RIDING AND DRIVING 67 



but if he appears at the meet in unorthodox cos- 

 tume he is not showing a proper respect to the 

 master or the hunt. 



For the man or boy who hunts only once or twice 

 in the season, it would be absurd to turn out in the 

 full war-paint of the chase, but the regular follower 

 of hounds should always wear a red coat. A red 

 coat, however, demands certain accessories, and to 

 omit any detail is an unpardonable sin. The high 

 silk hat, top-boots, white breeches, and white neck- 

 cloth are absolutely indispensable when the sports- 

 man desires to don pink. It would be better for 

 a man to appear in the hunting field in his shirt 

 sleeves than for him to be guilty of wearing a 

 scarlet coat with jack-boots. 



The breeches may be made of any material the 

 wearer chooses, but they must be white and of a 

 good fit. Buckskins when properly cleaned look 

 better than anything else, and I think are the most 

 comfortable to wear, but they require very careful 

 cleaning, and white cotton cords are preferable to 

 badly cleaned '* leathers." 



The neckcloth must be tied — no dummy, please — 

 and the whole knot should be securely fastened to a 

 fiannel shirt with a strong safety-pin. If you want 

 to avoid lumbago, rheumatism, and frequent colds 

 always wear flannel for hunting, and don't be 

 tempted by the luxurious softness to clothe your 

 body in silk. The waistcoat is a very important 

 part of your clothing, and you should remember 

 on it you will depend for keeping yourself warm 



