RAT-CATCHER. 



347 



hunting dress or in ordinary riding clothes, which some 

 call " mufti ; " but which is usually termed '' rat-catcher " 

 by hunting men. A mixture of the two is generally 

 regarded as an exhibition of bad taste which should not 

 be inflicted on our companions of the chase. As a meet 

 is a social function, those who attend it should, as a rule, 

 turn out in as good style as they can, from motives of 

 courtesy, as well as from those of self-respect. Rat-catcher is 



Fig. 233. Posts and rails ; about 3 ft. 9 in. high. 



occasionally allowable, when one intends to do more looking 

 on than riding, as for instance, when showing hounds to a 

 young horse, and is used out cubbing, and until fixtures 

 are advertised. Correct rat-catcher consists of a coat of the 

 shooting or round shape ; bowler hat (stiff felt for choice) ; 

 tweed or brown cord breeches ; and butcher boots, either of 

 brown leather or black leather, or leggings. As a black 

 coat demands a high hat, it should not be worn with 

 a rat-catcher get-up. A hunting tie and a hat-guard are 

 always allowable. Black butcher boots are more generally 

 worn with mufti, than brown leather ones, which are the 



