HEARSAY. 155 



lielp feeling a trifle snlky ; and be they tlie best fellows 

 in tlie world — as they probably are — it would be asking^ 

 too ninch of human nature, to expect them to invest the 

 gallop Avith the rosy surroundings it perhaps deserves, 

 or to be eloquent on what they have avowedly and 

 unhappily " missed." The larger mass aver they have 

 " had a splendid run, and have enjoyed themselves 

 immensely " — though they have not seen a hound all the 

 way, and can tell you little more than that the fox was- 

 found in one i)lace, killed in another, adding very possibly 

 that " they were well in it." The last-named authorities 

 are, however, usually good timekeepers. A good, but 

 not racing, run again gives wider opportunity of observa- 

 tion, and consequently greater facility for imparting the 

 information required — though even under these bettered 

 circumstances many events will be found described from 

 the point of view of <iuot homines tot sententice ; and each 

 man cannot but temper his opinion by the measure in 

 which he has enjoyed himself, A bad or even indifferent 

 run puts us out of the difticulty — for as a matter of 

 either description or memory it is as well consigned at 

 once to oblivion. 



But, among the many sterling sportsmen at all times 

 prepared to seize their share of the fun, who have out- 

 lived jealousy, have bought experience, acquired an 

 intimate knowledge of country, and who hunt lor hunt- 

 ing's sake, there are always to be found some who are 

 not only capable, but willing, to convey a just outline of 

 events and scene. And kindly comrades as these ever 

 are amid the stirring fellowship of the field, their 



