lo THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



guest being one of the best known first-flight men in 

 Leicestershire. Subsequently in the smoking-room 

 our host introduced us to the local Nimrod, who gave 

 us a sermon about Hunting in the Shires. My fellow 

 guest sat as quiet as if he had been listening to a discourse 

 from the Archbishop of Canterbury until the sermon 

 was finished. Then the cross-examination commenced. 



" So you met Captain ! What did you think of 



him ? " 



" Good fellow sociably ; but his riding abilities have 

 been terribly exaggerated." 



" I agree with you that his horsemanship has been 

 over-estimated. Nor is he a sociable man. I am afraid 

 that you did not catch my name when we were in- 

 troduced. I am Captain ; but I do not recollect 



ever having seen you before to-day." 



Collapse of the local Nimrod. 



I do not wish to be severe in regard to the young 

 provincial Nimrods, but they must not expect too much 

 for their money. Besides, the expectation is unfair 

 towards Masters of Hounds and is prejudicial against 

 the best interests of sport. The Committee of a pro- 

 vincial Hunt secures, as Master, a young man with 

 plenty of money, and the members of the Committee 

 congratulate each other upon their acumen. After 

 two or three seasons the wealthy M.F.H. resigns, in 

 order to become Master of a more fashionable pack. 

 He has been spending his money so that he may gain 

 a first-class degree for M.F.H. honours in one of the 

 hunting countries which have achieved historical fame. 

 In other words, he has been buying his experience ; 



