47 



temper which individuals normally correct in their 

 behaviour, but of which they are occasionally guilty in 

 the hunting field. At these moments we are each and all 

 liable to transgress the common laws of courtesy, to do 

 and say things which in calmer moments afoot we should 

 never dream it was in our nature to do or say. Of 

 course, these temporary ebulitions of temper are entirely 

 the fault of the horse — no doubt about it — that animal 

 being responsible for conveying to his rider a natural 

 waj^wardness of disposition. The men with faihng nerve 

 are more susceptible to this baleful influence, and he who 

 becomes irritable on the slightest provocation can be set 

 down as having lost that necessary adjunct to a horse- 

 man. The good feeling, the humour and the pleasure of 

 the hunting field can only be properly enjoyed if all and 

 sundry are affected with the friendly spirit of the sport. 

 For this reason, we should exercise a stern control over 

 our words and actions, more particularly on those 

 mornings when " liver " or other complications have 

 disturbed somewhat our usual serene frame of mjnd. 

 A colHsion in a gateway may or may not have been your 

 fault, and it is always a difficult matter to decide. But 

 whatever you may think, common poHteness demands an 

 apology. This is only one of a hundred little incidents 

 that may happen in the course of a day, and though 

 sometimes our tempers be severely strained we must keep 

 our tongues in check. We go hunting to enjoy ourselves, 

 and any unpleasantness that is allowed to develop into 

 words spoils the cheeriness and destroys the glamour that 

 sport should convey to all. 



I have dealt rather fully with this subject because at 

 the beginning of the season we ought to start out with 

 good resolutions. 



An old stager may perhaps offer a few words of advice 



