312 HARE-HUNTING AND HARRIERS 



been made abundantly clear in the last twenty years 

 by the great increase in the number of beagle packs 

 now hunting. It is in this direction, especially, that 

 I anticipate a considerable change for the better in 

 many parts of the country, which are yet unblessed 

 by the cheery note of the hare-huntsman's horn and 

 the beautiful cry, so welcome in a winter landscape, 

 of his harriers or beagles. 



In opening up negotiations with landowners, farmers, 

 and Masters of neighbouring packs of foxhounds, 

 there are, of course, a good many initial difficulties to 

 be overcome. It is necessary that the embryo Master 

 and huntsman — as huntsman he probably will be — 

 should have a fair knowledge of the sport he intends 

 to pursue, a good address, and stability. Pleasant 

 manners go very far indeed, especially among farmers 

 and their women folk at the present day, as indeed they 

 always have done and always will do. The days are 

 gone by when some well-descended lout, or Tony 

 Lumpkin, could hope to establish himself at the head 

 of a pack of hounds. Even Somervile, as far back 

 as 1735, well recognised the profit of a good address. 

 Here are his words on this very subject : 



"Well-bred, polite, 

 Credit thy calling. See ! how mean, how low, 

 The bookless saunt'ring youth, proud of the skut 

 That dignifies his cap, his flourish'd belt, 

 And rusty couples jingling by his side. 

 Be thou of other mould ; and know that such 

 Transporting pleasures were by Heav'n ordained 

 Wisdom's relief and Virtue's great reward." 



These last two lines are, perhaps, a trifle high-flown 

 — the poet's licence must always be allowed for — but 

 Somervile's admonition is a perfectly true one, well 

 to be remembered by all sportsmen. 



