24 THE ETON COLLEGE HUNT. 



to our hunt.''^ In a word, more country, more friends and more 

 good-fellowship are the three leading features of the new scheme 

 of amalgamation that we are proposing. 



'* Again we would venture to suggest that, as in due 

 proportion to the school Oppidans would compose at least three- 

 fifths of the subscribers, the huntsman should be an Oppidan 

 and the first whip a Colleger ; while the other whip should, we 

 think, be either a Colleger or an Oppidan according to merit, 

 just as there happened to be one or other really fitting for the 

 office. 



'' We think then that we have thus shown the great 

 advantages derived from amalgamation ; and we hope that we 

 have sufficiently convinced, not only those who have a hand in 

 the management of all these things, but all our readers, that 

 what we have here recommended is the right thing to do. We 

 would conclude by venturing to hint that the * Master,' whoever 

 he may be, should be decided on as soon as possible, as there is 

 much to be done this Half, especially if amalgamation is really 

 brought about. Arrangements will doubtless have to be made 

 for kennels that will suit both parties (though we suppose that 

 the old kennels will be just as convenient for Collegers as 

 ourselves) ; needful repairs have to be executed, farmers con- 

 sulted ; various other necessary requirements attended to." 



Of course this leader was written by an Oppidan. But 

 nevertheless, it seems to place before the School the true facts 

 of the case, and to show that the proposal was much to be 

 desired and would eventually prove a benefit to both parties. 

 Besides, the leader had yet another merit. It provided a 

 basis for the treaty which had of necessity to be drawn up if 

 the amalgamation were decided on. It suggested that the 

 membership of the pack should be in some accordance with the 

 respective numbers of Collegers and Oppidans. *' At least 

 three-fifths " are the words, but they certainly seem to imply 

 that the author considered that a yet larger proportion of 

 Oppidans would be desirable. He also says that, owing to the 

 necessary disparity of numbers, an Oppidan should take the 

 mastership and a Colleger the first whip ; while the second whip 

 should be awarded purely for merit. 



Such an article as this could not be lightly passed over by 

 those who had a hand in the management of the beagles. There 

 was only a bare month between Nov. 22nd and the end of the 



* How interesting to hear of troubles with farmers nearly sixty years 

 ago! The author can definitely state that to-dav (season 1921-22) only 

 one field is forbidden to the E.C.H. 



