RIDING TO HOUNDS 227 



behind with a breast-high scent, have no notion 

 of what they are doing, for they have never 

 ridden up to hounds in their lives in a fast 

 thing ; and they are quite unconscious that they 

 are spoiling the sport of gallant riders behind 

 them, who are sadly chafing at the loss of the 

 opportunity which the others are incapable of 

 turning to account. 



All authority is by unwritten law vested in 

 the M.F.H. for the time being, and any one 

 transgressing against the general interests of 

 those who are out, or of the Hunt in general, 

 must take in good part any reprimand or orders 

 he may receive, whether for riding too close to 

 the hounds, heading the fox, or any other mal- 

 feasance. The master, on his part, should be 

 sure of his ground before he finds fault with 

 any person, and should remember that he is as 

 much bound by the courtesy expected between 

 gentlemen as would be the case in any other 

 sphere. 



Rough manners may be overlooked for sufficient 

 local reasons, but they cannot be excused ; and 

 are most certainly unnecessary for the due carrj^- 

 ing on of the proceedings. If a M.F.H. cannot 

 keep order without bad language and much scold- 

 ing, he is scarcely the right man in the right 

 place, and will only be tolerated if the sport 

 shown under his regime is of an exceptionally 

 high order. 



When commencing to hunt, the beginner 

 should make a start on a clever old hunter that 

 knows its business thoroughly and can take care 

 both of itself and its rider, for the latter cannot 

 possibly understand at first how each description 

 of fence requires to be done, and he will learn 



