i 4 o THE SPORT OF KINGS 



hunt. It behoves every man who hunts regularly 

 to identify himself as much as lies in his power 

 with the country in which he elects to take his 

 sport. He should be seen in it at other times as 

 well as in the hunting season, and he should 

 co-operate as much as possible in furthering some 

 of the interests of that country in which hunting 

 has no special part. His purse should certainly be 

 open, but his personal co-operation would be even 

 more appreciated than his subscription. No doubt 

 some trouble would be involved, but the result 

 would be worth the trouble ; and were the men 

 from a distance to realise this fact they would 

 materially lighten the load of Masters of Hounds, 

 and we should probably hear of fewer resignations 

 from them. 



In another matter there is a great change, and 

 one which is, I think, for the better. Formerly a 

 noisier method of hunting prevailed than obtains 

 nowadays. There was more holloaing and horn- 

 blowing, and hounds were consequently much 

 wilder than they are now. That they killed foxes 

 and showed good sport is true, but they had not 

 such large fields to contend with, and were cer- 

 tainly not so well disciplined, as a rule, as they 

 now are. With regard to horn -blowing when a 

 fox goes away, our modern huntsmen may be con- 

 sidered as somewhat chary of it, and make rather 

 too little noise, especially in big woodlands. There 

 is no doubt but that this is in a manner caused by 

 their jealousy of the " thrusters," who always will 

 be on hounds' backs when they have a chance ; 

 but it is an error of judgment for all that, for the 

 innocent are punished with the guilty, and nothing 

 vexes a man who has done his best to assist the 



