COST AND EQUIPMENT 225 



the case of beagles and bassets, huntsman and whip, 

 if the thing is done respectably, are usually attired in 

 velvet hunting-caps, short green coats, breeches, 

 gaiters, and lace-up boots. White breeches look very 

 smart at the outset, but they soon become soiled, 

 and whipcord, or the thinnest velvet cord procurable, 

 is preferable. For running on foot, of course, the 

 clothing must, all round, be much lighter and thinner 

 than that worn on horseback. Strong green serge 

 is a very good material for jackets, and is much more 

 porous than Melton or other smooth cloths. White 

 breeches of jean or some thin cotton material are, 

 as I say, smart looking, but when, as often happens, 

 the huntsman or whip jumps into a dyke or has 

 to cross a stream, and they get wet, they are 

 certainly chilling garments afterwards. Even khaki is 

 preferable. 



Not long since I came across a large coloured print, 

 entitled " The Merry Beaglers," in which a pack of 

 beagles of about the period of the early forties, or 

 perhaps a little earlier, was portrayed. The original 

 painting must have been by no means a bad one. The 

 beagles are of a good stamp and look smart, keen, and 

 up to their work. But it was the costume of the three 

 gentlemen — evidentl}'- huntsman and whips — depicted 

 with them that most attracted my attention. They 

 were attired in tall hats, such as our ancestors played 

 cricket in in those days — indeed, our ancestors seem 

 to have done everything in tall hats at that time ; they 

 even rowed at Henley in them ! In addition to the 

 tall hats, big collars, and ample neck-bands, they 

 wore short green jackets and apparently cord trousers, 

 the latter, if my memory serves me, strapped under 

 the boots. Although a fearful and wonderful costume 

 for running down hares in, yet these were no doubt 



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