ETIQUETTE 25 



there that a clever keeper can show both par- 

 tridges and foxes, when both master and servant 

 are determined to have both ; but if the master 

 is lukewarm in the matter, the keeper is scarcely 

 likely to be keen about preserving foxes. When 

 the keeper presumes to go contrary to his orders, 

 and spends his time in limiting the number of 

 foxes, instead of looking after the other vermin 

 on the estate, the bags of partridges will often 

 be also limited, whether any foxes are allowed to 

 be there or not. 



Shooting syndicates should take into considera- 

 tion what the habits and feelings are of the 

 district which they propose honouring with 

 their presence, before they make their bargain ; 

 and if the sport of the country is hunting they 

 should be prepared to act accordingly, and not 

 selfishly destroy the amusement of their neigh- 

 bours. If they are not willing to behave with 

 good-fellowship, let them go elsewhere amongst 

 others of their own tastes and ideas. Their 

 absence will be more welcomed than deplored 

 by the members of a hunt. 



With regard to costume it is advisable that 

 the novice should go to firms of repute and 

 be guided by their advice, without running into 

 extremes of any description. It is well to take 

 into consideration the character of the country 

 in which hunting will be pursued, for in 

 some of the wilder hunts one of the first con- 

 siderations must be adequate protection from 

 the rough weather that will be met with, and 

 in a very bleak country ample skirts to the 

 hunting-coat to protect the thighs are almost 

 an absolute necessity. It is much to be 

 regretted that fashion has so long enforced 



