THE ART ITSELF 167 



mind about their looks if they are good per- 

 formers and can go a fair pace, but get as much 

 breeding as you can, and avoid the hairy heel. 

 Of course you must mount yourself well, and 

 do not attempt to make a horse when you are 

 hunting hounds ; but if you wish to economise 

 by buying unmade hunters, school them on off- 

 days, or take them out with a neighbouring pack. 



Everything is now ready for a start: your 

 whips have their new coats on, and are looking 

 very neat with white neckcloths, cord-breeches, 

 and well-cleaned boots. You must clothe your 

 men, and it is no cheaper to turn them out in 

 a slovenly fashion than to do it neatly. Buck- 

 skin breeches look very smart for hunt-servants, 

 but they would be out of place except in a 

 fashionable country, and you must remember 

 our little pack is in the provinces. 



I have already given you a word of warning 

 about taking hounds on slowly to the meet, and 

 about giving them plenty of room on the road. 

 Now I think we cannot do better than accom- 

 pany you on your opening day, and see if the 

 pack have improved since that first morning cub- 

 hunting. 



