VERBUM SAP. 243 



knowing that no one ever grudges the voluntary con- 

 tribution. As a matter of fact, the drivers at this 

 place are the best I have ever seen. Cheerfully, 

 quickly, and willingly will they slip round an extra 

 two or three miles after a hot exhausting day to fetch 

 in a big lot of birds which have broken out that they 

 may give you one more good drive. 



Nothing is a surer indicatiorrofthe temper of the 

 beaters than the time they consume in getting round 

 and into their places for a fresh drive, whilst you im- 

 patiently pace up and down, munching grasses and 

 fingering the lock of your gun ; and time is of great 

 value and importance out shooting when there is a 

 good bag to be made. Good beaters, whose move- 

 ments are rapid and willing, contribute very largely to 

 the success of the operations and the magnitude of 

 the bag. They must be considered in a humane and 

 friendly manner, due arrangements made for their rest 

 and lunch, and some forethought exercised to prevent 

 their being exposed for an unnecessarily long time to 

 rain, snow, or cold when there is no object to be 

 gained by it. One should remember that the contrast 

 between their simple and frugal mode of life and 

 the luxurious habits of modern country-house exist- 

 ence is never more closely brought home to them 

 than on the occasion of a shooting party ; and one 



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