Fox-himting Past and Present 



enjoyed." Beckford makes some distinction be- 

 tween managing a pack of hounds and hunting 

 them. 



Various are the opinions as to the best man 

 to fill the position of M.F.H. The great ques- 

 tion hinges on the style of man himself. We 

 all know the ease and readiness with which 

 people find fault. It may be of interest to quote 

 ^'Gentleman" Smith's— a former M.F.H. of the 

 Pytchley and Craven Hunts — ideas of a perfect 

 huntsman. '' He should possess health, memory, 

 decision, temper, and patience, voice and sight, 

 courage and spirits, perseverance, activity ; and 

 with these he will soon make a bad pack a good 

 one. If quick, he will make a slow pack quick ; 

 if slow, he will make a quick pack slow." Mr. 

 Smith continues, " But first, to become a good 

 one he must have a fair chance, and should 

 not be interfered with by any one after leaving 

 the meet. Granted he is in the master's con- 

 fidence. . . . He should be able to think for 

 himself when hounds check." Beckford's quali- 

 fications are to be summed up in the single w^ord 

 '^ youth." Doubtless perpetual evergreenness is 

 a most desirable attribute. The old head on 

 young shoulders is probably the one attribute 

 referred to. 



A man may certainly be born to become 



a huntsman. We have heard Mr. C. M'Neill 



34 



