72 Horse and Hound. 



thoroughly and keenly enjoyed by an enthusiastic 

 and genuine fox-hunter. 



To my mind the fascinating uncertainty of 

 success in hunting, is one of the greatest charms 

 that appeals to the hunter and adds chief est zest 

 to the sport; in drag-hunting this is all missing. 



However, it is fortunate that we do not all 

 feel and act alike, for if all the sportsmen in the 

 world took to fox-hunting, what a strenuous life 

 the fox would lead. 



A drag-hunter will enlarge upon the merits of 

 his horse, of which he is generally a most excel- 

 lent judge and admirer; tell you to an inch the 

 height and number of fences he jumped, who took 

 a cropper, what a glorious "run" he had, but 

 never mention a hound or anything about their 

 work; in fact, he regards horses and riding as 

 the whole thing, and hounds as mere accessories. 



Not so with the fox-hunter; he jumps fences 

 or knocks them down, it is immaterial to him 

 which, so he is not delayed; is in the saddle ten 

 or twelve hours, and incidentally in several coun- 

 ties during the run ; he reaches home probably at 

 midnight in a drenching rain, cold, wet, and 

 hungry, takes a night-cap and sleeps like a log. 

 Blow your horn at his gate at daylight and in- 

 form him you are off for a hunt and see if any 

 power on earth can keep him from accompanying 

 you. While en route to cover ask him about his 

 run of the previous day, and he will go over every 



