XXVI 

 THE CONSULTATION OF WAR 



ARRANGING FOR A DAY'S HUNTING AN ELABORATE PREPARATION 



OLD SIMPSON AT WORK 



UNTING," says the immortal Jorocks, "is 

 the image of war without its guilt." Few 

 persons indeed realise the preparation and 

 strategy necessary to a day's hunting the 

 neglect of which would soon bring the hunt to the end of 

 its popularity. The idea that a fox-chase consists simply 

 in the coming together of a lot of riders who go to a 

 covert, start a fox, and race him to death, is one that any 

 real acquaintance with the sport speedily dispels. I have 

 attempted, perhaps with some success, to show what is 

 involved in the establishment and maintenance of a well- 

 organised hunt. I come now to the preparation for a day's 

 sport, in which the general and his aide lay plans and plots 

 for the ensuing engagements. 



It is the evening before the day of a meet. Weeks earlier 

 it has been determined where the meets shall be for the month, 

 and printed notices to that effect have been sent to all the 

 members and farmers and patrons in the county. The Hall, 

 where the Master resides, is of course filled with guests, 



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