THREE CLASSES OF UUNTING MEN. Ill 



CHAPTER VII. 



Riding to Hounds, and Riding after them. — The proper use 

 of Reins and Stirrups. — When the Hounds speak, the 

 Hunters should be silent. — The Momentous Moment. — 

 How to Steer across Country. — Men who try to catch the 

 Fox by themselves. — Reason for Riding on the Down-wind 

 side of the Hounds. — Horses' Heads not made to hold on 

 by. — Fair and foolish ways of taking Fences. — Head 

 and Heart required in Riding to Hounds.— Craners and 

 Funkers. — Relation between the Master of Hounds and the 

 Members of a Hunt. 



Riding to hounds, and riding after them, are 

 very far from being one and the same thing ; and 

 of the former class of sportsmen the number is 

 extremely small, in comparison with the large body 

 of fox-hunters who assemble at the place of meet- 

 ing. Neither is the art or knowledge of riding to 

 hounds so easily attained as at first may appear 

 likely. Hunting men may be divided into three 

 classes — those who already know their business in 

 the field when following a pack of fox-hounds ; 



