284 MANAGExMENT OF HOUNDS. 



have then to make their cast among the horses. Hard 

 riders, who have already gained notoriety by their feats 

 in horsemanship, may by their forbearance in not riding 

 too close upon the hounds, set a good example to others ; 

 and to the young aspirants after fame I would offer a few 

 suggestions, by following which they may avoid doing 

 harm if they cannot do good, and may secure to themselves 

 the reputation of being not only good riders, in the true 

 acceptation of the term, but also the character of good 

 sportsmen. 



Supposing you ride your own hunter to the place of 

 meeting ; when arrived there you will dismount, put the 

 saddle in its right place, take care the girths are not too 

 tightly drawn, or the throat-lash inconveniently pressing. 

 Should the morning be fine you may as well stand or 

 walk your horse about for a few minutes, and, if a cigar 

 fancier, then is your time for indulging in your favourite 

 weed, although 1 think there is nothing less becoming to 

 a real sportsman than a cigar. If you wish to have a 

 look at the hounds — and this, of course, you will do if 

 one of the right sort — do not approach too near them 

 unless your horse is perfectly quiet with hounds, and 

 accustomed to them. It is better to give your horse to 

 some one to hold the while you inspect the pack on foot, 

 and not run the risk of drawing down the anathemas of 

 master, huntsmen, and whips, for his kicking and perhaps 

 maiming a favourite hound. Your approaching them on 

 foot will make a favourable impression that you are 

 careful to avoid doing mischief, and understand more of 

 the business than perhaps you actually do. Unless a 

 good judge of make and shape do not hazard an opinion 

 of any particular hound, or you may happen to make a 



