CHAPTER 

 The Master 



AN M. F. H., to be perfect, must embody all 

 the virtues of a saint with the commanding genius 

 of a Kitchener and the tact of a diplomatist. To 

 find these qualities combined is well-nigh im- 

 possible, so that we give up hope of ever finding 

 the perfect Master, and content ourselves with 

 ordinary men. It is a thankless task, and it has 

 always been a wonder to me that any one can be 

 found willing to accept the responsibilities. Of 

 course, I refer only to the country where there is 

 a professional huntsman, and not to where the 

 Master hunts the hounds himself, that pleasure 

 is sufficient to repay one for many worries. 

 Every one who comes out feels entitled to criticise 

 and find fault with the Master. The man who 

 is early at the meet asks in an aggrieved voice 

 why hounds do not move off, and the man who 



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