Horse Companionship 279 



for question why in England and Scotland there are a 

 hundred and thirty-eight packs of hounds ? Need one long 

 inquire why this sport has such a powerful hold that it is 

 followed unceasingly through youth, manhood, and old 

 age? 



I recur to this favourite text by way, in this chapter, of 

 advice to beginners and a little confidential talk with the 

 novice reader. Suppose he is to ride to hounds to-morrow 

 for the first time; there will be some things he ought to 

 do, and more that he ought not. Some of the things I 

 have reminded him of already in a general way are consid- 

 ered of sufficient importance to be repeated here. The 

 chapter by no means comprises the whole list of things he 

 ought or ought not to do, but only the mistakes a beginner 

 is most likely to fall into. 



Of course he will dress well. An affected disregard for 

 dress on such occasions is even more vulgar than foppish- 

 ness. If he must wear spurs, let him use them only in case 

 of emergency. The better a man's horsemanship, the less 

 use he has for spurs. If his experience is mine he will 

 find his horse going much better, jumping much more col- 

 lectedly, more intelligently, and with less fatigue if spurs 

 never touch him, especially at a jump. Also I should say 

 to him, don't wear a new pair of gloves, and don't carry a 

 new hunting-crop. The former is uncomfortable, and, with 

 the latter, makes one look too specially " gotten up." His 

 dress, however neat or expensive, should have the stamp of 

 utility. 



Don't ask the Master, the huntsman, or the whippers-in, at 

 the meet, what covert they are going to draw. They never 



