IN THE FIELD. 325 



about the fit of their saddles, that they have a separate 

 saddle for each of their hunters. I know of a lady who 

 has fourteen hunters so equipped. 



When hounds move off to covert, a lady should 

 be sufficiently watchful to secure a good place in the 

 procession, as it sometimes happens that a field is kept 

 waiting in a road or lane while a covert is being drawn, 

 and, if she be at the tail end of it, she will get a bad 

 start. In taking up her position she should, of course, 

 be careful not to interfere with others. Mr. Otho 

 Paget gives the following good advice, which we should 

 all endeavour to follow : '* When we go a-hunting, 

 I think we should forget all the petty squabbles with 

 our neighbours, and meet for the time on terms of 

 cordiality. Anything approaching a quarrel will spoil the 

 day's sport for you. Everyone should try to be genial and 

 good-tempered, so that, even if there is only a moderate 

 run, you return home feeling happier for the exercise 

 and the good fellowship. There are many things 

 to try one's temper in the hunting field, when every- 

 body is excited, but one should control one's feelings 

 and be invariably courteous in speech. You should 

 apologise, even when you think you are in the right, for 

 the other man may be equally certain he is in the right, 

 and it would be difficult to say who was in the wrong. 

 At the same time, when a man apologises and is 

 evidently sorry, you ought to accept his apologies 

 in a kindly spirit, even though he has jumped on 

 the small of your back." It is almost superfluous, 

 perhaps, to tender advice of this kind to my gentle sex. 



