JOINING A HUNT. 341 



up wire, and hunt in a strange country. Of such is the 

 kingdom of Satan. 



Warburton feelingly sings : 



" I honour that sportsman, whatever his rank 

 Whose heart heaves a sigh when his gorse is drawn blank." 



JOINING A HUNT. 



The best course of action which a stranger who wishes to 

 join a hunt, can adopt, is to call on the Secretary, tell him 

 his intentions, and conform to the usages of the hunt in the 

 matter of subscription, etc. He will find the addresses of 

 all the hunt secretaries in Baitys Hunting Directory, from 

 which he can obtain a great deal of information about 

 different packs. The following rates of subscription are taken 

 chiefly from that book : 



Blencathra. " The minimum subscription is 2s. 6d." 



Eskdale. " All subscriptions are accepted ; these vary from 

 three guineas to one shilling." 



East Essex. The minimum subscription is IDS. 6d. 



Mid-Devon. The minimum subscription is 1 is. 



Craven. The minimum subscription is \Q. 



Blackmore Vale. " Gentlemen are expected to subscribe 

 according to number of horses they keep, and amount 

 they hunt." 



Cottesmore. Minimum subscription for whole season is 

 25 ; for half 15. Ladies are expected to subscribe. 



Mr. Fernie's and the Pytchley. Minimum subscription is 

 25. An increased subscription would be expected from a 

 family with more than one hunting member. 



Whaddon Chase. The minimum subscription is 35. 



Grafton. The minimum subscription is " 35 payable in 

 advance. This does not entitle a non-resident to bring a 

 friend." 



