224 FOX-HUNTING 



have repeatedly seen a woman lead a whole field 

 over ground where the pack intended to cast 

 themselves. The woman, instead of attending to 

 what hounds are doing, enters into a conversation 

 with a man, and together they walk on without 

 paying heed to the damage they may do. My 

 dear sisters, please forgive me calling you to 

 order, but if you would only keep silent when 

 hounds are at fault, and stand quite still, you 

 might perhaps shame your admirers into better 

 behaviour, and thereby be the means of further- 

 ing the interests of sport. 



There are certain rules of the hunting-field 

 which it is incumbent on you to observe, not 

 only for your own safety, but also for the welfare 

 of the general community. The most important 

 of these is to ride at a direct right angle to the 

 fence you intend to jump. If you espy an easier 

 place either to the right or left, you must look 

 behind first to see if you will cross any one else 

 by taking advantage of it. You should be at 

 least two hundred yards ahead of a man when 

 you cross him, but it is difficult to state an 

 exact distance, as much depends on the pace he 

 is going. If, however, there is room for you to 



