342 Cross Country with Horse and Hound 



" Gentlemen ! " says the Master, rising, " gentlemen, 

 this is our huntsman's birthday. I suppose he has for- 

 gotten the fact entirely. I have asked you to come this 

 evening to remind him of it." 



Then, after some complimentary remarks on our hunts- 

 man's skill, his health is drunk to the tune of " He 's a 

 jolly good fellow ! " 



Here 's to our huntsman, so cheery and keen ! 

 To all of his breed, whether scarlet or green ! 

 To the hounds ! And may never their progeny fail 

 To go like their sires of to-day in the vale. 



Our huntsman, looking as shy as a new-entry puppy, 

 stands up, and, after a few words of thanks to the Master 

 and of general compliment to the hunt, he proposes the 

 following toast: 



TO FOX-HUNTING IN GENERAL 



May we find a good horse who is fond of the play ; 



May our foxes be straight-necked and show hounds the way ; 



May every one of us hear the glad gone away 



As he stands near the covert on the best hunting day! 



May the fences never stop us, nor the brooks cause dismay ; 



May our hounds never weary or their noses delay; 



May hound music never cease through eternity to roll, 



Cheering on every heart that is tuned to its toll. 



Whatever our fate, may every one say 



There is nothing like hunting on a good scenting day! 



