscientious ; but the farmer con- 

 siders he is entitled to a personal interview with 

 the Master, and rather resents being put off 

 with an agent. 



There are many other things that the Master 

 will find to do in the summer, all of which 



