8o THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



the hounds were never so much distressed as in the 

 heat of the morning, which increased as the hounds 

 got tired. But, however agreeable it may be, it is not 

 so much hke business as if in the morning ; the men 

 have a great deal to do afterwards, and it disarranges 

 the establishment. But still it is a more gentlemanlike 

 hour for a man who hunts his own hounds, and on a 

 quiet evening nothing can exceed the pleasurable feel- 

 ing it creates. One of the greatest objections to it is 

 that many men are induced to ride out at that time 

 with the hounds who would not early in the morning, 

 and nothing is more annoying to a huntsman than 

 having strange horses in the rides when the young 

 hounds first enter and the pack are running in cover ; 

 it cuts them off and prevents them getting about with 

 the huntsman, and they get ridden over, either owing 

 to their own awkwardness or that of the horse or 

 rider. Therefore it is best not to make known when 

 they are going, at all events, unless those who do go 

 out go with the understanding that they are not to 

 expect sport, or get in the way of hounds. . . . Although 

 the writer is not aware that this plan has ever been 

 adopted by any other person, still he is bold enough 

 to assert that it is a good one, and beyond all doubt 

 most agreeable." 



I must now refer briefly to his private history. He 

 was the son of Mr. Thomas Smith, of Shaldon Lodge, 

 near Alton, Hants, and was born on August 5, 1870. 

 His love of sport as a youngster was so great, that 

 his father wisely removed him from Eton to Holy- 

 bourne, close to Alton, where he could indulge in 



