90 CONSIDERATION FOR HOUNDS 



anything of a run ; but hustling and josthng is a most 

 unjustifiable offence in the hunting-field, and those who 

 adopt such practices may fairly be set down as tailors. 

 In all games and pastimes, a man is expected to know 

 something of the rules before joining in them ; but the 

 reverse appears to be the case in fox-hunting, where all, 

 or nearly all, go their own wicked way, evidently bent 

 on causing all the mischief they can, without the inclina- 

 tion to do any good ; in short, they do not wish for and 

 will not attend to instructions. Even when hounds 

 come to a check, there are a lot of fellows mooning about 

 the field, often in the very middle of the pack, who won't 

 turn their horses' heads either to the right or left, or make 

 the least effort to get out of the hounds' way ; and can 

 any surprise be expressed at the Master losing his temper 

 under such circumstances ? although half the liberties 

 taken in this manner, and obstructions to sport, are caused 

 by want of firmness and decision in the Master himself, 

 to whom every man in the field is bound to pay as much 

 deference as a soldier does to his commanding officer ; 

 and if they will not submit to his directions, they have 

 no business to be out with his hounds. 



