ETIQUETTE 17 



especially when a groom is riding one and 

 leading another. When a horse in front is seen 

 to be nervous, or fidgety from freshness, it is 

 both unmannerly, and also causing considerable 

 risk, to pass it without slackening speed ; for, 

 apart from the danger of being unseated, much 

 discomfort must be caused to the rider in con- 

 sequence of too great speed on the part of the 

 passer-by. 



Great attention should always be paid to the 

 wishes and directions of the M.F.H., whose 

 authority must be unquestioned if order is to 

 rule. So long as he is upheld in his position 

 by the members of the hunt, he is entitled to 

 exact obedience from all who partake in the day's 

 proceedings. No one, whatever his rank or 

 position in the country, should act directly con- 

 trary to his arrangements to show sport, such as 

 riding down the side of a covert which is 

 purposely left open for the fox to break there. 



On one occasion many years ago a person of 

 high position chose to disregard this rule, and 

 saunter down the side of a gorse covert, whence 

 it was hoped the fox would go, and the following 

 scene took place between the M.F.H. and the 

 offender : — 



As soon as it was seen whither X was going, 

 the Master called out in very conciliatory tones, 

 " Oh, X, I want the fox to get away there ! do 

 you mind going back, please ? " But X took no 

 notice of the appeal, and merely sauntered on. 

 "X," then exclaimed the Master rather sharply, 

 " please go back, or the fox will not break where 

 we want him to." To this appeal the only notice 

 taken by X was merely to tilt his hat a little 

 further back on his head, and raise his chin a 

 3 



