320 THE SPORT OF KINGS 



his hunt, and will not be conducive to the general 

 welfare. 



I think it would be a good thing if hunting 

 men and hunting women were to look back on the 

 season that is past, and endeavour to remember 

 how many times they have criticised their Master 

 unfairly during the last few months, and how 

 often they have added to the difficulties of his 

 situation by their open-mouthed and ill-timed 

 criticism, and, at times, uncalled-for interference. 

 Of course, it may be said that men hunt a country 

 from many motives, and in some cases the Master 

 of Hounds has been found to be a very round peg 

 in a square hole. But in the majority of instances 

 a Master of Hounds is anxious to show the best 

 sport possible that his country can afford, and he 

 makes many sacrifices both of purse and personal 

 comfort in the attainment of that end. Therefore, 

 even if the Master's methods do not quite com- 

 mend themselves to his field, they should learn to 

 restrain their criticism within fair limits. One 

 subject on which they freely offer their opinions 

 is the draw, yet this is a subject which the Master 

 and his huntsmen are alone competent to offer an 

 opinion upon, for they alone know all the circum- 

 stances which occasion the arrangements, which 

 are not made without due thought and care. 

 How often do we hear the question asked in the 

 latter end of the season, " Why didn't he draw 

 so-and-so ?" the questioners quite losing sight of 

 the fact that by so doing another day's draw 

 might be spoiled, or that perhaps a vixen was 

 known to have laid up a litter there. Once during 

 the last season a gentleman asked me why the 

 huntsman was taking us past a lot of big coverts 



