io8 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



but fully warranted because of the extreme popularity 

 of the hunt. 



We have given enough instances to show what the 

 average rate of subscription should be all over the 

 kingdom, and on this point little further need be 

 said. But secretaries of popular hunts should, per- 

 haps, be prepared to take monthly subscriptions from 

 chance visitors, unless, indeed, their fields are so large 

 that they are obliged to discourage new-comers. Per- 

 haps the Devon and Somerset Staghounds have best 

 solved the visitor question, but their position is a 

 unique one, for they have a succession of visitors 

 throughout their season proper, and in point of fact 

 the hunt is almost entirely maintained by the con- 

 tributions of these visitors, who in August, September, 

 and early October are to be seen out with the hounds 

 in numbers which vary from one to beyond three 

 hundred per day. Some of the regular visiting sub- 

 scribers give largely, but the broad rule is that 

 strangers should pay ids. 6d. for each day's hunting, 

 and as the hotel proprietors and others act as receivers 

 to the hunt, it is a simple matter to pay at the fixed 

 price. 



GENERAL EXPENSES 



Of all expenses to be incurred in hunting the sub- 

 scription should rank with every hunting man and 

 woman as the first and most important, for the sub- 

 scription is in these times a far greater matter than it 

 was years ago, owing to the greatly increased cost of 

 maintaining a country. It may be that the kennel 

 bill for keep of hounds has not greatly increased, 

 though even on that score there is room for doubt, 



