400 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



to ride over hounds if in their way, and to commit 

 sundry other enormities as it pleases them ; and if 

 reproved, tender their resignations as supporters of 

 the hunt. This conduct is, to say the least of it, 

 evidence of very bad taste, as well as of utter dis- 

 regard to the conventionalities of society. The 

 most furious of radicals are represented by a delegate, 

 whom they not only pay for his services, but feel 

 bound also to submit to his decision ; and when a 

 master has been selected by the unanimous con- 

 currence of the hunt, every subscriber ought to 

 know that he is the recognised commander-in- 

 chief pending his tenure of office, whether of long 

 or short duration. As with nations so with fox- 

 hunting countries ; there must be one to whom the 

 reins of government are entrusted ; there must be a 

 head and neck to guide the body and control the 

 limbs. 



Compliance with certain established rules is ex- 

 pected of the " field,^^ both to afford the huntsman 

 and hounds room for exercising their several abili- 

 ties without let or hindrance, as well as to ensure 

 their own sport. When gorse or spinny is being 

 drawn, the '^ fiekP' are expected to leave that side 

 open and quite free from trespassers, where the fox 

 may be likely to break for a good line of country ; 

 and until he is gone clear away, no holloa should 

 escape the lips of those who may have caught sight of 

 him, since nothing will head back a fox more cer- 

 tainly than a premature signal of this kind. Should 

 the gorse be small, silence ought to be observed by 

 all the lookers-on. Talking and coffee-housing is 



