[ 125] 



would-be Managers," on the contrary, make 

 no allowance whatever for unavoidable cir- 

 cumstances ; I mean those who do not enter 

 into the spirit, and have no knowledge of 

 hunting, but at times are ambitious to be at 

 the head of affairs, and they are the greatest 

 tormentors a master of fox-hounds can en- 

 counter, always finding out some cause 

 for complaint ; you are " too late" or " too 

 soon" at the covert; you never draw to 

 please them; your meeting-places are 

 wrong ; even if the weather is unfavour- 

 able, they will endeavour to make it ap- 

 pear your fault; and every untoward cir- 

 cumstance is attributed to your bad 

 management. When you are established 

 in a country, never interfere with politics ; 

 when you turn politician, give up your 

 hounds. If possible, be on terms with all 

 parties, and if they have liberality they will 

 preserve foxes for you ; but you must in 

 return do all in your power to oblige them, 



