HUNTING TOURS. 49 



fortunate indeed are the members of the Hunt 

 in having a gentleman so able and zealous at 

 the head of affairs. History assures us that 

 from the earliest ages to the present moment 

 no nation has flourished where athletic exer- 

 cises, coming under the denomination of field 

 sports, have been neglected, and foxhunting, 

 par excellence, ranks on the highest pinnacle 

 of fame. How deeply, therefore, is England 

 indebted to masters of hounds for their 

 chivalrous, patriotic exertions. Few who 

 are not intimately associated with them can 

 form any idea of the difficulties with which 

 they have to contend. There are owners of 

 coverts, preservers of foxes and of their game 

 to be consulted, and, as a matter of expe- 

 diency and courtesy, it is quite due to them 

 that their wishes should be respected ; in 

 doing so, it not unfrequently happens that 

 the requirements of subscribers clash, and, 

 with conflicting interests, masters of hounds 

 have often intricate courses to steer, sur- 

 rounded with invisible shoals, and in order to 

 keep on good terms with each party — indeed, 

 to keep them on good terms with each other — 

 much conciliatory tact is imperatively neces- 

 sary. Then there are the farmers to be kept 



D 



