XXIV 

 OFFICERS AND HUNT ASSISTANTS 



THE M.F.H. THE HUNTSMAN THE WHIPPERS-IN THE KENNEL 



HUNTSMAN THE EARTH-STOPPER 



HE office of Master of Foxhounds has never 

 reached the exalted rank in America that it 

 has in England, but the duties of the office 

 are for the most part the same in both coun- 

 tries. Few people, even a large number of those who ride 

 to hounds, have more than a confused idea of what these du- 

 ties are. Enough has already been said on the question of 

 the breeding and management of hounds to show that in this 

 field alone they are no trifling matter. In addition there is 

 the oversight of the breeding of horses, invariably accom- 

 panying an established hunt, as well as many social duties 

 and a large correspondence. There are also the various 

 executive duties involved in the administration of hunt 

 affairs. The enormous expenses of at least one hunt in 

 America are borne by the M.F.H. , who not only owns 

 the hounds, but pays all the bills involved in running the 

 stud and kennels, the members of the hunt paying only a 

 dollar a year each. The expense of a hunt club cannot 

 come far short of five hundred dollars for every day that 

 hounds hunt. 



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