16 PINK AND SCARLET 



One thing is certain : whatever the kit is, it should 

 be the best of its kind. 



A well-known and most charming sporting writer, 

 who has now, alas ! joined the majority,^ wrote some- 

 what as follows : — " It is a duty every one who 

 hunts owes to himself, to be dressed as comfort- 

 ably and safely as possible, and it is a duty he 

 owes to the world in general, to look as well as 

 possible." 



To this should be added — " It is a duty he owes 

 to the hunt he goes out with to be dressed 

 proper lyy 



Properly may be taken to mean the recognized 

 kit for the different sorts of hunting. 



We will now take these three duties, show how 

 they dovetail one into the other, and consider what 

 is the sort of, and the smallest amount of, kit 

 required to fulfil them when hunting with each kind 

 of hounds. The words " smallest amount " are used 

 advisedly, because the young soldier is not usually 

 over-burdened with the " sinews of war." Those 

 who have well-filled treasury chests can buy as much 

 kit as they like. 



It would be best, perhaps, to take harriers first, 

 because the kit suitable for wear with them nearly 

 approaches to hacking costume. It is commonly 

 known as "rat-catcher" kit, i.e. the mufti of hunt- 

 ing. Even " rat-catcher," however, has its etiquette 

 — its right and its wrong. 



An ounce of illustration is worth a pound of 

 1 The late Major G. J. Whyte-Melville. 



