342 THE SPORT OF KINGS 



entirely disappeared. At the last hunt dinner 

 which I attended — it was one of the most successful 

 and enjoyable, by the way, that I ever was at — the 

 Master was in the chair, and he was supported by 

 a parson, who was as good over a country as he 

 was in the pulpit, and as indefatigable in attending 

 to his parish as he was eloquent ; by the principal 

 landowners in the hunt, all the large farmers and 

 some of the smaller ones, who had tickets sent 

 them gratis, and some of the merchants and 

 tradesmen of the town in which the dinner was 

 held, men who never went hunting themselves, 

 but who had a kindly interest in the sport of their 

 friends and customers. No one who attended that 

 dinner could fail to perceive that it was a source 

 of strength to the hunt, and even to hunting in 

 general. For it is obviously to the interest of 

 hunting that those who do not hunt should have 

 a kindly feeling towards the sport, especially in 

 these days of log-rolling fanatics. At the dinner 

 in question the speeches were to the point and 

 not prosy, the Master gave some sound advice to 

 his followers, " the song, the story, and the merry 

 jest went round," and there was not a dull minute 

 from the " find to the finish." In the words of 

 the poet — 



Friendship, amidst the jolly throng, 



Through generous ardour leads, 

 And tunes the rustic huntsman's song, 



Or tells of former deeds. 

 And now they fill their glasses high, 



While mirth lights every face, 

 And toast with many a joyful cry, 



" The champions of the chase." 



That such gatherings, by the bringing of men 



