2o6 TJie Pytchley Hunt, Past and Prese^it, 



latter, there is little to choose between them in the 

 matter of proficiency in the field. That a Huntsman 

 should always be with his hounds seems an indisput- 

 able axiom. It has been said that ^' mediocrity at the 

 tail of the pack is infinitely to be preferred to the 

 embodiment of science half a mile behind.'^ To the 

 Professional, want of nerve, save under peculiar cir- 

 cumstances, meaus loss of situation. To the Amateur 

 much is forgiven in this respect if he be popular, and 

 especially if he pays the piper. How Squire Lowndes 

 and the late Lord Southampton, neither of whom ever 

 ^'"jumped," met with even the modicum of success they 

 could fairly lay claim to as huntsmen, was a thing 

 which "no feller could understand.^^ Few who have 

 ever carried the horn could compete with either of 

 these well-known sportsmen in the art of " half-a-mile- 

 behinding ;'^ yet many a better man has been unable to 

 show an equally favourable record of foxes killed. 



The cuckoo-cry is often raised that '^ any fool can kill a 

 fox with a scent ;^' the answer to which is " let the fool 

 try." That he will not perform this much-desired feat 

 without one is certain, but few take into consideration 

 the " aliquid amari," '^the always a something," that is 

 pretty sure to turn up when least expected. 



The old Scotch lady did not speak without an experience 

 in disappointment, when in reply to a query from a friend, 

 as to whether she might congratulate her on her daughter's 

 approaching marriage, she said, " Oh, yes, I have nothing 

 to say against it. It's true that Janie hates the man, but 

 then there's always a something." So in hunting a fox, 

 be the scent ever so good — the kill apparently ever so 

 certain — the unexpected suddenly turns up in the form of 



