INTRODUCTION 



for some snapping twig, or the crack of the 

 Master's thong. Hounds are at work ; a 

 stillness prevails. Hark! some veteran hound 

 has given tongue. Observe your mount ; ears 

 pricked, nostrils twitching, all the weight on 

 the fore-hand, and as you sit forward, fondly 

 smoothing your charger's neck, the Hound 

 music bursts forth, followed by *'Tally-Ho," 

 G-o-n-e A-w-a-y," ease your reins, and you are 

 off in chase of '' The right sort." Whether the 

 Sport be good, bad or indifferent, much can be 

 learned and observed. 



The '' Field " makes the man, the Sportsman. 

 By the term Sportsman I imply the one who 

 rides to hounds, and who holds Hunt traditions 

 etiquette as sacred. 



The present Field can be described of two 

 Parties, (i) Riders to hounds, sportsmen 

 who work in harmony and enjoy hound 

 work, and who show their appreciation to 

 their mounts, by easing them all they can. 

 (2) Riders to ride, whose sole enjoyment consists 

 of riding *' hill for heather," either over or 

 through country, frequently the latter, little 

 caring for mounts, crops or any one else, and 



XV 



