82 UNASKED ADVICE. 



rough and smooth together, and not shirk going to un- 

 popular places. Foxes vanish occasionally from coverts 

 where the hounds never come. Above all things, he 

 should be punctual; he has no right to keep his field 

 waiting, even if he has not a subscription. He should, 

 above all things, remember that it is to the farmers that 

 he is indebted for walks for his hounds, and land to ride 

 over, and that, though hunting is not a bad thing for 

 agriculture, yet turnips, seeds, and in wet weather 

 wheat, are not improved by being ridden over ; also, 

 that it is not pleasant to have to send into the next 

 parish but one after stock which has wandered away 

 through gates left open, or gaps made by the followers 

 of the pack. These inconveniences farmers put up with 

 uncomplainingly every hunting day in the year, and 

 they deserve some acknowledgment and thanks. A wise 

 M.F.H. will buy horses in his country as much as he 

 can ; it must indeed be an unpromising land where the 

 farmers do not breed something oecasionally good enough 

 to carry a whip, at all events though, by the way, they 

 often spoil their own sales. 



How many masters are possessed even of the qualities 

 above mentioned ? Many of them are not even keen 

 sportsmen. Men take hounds for all manner of reasons, 

 besides being fond of the sport, or knowing anything 

 about it. Some do so to achieve social distinction ; 

 others to obtain political consideration ; others, again, to 

 live, if possible, out of a subscription. The last variety 

 of master is the natural sequel to either of the first two 

 sorts, who, when their object is achieved, have no further 

 interest in their hounds : hence countries are constantly 

 changing hands, men cease to be masters before they 

 have had time to learn their work, countries go begging, 



