26 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



any, may he have as good a one as heart can wish, 

 as fine a country as England can produce, plenty 

 of foxes, plenty of means, and plenty of health to 

 enjoy all, and as Pat says, " May he live for ever, 

 and after too ! " 



Leaving aside the difference that would in all 

 probability be found in two packs under the 

 control of two such masters, that difference 

 arising from the different taste, habits, and 

 experience of each respectively, there will be 

 perceived a wider* difference still between the two 

 in hunting a different description of country ; and 

 this difference would not only be unavoidable, but 

 quite proper in character. 



The style, strength, and breed of horses and 

 hounds must differ in a light flying country, and 

 a deep-holding and rough one; the men^s dress 

 even must be stronger in the latter, or they would 

 have their boots torn off their legs, and their 

 clothes from their backs : in fact, in such a country 

 I once saw a whip emerge from a thick cover 

 minus a saddle-flap. In very light breast-high 

 countries, a huntsman and his whips should be 

 light, and must, to live with their hounds, possess 

 something of the attributes of the jockey and 

 steeple-chase rider as to knowledge of pace and 

 making the most of their horses; in more diffi- 

 cult countries the greater qualification is making 

 the most of their hounds^ and here more ex- 



