58 



allowing his temper to get out of hand. Even in the 

 most flagrant case of over-riding or other misdemeanour, 

 a few well-chosen, biting words uttered in a cool voice 

 will have more effect than a string of bad language in 

 heated accents. 



Without further preamble let it at once be understood 

 that our sympathies are always with the master, but 

 that does not bhnd us to the fact that if the field owe 

 him unswerving loyalty, he is equally under obUgation 

 to make their days agreeable. First and foremost he 

 should remember that hunting is a recreation ; that we 

 all go out to enjoy ourselves and have a good time, 

 which is apt to be spoilt by an outbreak of ill-temper in 

 the master. The good feeUng and sportsmanship of the 

 hunting-field between all classes are some of its greatest 

 charms, so that any friction likely to cause unpleasant- 

 ness should be rigidly avoided. 



There is good reason to suppose that men occasionally 

 take on the duties and responsibihties of mastership 

 without reaUzing the serious obHgations entailed. 



Perhaps it may be logically said that their first duty is 

 to the committee and the members of the hunt ; but 

 apart from all questions of sport and finance, the weKare 

 of a country Ues with the landowners and occupiers. 

 It is the business of the master to know both these 

 sections personally and to estabhsh friendly relations. 

 This cannot be done with success unless the M.F.H. fives 

 in the district and spends most of his time there. 



During the hunting season he has few spare moments 

 for such obHgations and must devote a large portion of 

 the summer to that purpose. In fact, it can truly be 

 said that the good management and control of a country 

 is not done in the winter, but in those months when 

 hounds are in kennel. 



