SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 429 



be taken also into account — not to mention their 

 liability to colds, and other maladies, from exposure 

 to the most inclement weather, and under peculiar 

 circumstances. 



Gentlemen can go fast or slow, as it pleases them, 

 to the place of meeting — on horseback, or upon 

 wheels ; and in very bad weather they may be ex- 

 cused from appearing at all, it being merely optional 

 whether they face the elements without or remain 

 withia doors. Not so with those to whom the 

 management of the hounds is entrusted — huntsman 

 and whippers-in. Whatever the weather may be, 

 they must face it, and there is no escape from the 

 pelting of the pitiless storm. 



Other men can gallop out of it, and seek refuge 

 in a public or farmhouse — their time is their own. 

 A huntsman's belongs to his master, and he must 

 be punctual to it. The same slow jog-trot pace 

 with his hounds must be maintained throughout to 

 the place of meeting ; and, again, after the business 

 of the day is over, through deluges of rain, snow- 

 storms, or sleet. However biting the cold, officials 

 have no chance of keeping themselves warm by in- 

 creased exercise, like other men ; all must be borne 

 with patience and fortitude until their game is on 

 foot. 



But the most trying part of the whole day's work 

 is the journey home after a long run, leaving off 

 perhaps fifteen or twenty miles from the kennels, 

 with lame hounds and jaded horses. We have heard 

 of ** Patience on a monument smihng at grief;" but 

 we think a drenched huntsman, on a lame horse. 



