138 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



whips when the same article may be purchased at a less 

 fashionable mart for 12s. 6d.or 15s. In horse clothing, 

 however, as in food, the cheapest is not always the 

 most economical, and there was a Kendal firm — I hesi- 

 tate lO name it more specifically lest I should be accused 

 of advertising it — where I used to get practically ever- 

 lasting clothing at prices that compared very favourably 

 with those of the London dealers. Clothes should also 

 be got from the best man available, for surely nothing 

 looks more distressing than to see an establishment 

 of otherwise smart servants with badly-cut clothes. 

 It is as easy to have the clothes cut well, and the 

 same applies in even greater measure to the men's 

 boots. 



It is in the stables that I always think greater 

 economy might be prescribed, not so much in the 

 actual cost of the food as in the manner in which it is 

 used. A really economical stud groom is a crown of 

 joy, and let me advise the Master who has once found 

 such a jewel to keep him, unless he has very strong 

 reasons indeed for parting with him. A saving of 

 perhaps a hundred a year will surely cover a few faults. 

 The fault that will most likely need overlooking is the 

 temper, for it is notorious that stud-grooms have as 

 quick tempers as good cooks. The Master who finds 

 most of the other members of the establishment 

 grumble that they can't get on with Mr. Snaffles, 

 may hug himself in the conviction that he has a 

 good man who will not connive at petty larcenies. 

 The tradesmen are excellent judges of the peculiarities 

 of Hunt servants. If one thing used to annoy me 



