JOHNA.SEAVERNS TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 3 9090 014 535 153 '♦ « s cr< i{f::^-V'^''. fc<^' ^*^- » "'.i. '• <7V ,?i-' ' l^'*c'*' ,' c * V- c^'"^ . J ,, - 1 e. J Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine Cummings School ot Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University 200 Westboro Road Morth Grafton, MA 01536 Some Un\^ritten Law^s of Organized Foxhunting and Comments on the Usages of the Sport of Riding to Hounds in America Compiled and Edited by LOUIS V. BREESE M GMIX TO THE READER To us modern Americans of little erudition in the niceties of the chase, it is astonishing in reading the CYNEGETICOS or Essays on Sport, written by Xenophon — 430 years before the birth of Christ, to find the accurate knowledge that great man had of hunting, and to observe one of the finest writers, the bravest soldiers, the ablest politicians, the wisest philosophers and the most virtuous citizens of the world's history so intimately acquainted with all the tricks and the difficulties of hunting. Virgil appeals to the huntsman in his Georgics, "En age, segnes, Rumpe moras; vocat ingenti clamore Cithaeron, Taj'getique canes, domitrixque Epidaurus equorum, Et vox assensu nemorum ingeminata remugit." while in 1735 Somerville fires the imagination with his immortal poem, "The Chase." "While crowded theatres, too fondly proud Of their exotic minstrels, and shrill pipes. The price of manhood, hail thee with a song And airs soft warbling: my hoarse sounding horn Invites thee to the chase, the sport of kings; Image of war, without its guilt "Where are their sorrows, disappointments, wrongs Vexations, sickness, cares? All, are gone, And with the panting winds lag far behind." This Brochure contains opinions of the greatest authorities on organized foxhunting and especially those of value in America. Nothing is so detrimental to the noble sport as disputes between Masters or annoyance to land- owners and others through carelessness or ignor- ance on the part of the field. In the hope that public opinion may be the more readily crystalized, these pages have been compiled. 3 FOREWORD Since pre-Revolutionary days chase of the fox in America has been pursued with enthusiasm. In the North usually with a single slow moving, rather small, generally black and tan hound of long ears — the object being to shoot reynard in his run- way. In portions of Pennsylvania the hound varies from his northern brother, having greater size and longer ears. Further south in Virginia and Ken- tucky, hounds have been bred for generations for their racing qualities, and there a hound not dis- similar to the English Foxhound of a hundred and fifty years ago, has been developed. In this part of the country a chase with the hounds is usually re- ferred to as a "race." The several indigenous American forms of foxhunting do not include the practice of riding straight 'cross country. The northern hunter goes on foot while the southern, although usually mounted, hardly ever jumps— gates and lowered rails allowing progress to points of vantage from which the hounds can be heard. This mode of hunting hounds is known as "hill topping," the object being to test the powers of the hounds, not riding. It was only a few years ago, hardly a quarter of a century, since riding straight to hounds became in any sense popular. About that time there began to be developed in America hunting organizations which adopted from England and Ireland certain superficialities of the highly developed sport in those countries without, in most cases, adopting the broad and democratic views, the responsibilities and thor- ough organization of the hunts of Great Britain. One of the most detrimental things that could have occurred to organized hunting in America was the atmosphere of "society" rather than "sports- manship" given to the early hunt "clubs." Riding to foxhounds cannot properly exist in any locality in the world unless every member of the community is interested in its welfare. The noble sport has lived successfully through two cen- turies in Great Britain because it has been con- ducted in the most democratic manner possible, and mere social or financial status has nothing to do with one's privilege to subscribe to and hunt with the local hounds. His qualities as a true sportsman and his support of hunting according to his means are all the qualifications that are asked of a man. Hunt "Clubs" are practically non-existent in Great Britain, but let it not be thought for a moment that hunting "organizations" are not infinitely better managed than in America. It can truthfully be said that we, as a rule, have been hopelessly deficient in everything connected with organized hunting from showing ordinary courtesy to land owners, and the preservation of the hunting country as such, to the breeding and management of hounds. British hunting in modern times is generally on a "subscription basis" and managed by committees often elected by the subscribers or trustees, but never with the attitude of social superiority, often taken towards the rest of the community by the American hunt "Club." On account of the advent of wire there will in a few years be no riding to foxhounds in America (as witnessed by the discontinuance of several hunts in the last few years), except in localities where the sport is very highly developed and action is taken to prevent its encroachment, and where the commun- ity stands back of the hunting. The interests of all landowners must be jealously guarded that the bene- fits of hunting to a locality may be appreciated. Fox- hunting in America must be put on a "subscription" not a "club membership" basis, and must be open to all, and made in spirit and de facto a benefit to the community, not a private amusement. The days of doing things half way have passed if fox- hunting is to live with us. Every detail of the sport must be perfected for the pleasure of all sub- scribers that the novices may be the more pleased and the knowing ones kept contented at home and not forced to go abroad for their hunting. Most im- portant of all, means and materials for economically building wooden or stone fencing must be provided by the hunt for those needing the same — otherwise wire will be used and the hunting eventually come to an end in consequence. Foxhunting became a great public institution in Great Britain and remains so in spite of every- thing only because its privileges and responsibilities are understood and lived up to. To-day in America the fate of this last relic of the ancient chase lies in the balance and only wise usage and broad under- standing will make its continuance possible. Re- membering therefore, that this great sport has reached its zenith in the British Isles because it is every^vhere considered as a benefit for all rather than a plaything for the few, let us note what cus- toms for master and field constitute by given consent the Unwritten Laws of Foxhunting. The Un^vritten Laws of Foxhunting General A fox started in a pack's own country may be followed anywhere. Should a pack run a fox over their border into a neighboring country and he should get to ground, the Master of the invading pack has a perfect right to get him out in the following ways; but he must under no circumstances use a spade or pickaxe, or break ground in any way. He may put a terrier in, provided he belongs to his hunt establishment, and is either running with the pack, or carried with it. He must not com- mandeer a terrier out of his country or in the country into which he runs. He may try and drown the fox out. He may use a pole to poke him out. He may try to smoke him out. If there is more than one fox in the den, he only has a right to kill one. If a pack of hounds should run a fox over their border into a neighboring country and apparently lose him, and eventually turn to go back into their own domains, and a fox is holloa'd at no great dis- tance from where they lost their fox, they have a perfect right to go and hunt that fox, as it is im- possible to say it was not their hunted fox who had lain down ; but, supposing they had trotted, say two miles or so from where the fox had been lost and then a holloa occurred, or information came to hand of a fox having been seen, the huntsman should not lay his hounds on, for it is not a good sportsman who poaches. This rule, of course, must be some- what elastic and left to the sportsmanlike instincts of Masters and huntsmen. In cubhunting a Master should keep as much as possible to his own country, and certainly so dur- ing September. In October, when hounds are let go, it is more difficult to do so, but it is annoying to a Master to have a neighboring pack running a fox where he himself was contemplating a good morning a few days later. Though there is no rule about this, and as a Master has a perfect right to take a cub over his border into a covert, small or large, of his neighbors, and try to kill him in any way he can, except by use of spade or pick as mentioned previously, it is better to keep to your own country till later on; besides farmers must be considered — crops have not yet been turned into bank notes and broken fences at this time are liable to cause much future trouble. Therefore, orthodox hunting is best left till as late in October as possible. Cubhunting is entirely a private matter, and no business of anyone's but the Master's, to condi- tion and school his pack and educate his foxes — anyone coming out comes out on sufferance. It must be left entirely to the discretion of the Master how many cubs he thinks it advisable to kill, also whether he sends cards of these meets out or not, and at what hour he decides to meet. As regards neutral countries, no absolute rule is applicable which would suit them all, the local neutrality being generally fixed by the two Hunt Committees concerned. Any dispute arising should be amicably settled by representatives of the Hunt Committees interested. Some countries have a portion that is drawn by two different packs, taking months and months about; other neutral portions are drawn just as it suits these packs, and so on. 10 As to the moving of cubs, this is always a very doubtful policy, as cubs rarely do well when trans- ferred from one part of the country to the other. If a complaint is made to the Master as regards a litter being in too close proximity to a poultry roost, it is better to send the huntsman to burn some sul- phur in the holes, and the vixen is certain to shift them that night. Care must be taken not to overdo it and thereby smother the cubs. As regards cubs in a boundary fence adjoining a neighboring hunt, or even near the boundary of another hunt, these should under no circumstances be tampered with by a Master unless he is in complete accord with the neighboring Master, as the latter, for instance, may have a covert close to where he is expecting these cubs to shift into, or they may, in fact, have been originally laid down there, and made a shift over the boundary for a week or two. It would therefore be a most unneighborly action to move them, besides being absolutely against the rules and usages of foxhunting. A Master of a pack of hounds has undoubtedly a perfect right to take hounds home whenever he wishes. He is absolute master. The country is handed over to him to hunt to the best of his ability, and if he for any reason considers the interests of the Hunt will be furthered by his taking the hounds home, he can do so for any cause whatever, either because of the field over-riding hounds, riding over crops, or any want of discipline, or any other reason, though, of course, it is better to send the offender home than take extreme measures, which spoils a day's sport for the innocent people. In countries where valuable stock, for example, blood horses, are pastured, or where particular at- tention is paid to the shooting, a Master should have a clear understanding with landowners as to what may and what may not be detrimental. 11 When the regular hunting season begins, meets should be considered as of general public interest and fixture cards and other definite means of infor- mation should reach all who may be interested, in- cluding all landowners of the district, whether sub- scribers or not. It is a simple courtesy which may be bountifully repaid. All hunt organizations should in some definite manner make it clear that everyone is welcome to hunt. There should be no hesitancy or false pride in making it plain to visitors that subscriptions are welcome in order that the hunting may be so much the more improved by the additional income. There are many who do not care to hunt by invitation alone but who would much prefer paying a subscription and feeling independent. Unless it is generally recognized that a hunt ac- cepts subscriptions there is likely to be hesitancy on the part of many who otherwise would come out. Meets should be held punctually and should be regarded most seriously. Nothing but the most ex traordinary circumstance or weather should war- rant an advertised meet being given up or its venue changed. Should such an untoward necessity arise, every possible effort must be made by the Master to notify any and all who may be interested, and in addition someone should be left at the advertised place of meeting to notify any who may come there. Nothing can be more annoying or cause greater lack of confidence in the Hunt organization than to miss the hounds owing to the fault of the Hunt. In some countries the hounds belong to trustees, having either been purchased by the country or presented to the country. In this case an incoming Master takes over a certain number, and is bound to leave the same number on his retirement, of sound working hounds. 12 On or before February first in each year a Master wishing to resign should acquaint the Hunt Committee, so as to give the country a chance of securing the services of the best Master possible; also it is only fair to the Hunt servants to be given as long as possible to obtain situations. After Feb- ruary first, no notice having been received by a Com- mittee, they are justified in presuming the Master intends going on for another season. There is a Freemasonry amongst Masters of Hounds in allowing each other the free use of any hound in their kennel for Stud purposes. No Master ever charges a Stud fee. However, he should be protected from trouble and expense in such matters. A Master must remember that the primary ob- ject of foxhunting is the hunting of the fox, and the field must be kept in control accordingly so that the fox may not be headed, nor hounds or hunt staff hindered. Too ardent members of the field should be quietly but firmly told of their error, for their ac- tions are generally due to ignorance. It should never be forgotten that all signals out hunting should be plainly understood by the staff. Without a perfect understanding between the huntsmen, whips and Master, confusion will ensue and sport suffer. The staff should always notify the field should a fox have "gone away," by the view holloa, i.e., "Tallyho," "Gone away" or "Gone away" followed in both instances by "Forward,, away, away, away, away." A whistle as used by Lord Lonsdale with the Quorn and in the Duke of Beaufort's Woodlands, may be carried for one purpose, i.e., when a fox has gone away, and used on this occasion and no other. It should be of great assistance both to the staff and field in most American countries, usually so hilly, or wooded, or both. 13 A Master eager to improve conditions in his country should strengthen his Hunt Committee and keep it as personally interested as possible in order that when the necessity arises the members may be in touch with the status quo. The limits of the country should be defined in order that responsi- bility for damage may be fixed. A map of the district should be perfected hav- ing the location of meets carefully designated thereon. The map should be divided into sections and so far as possible definite days selected for hunting the several sections. For example, let the westerly section be hunted on a Monday, the easterly section on a Wednesday and so on so that after a while the one-day-a-week man, if he lives in a Mon- day country, may make his arrangements accord- ingly and keep his Mondays open for sport. Interested individuals should be appointed to act in each section to protect the interests of the Hunt in every way, keeping the Master informed of conditions in their section and holding themselves liable to call from him to see that necessary things are done from time to time. ad infinitum. A Master of Foxhounds should proceed in the following order of precedence to 1st. Make the hunting as popular as possible with all in his community. 2d. Evolve a fencing and panelling system. 3d. Have a plentiful supply of foxes. 4th. Improve the pack in ability and appear- ance. Finally indulge in the luxuries of perfect horses and perfect equipment for his hunt staff. "For forms of government let fools contest! Whate'er is best administered, is best." 14 The Unwritten Law^s of Foxhunting Personal It has been said that he who hunts the wild fox goes out in the true spirit of sport — he rides to hunt — but he who rides after the drag hounds, hunts to ride and for excitement's sake. As much as it hurts to acknowledge it, we Americans are woefully superficial in our sporting knowledge. Unfortunately we have little custom or precedent to guide — hunting cannot be main- tained or improved in the future unless hunting people realize their responsibilities and their relation to the landowner — the relation of guest to host. It is pathetic to think of the asinine actions that have been from time to time perpetrated by both ignorant and selfish hunting people. Townspeople are prone to imagine that the broad fields of the country belong to no one because no one is in sight — they too frequently forget that their hunting is made possible only through the courteous hospitality and sporting spirit of landholders who have often never seen them and that every fence that is knocked down must be replaced by someone. Landowners while standing in their own fields have been cursed and threatened for no vital reason, fences have been broken and fat cattle turned loose without a word of apology, while at times when protests have been made patronizing answers have been forthcoming. Few Americans know and few stop to realize that it costs from ten to fifteen thousand dollars an- nually to properly maintain a three or four day a week country and support a fencing and panelling 15 system, without which there will be no foxhunting in the near future. In England costs are realized and the responsibilities squarely met, but with us standards are low and the payment of subscriptions are consequently often minimized or avoided. He who cares a straw about the real advancement of the sport should support his Master in every way not forgetting to subscribe to hounds with which he regularly hunts, at least the equivalent of one-half the amount it costs him per annum to feed his hunters, for what good are the hunters without good hunting? A new-comer into a country should at once in- form the Master or Secretary of the Hunt, so that all Hunt notices may be sent him. He should inquire what subscriptions would be satisfactory for him to give, if there is no rule laid down by the Hunt Committee, and also if there are special funds. He should send his check at once, and write a note asking if the Master has any objection to his coming out cubhunting. The Master will, of course, answer the letter in a gracious manner, saying how pleased he will be to see him incidentally calling attention to the fact that in his country at least, hunting is made possible only through the sporting spirit of landowners whose crops must never be trampled nor their cattle disturbed, also that gates must be closed and damage reported. In a new country it is always better to be under- dressed than over-dressed, the wearing of preten- tious clothing being the least important adjunct to the chase. Where one rides, the way one rides and the quality of one's horses are of infinitely more im- portance than attire. Members of the field should come to the meet and not anticipate the draw. 16 No one should speak to a hunt servant without first riding up to the Master and getting his per- mission to do so; but the less a huntsman or whip is spoken to the more time he will have to attend to the business in hand. There is no class of person who gets a Hunt into disrepute more than grooms. These, as a rule, are extremely thoughtless and noted for leaving gates open and causing other damage. The strictest orders possible should be given to them, not once, but several times during the season. Keenness is, of course, excusable, but the less conspicuous a member of the field makes himself the better it is for sport. I've just a word, a warning word to whisper in your ear! When starting from the covert, should you see bold reynard bust. We cannot have no huntin, if the gemmen go fust." Great care should be exercised in not rushing at jumps coincidently with others. Nothing is more dangerous or more likely to make a man or woman unpopular. Women are, unfortunately, prone to be heedless in this particular. The injuring of a hound by one's horse, through carelessness, is an unpardonable sin which can hardly be atoned for. It takes years to perfect a good pack of hounds, of which individuals may have cost hundreds of dollars and be invaluable. "Sufficiently forward, yet still keeping bounds, His wish to ride after, not over the hounds," has often been quoted as a warning to impatient people. Any horse is liable to kick a hound or rider. Care should be exercised in this regard and animals especially prone to this trait should have a bit of red ribbon tied in the tail. A member of the field should never holloa or attempt to make hunting noises when any of the staff is present. If a fox is viewed when one is 17 alone, the holloa, 'Tallyho" may be given several times until the attention of the staff is called, but then only in case there is no danger of turning the fox. In every possible instance it is better to call attention to the whereabout of the fox with as little noise as possible, such as by waving the arm, or by raising the hat on one's crop, pointing meanwhile in the direction the fox has taken. Hunting people when crossing fields or on the road in remote country districts should always salute anyone they may meet with a pleasant word or bow. Should he come to an open gate and there is no one else in sight behind him, he must always shut it. Should someone be following, the cry "Gate, please" should be passed back. It is his business who wishes to hunt in the future to see that fence damage done by himself or others is repaired or carefully reported to the Master as soon as prac- ticable. Every man or woman who has the slightest in- terest in the local hounds should consider it his own particular business and sacred duty toward the sport to help build up hunting by generously supporting the Hunt organization and attempting by word and deed to smooth its none too easy path. Do not criticise harshly or unjustly. Gossip not at all. In nuce. Hunting people should remember: 1st. That the task of the Master of Foxhounds is no easy one, and that it is as absolutely impossible to find a perfect Master of Hounds, as it is to find a perfect man or perfect woman. 2d. That the responsibilities of the Master and field to the community and to the welfare of the sport are great. 18 . 3d. That upon their own individual words, ac- tions and subscriptions depend present and future conditions. 4th. That when they have complaints to make they should ask themselves, "What have I personally done to help matters, and how much do I subscribe to hounds?" A Word to t-andliolders The question often arises in the minds of Ameri- can landowners, who are not active hunting men, what good comes to them by permitting their land to be ridden over. As surely as the sun rises and sets the answer is as follows: There are more hunting people and less hunting country in America each year. In any country where the hunting is well done, where the hunt organization works for the future, and where the landowners help the cause it will only be a very few years before land in that country is readily salable at prices far above its mere agricultural value, and because of the hunting. There are thousands upon thousands of square miles of fine agricultural land in America, but only a few square miles of foxhunting country. A word to the wise ought to be sufficient. But don't forget to keep out all wire! 19 A Word Picture for Americans to Copy With thanks to T. F. Dale The first day that we hunt with the Belvoir will always remain in our memory, so associated is the pack with the history of fox-hunting and the fox- hound. So many men in the past have looked on this hunt as the very embodiment and type of the best side of our national sport that we feel that a day with the Belvoir is an experience not easily to be forgotten. Suppose then that some Wednesday early in the season we find ourselves at Croxton Park. The day is cloudy, and the wind has a touch of east in it. The remains of the old fishing lodge of the Duke of Rutland are before us, and the pond's steely grey in the subdued misty light of the No- vember morning adds a beauty to the landscape. There is a gathering of all the hardest riders, soldiers, statesmen, men of business, lawyers and farmers, people of every degree of rank and wealth. Then the women are on the best horses that money can buy or judgment select; others are riding less high-bred, but still useful animals; and there are many on foot and quite a cloud of cyclists. There, too, quietly being walked up and down, is the famous pack, all with a wonderful family like- ness in shape and colouring. Clean and bright in their coats, they have the easy grace and motion of perfect shape. Marvellous examples of careful selec- tion they are, combining strength and speed that can tire out and outstrip the best of horses. The Hunt servants are neatly got up in quiet and workmanlike manner, and are mounted on horses chosen by one of 21 the best judges in England. A trifle high in flesh for hunt horses perhaps; but when you have said that, you have said all that the keenest critic can find to object to. Every one is full of hope and ex- pectation, for the whole season is before them with its possibilities of glorious moments, the hke of which can be enjoyed only in the hunting-field. The huntsman possibly feels a little anxious, for the whole throng depend on him for their sport; and, as he is judged strictly by results, a bad scenting day, for which he is in no way responsible, may nevertheless lower his reputation. But, after all, he is not much to be pitied, for his work is his pleasure, and he knows as no one else does what those eighteen or twenty couple of hounds can do. The Master has his cares, for the very popularity of the hunt fills his mind with a continual dread lest some of those reckless youths should take as little thought for his hounds as they do for their own necks. He looks at his watch and nods to the huntsman, who moves quietly off, the pack cluster- ing round his horse and then trotting on in their eagerness as far in front as their respect for the first whipper-in, who leads the way and represents order and discipline, will allow. They know what is before them, and their waving sterns flash white in the anticipation of coming pleasure that fills them. Bescaby Oaks is the first covert to be drawn. The field follow till they are packed in a muddy green lane where they can do little mischief and whence many of them will find it hard to disentangle them- selves. But we have edged as near the gate on the right as may be. The leaves are still on the trees^ golden, scarlet and brown, and there is that inde- scribable scent of hunting in the air that stirs us with the associations of past pleasures of the chase. There is a cheer from the huntsman, a crack of 23 the thong of a whipper-in, then a note from a hound which silences the chatter in the lane and brings every one to attention. Then arises a tumult of hound voices which sinks into silence and swells out again. The clamour divides and tells us there are two lines, and then a shrill voice sounds from the far side of the covert. Those nearest the gate dash through, up one side and down to the left, half the horses out of hand with excitement; but there is no time to lose for the fox is away, and the Belvoir hounds are already striving forward. With incon- ceivable rapidity they flit through the undergrowth, and, by the time the first men are through the gate and out of the covert, the whole pack has tumbled out of the wood spread wide for the scent, hit off the line, and are streaming away with a rippling^ chiming cry that tells of a scent. Now, catch hold of the horse by the head and send him along, for, even though he has the best blood of the Stud book in his veins, hounds will beat him for pace. Sit back and let him have plenty of rein at the first hairy fence, for there is probably a ditch as well to clear, and, as he flings the first two fences behind him, there will be more room. The mass of the field are hindering each other at the gate or making for a gap, heedless of the fact that with a good horse the safest and happiest place is in front. But it is the hounds we have come out to see, and the horse is but the means to an end. See, they have overrun the line. The fox, only a cub, feels the pace already and turns short down a hedgerow. The hounds never pause or waver but cast themselves widely and freely to the left, then to the right, and, with scarcely the loss of a moment, are going as fast as ever. But the pace steadies them, and there is a bit of bad scenting ground where they have to feel for the scent ; yet, even though they are hunting closely, they still drive forward, never wasting a 23 moment. There is no dwelling to rejoice over the scent, and though they are not able to race, we shall have to look to it that we do not lose them. The eager puppies and two impetuous leaders are off the line now and again, but the hounds in the middle never lose the scent and recall the others by a timely note. But in the small square covert of thorns the fox, being young and inexperienced, has waited, and that pause has sealed his fate, for this time hounds and fox come out almost together, and it is a race for life for the fox and a steeplechase for the followers for the next two miles till the hounds fairly run into him in the open. A Belvoir burst of twenty minutes of the best! So the day, with perhaps another burst, or it may be a long steady hunt, goes on. If you stay to the end, when the hounds turn away for the kennels at the end of the day, you will see that they will trot off as gaily as they started in the morning. The Master, the ser- vants, and the much diminished field will have tired out two horses apiece, but courage and condition will apparently leave the hounds as willing and able to hunt when the shadows of the short November twi- light put a stop to the sport, as when they left their kennels in the morning. Now, this pack that you have watched and fol- lowed with so much interest and pleasure, is the result of at least a hundred years of selection, judg- ment and thought. There are fifty or sixty couples in kennels and as many puppies are sent out to walk, of whom not a third will be found worthy of a trial in the pack, and fewer still of a permanent place on the hound list. The first definite knowledge we have of the Belvoir hounds is in 1727, in the days of the third Duke of Rutland. His son, the famous Marquis of Granby, spent some of the time he could spare from "the wars" in hunting, and we know that he improved the pack. The fourth Duke married a 24 Somerset, the beautiful Lady Mary Isabella, whose portrait by Sir Joshua hangs on the walls at Bad- minton, and from Badminton came two hounds. Champion and Topper, to which many of the famous hounds of Brocklesby and Belvoir can be traced back, through Songstress. From 1791 the pack has been hunted by a succes- sion of able huntsmen who remained long at their posts, Newman, Shaw, Goosey, Goodall, Cooper, Gil- lard and Capell having each hunted the pack in turn from 1791 to the present day. 25 A Word as to Gossip With thanks to G. F. Underhill It often happens that the people whom we con- sider to be our best friends are our worst enemies, and that the people whom we had always regarded as our worst enemies were in- reality our best friends. Especially is this the case in the hunting world. A Master of Hounds, unless he possesses superhuman intelligence, cannot distinguish between his staunch supporters and "the snakes in the grass," who pretend to be friendly towards hunting. I have been told that in many instances this secret hostility to hunting has been caused by the indiscreet con- duct of the Master of Hounds, who has failed to recognize the important social position of the large covert-owners. Admitting my information to be true, surely the secret hostility would be against the Master of Hounds and not against the sport ! I cannot imagine that any one of the large covert- owners who have preserved foxes for us, and whose fathers and grandfathers have preserved foxes for us, would renounce his love of hunting for the sake of some personal dislike. He may use his influence in order to force the Master to resign. In the heat of the moment he may even threaten that he would not allow hounds to draw his coverts, though his listeners know that he would never carry his threat into execution. It sometimes happens, however, that one of his listeners is "a snake in the grass," and the threat is noised abroad. "They say that the Squire won't allow hounds to draw his coverts." The report spreads from the county club to the village alehouse, and is magnified by the literary opponents of hunting in the local press into the bald statement that the Squire is adverse to the 27 sport. In such an instance the disguised enemy of hunting is the gossiping Paul Pry, who first circu- lated the report. On one occasion I was the witness of the start of an unpleasant occurrence of this character. There had been a difference of opinion between the Master and a covert-owner in the hunting-field, and strong language had been used on both sides. It is un- necessary to relate the merits or demerits of the dispute, which was amicably settled within a week, so far as the principal parties were concerned. But, unfortunately, before the settlement of the dispute, the covert-owner had said at a dinner-party at his own house that he would not allow the Master to draw his coverts until he had apologized. This state- ment was made before a private circle of supposed friends over the mahogany after dinner ; yet within a few days it was the public property of the country- side, with the important omission of the clause as to the apology. It was never discovered for an abso- lute certainty who was "the snake in the grass" on this occasion, though most of the guests formed a shrewd opinion as to the identity of the reptile. The people who retail hunting scandal must be reckoned amongst the most dangerous disguised ene- mies of the sport. I believe that in many cases they do not intend to create mischief, but I could relate many instances where malice pretense was plainly the motive of the scandal. I am sorry to say that often ladies are the culprits, though I am glad to record that I have heard ladies put down this scandal-mongering with a strong voice when it was impossible for a man to utter the rebuke. Of course, we must expect to find what Punch calls "feline amenities" in the hunting-field; but when these feline amenities affect the prestige of the Hunt they must be restrained by a strong hand, if only for the reason that they destroy the social charm of hunt- ing. But I do not wish to be accused of want of chivalry. When all has been said, the tittle-tattle of ladies is seldom taken seriously by sensible people. 28 As to the Huntsman V/ith thanks to G. F. Underhill No man, be he a professional or an amateur hunts- man, can manage a pack properly unless he is on speaking terms with each hound. Most of my readers will recognize the following quotation from the journal of John Jorrocks, written immediately after he had accepted the Mastership of the Handley Cross Hounds, when he had paid his second visit to the kennels : " 'Ounds all delighted to see me ; stood up in my stirrups lookin' over the rails, 'olloain', cheerin', and talkin' to them. Yoicks Dex- terous ! Yoicks Luckylass ! Yoicks Rallywood ! Good dog ! Threw bits of biscuit as near each of them as I could pitch them, callin' the 'ounds by name to 1st them see I knew them." How many modern Masters of Hounds imitate the example of the immortal grocer. Chatting with Scott about a certain M. F. H. I said, "But surely he knows something of kennel- lore!" And Scott replied, "He don't even know the names of his own hounds." To a huntsman, as to a poet, we may apply the motto, Nascitur, non fit. There have not been many Masters of Hounds who were born huntsmen. To be a huntsman you must possess the confidence and the obedience of your hounds. Nature must have endowed you with a magnetic influence over dumb animals. So far as I am aware, no reliable scientific explanation has ever been given of this magnetic influence. Why should Herr Seeth, like a modern Daniel, be able to walk about with impunity in a lions' den? Why was it that the young apprentice, Herbert Jones, was the only jockey who could ride 29 Diamond Jubilee, or that Mr. E. P. Wilson was the only rider who could steer Roquefort across a country? Why, caeteris yarihus, should hounds obey one man more than another? Masters of Hounds are too prone to ignore the last question. They forget that no man could possibly rise to the position of a professional huntsman unless he had proved, during the days of his stable and kennel boyhood, that there was a mutual affection between him and hounds. There can be no doubt but that to a large extent this magnetic influence is heredi- tary, though, of course, early associations have much to do with it. Still, the fact remains that the children of huntsmen take to the kennels like duck- lings take to water. However, the obedience of hounds is the result of incessant kennel work. 30 Hunting Terms BABBLER: a noisy hound, one given to babbling, or flinging its tongue without cause. BILLET : the dung of the fox. BLANK: void, empty; a blank day, to draw^ a cover blank. BRUSH : the tail of the fox. BULLFINCH: a high and hairy hedge, impossible to get over and difficult to get through, whence perhaps the name, as of a fence impervious to a bullfinch, or any other bird. It might, how- ever, be a corruption of "bull fence," a fence to keep the cattle in their pastures, as it is most common in the grazing countries. It has a ditch on one side or other, sometimes on both, and altogether is a disagreeable obstacle. BURROW : the underground home of the rabbit. BURST: the first, and, generally, the fastest part of the run, when fox, hound, horse, and man are at their freshest. CARRY: to carry a good head is said of a pack of hounds all pressing and crowding to a hot scent. CAST : the spreading of the hounds in a search of a lost scent, either a natural movement or pro- moted by the huntsman, also used as a verb, to cast. CHALLENGE : the hound which first speaks to the scent in cover is said to challenge. CHECK: a stoppage in the run owing to the temporary loss of the scent ; also used as a verb, to check. CHOPPED : a fox killed before he has had time to break cover is said to have been chopped. 31 COCKTAIL: any horse not thoroughbred. COUNTER : hounds are running counter when they are hunting the scent the reverse way, i.e., away from the game. CROP : a hunting-whip. CROPPER: a bad fall; the words crumpler and crowner are also used in the same significance, the latter generally with the addition of the epithet imperial. CUB : the young of the fox. DEN : the home or burrow of the fox. DOUBLE : a fox or hare doubles when it turns short back on its line. DRAG: the scent left by the fox returning home from his midnight prowlings. Also a fictitious scent produced by trailing or dragging along the ground a rabbit-skin, wisp of straw, piece of rag, or any receptive substance soaked in aniseed. Drag hounds is the term applied to a pack (generally a very scratch one) kept par- ticularly for this sort of chase. DRAW : used of the hounds ranging for their game. EARTH: the underground home or burrow of the fox. EARTH-STOPPER : the man whose business it is to see that all the neighbouring earths are duly stopped on hunting days. This must be done overnight, when the foxes are abroad after their food. FEATHER: when a hound has a fancy that he scents his game, but is not yet quite certain enough to give tongue or speak to it, his stern will be observed to be violently agitated : this is called "feathering on the scent." FOIL: an animal runs its foils when it returns on its own tracks. FORM : the seat, or kennel, of the hare. 32 FULL-CRY: originally used of the chorus of tongues when all the pack acknowledge a burn- ing scent; but the phrase now is generally taken to mean that period of the chase when the hounds are fairly settled on the line, and all, hunted and hunters, are doing their best — a period when hounds are as a rule going too fast to have much wind to spare for any musical performances. HARK-FORWARD: the huntsman's cheer to his hounds to encourage them on the scent. HEADED : turned from the line. HEEL : see Counter and Foil. JACK-HARE : a male hare. JUMPING-POWDER : a facetious name for any stimulant taken to cheer a fainting heart, on the old principle of keeping spirits up by pour- ing spirits down. KENNEL : the lair of the fox either above or below ground. LEVERET : the young of the hare up to a year old. LIFT: to take the hounds from the point where they have lost the scent quickly forward with- out waiting to cast on the chance of hitting it off again. A hazardous game to play, but some- times very effective with a clever huntsman on bad scenting days. MASK: the head of the fox. OXER: a diabolical sort of fence peculiar to the grazing countries of England, and named from its being designed to keep the cattle in their pastures. It consists of a tolerably high and strong hedge with a rail on one side, perhaps on both, standing out just far enough in the field to turn a horse neatly over after he has cleared the hedge, and a ditch somewhere. PAD : the foot of the fox. PATE : the head of the fox. 33 RIOT : when fox-hounds hunt any scent but that of the fox they are said to be running riot. SCORING: hounds are said to be scoring to cry when the scent is very hot and every hound in the pack is speaking to it. SCUT : the tail of the hare or rabbit. SKIRTER: a hound that runs wide of the pack, "playing his own hand," so to speak. SO-HO: the cry raised when a hare is viewed (probably a corruption of "See, ho!"). STERN : the tail of the hound. TALLY-HO : the cheer announcing that the fox is viewed. VIXEN : the female of the fox. WHELP : a hound puppy at a very tender age. WHO-HOOP: the cheer announcing the death of the fox. WHIPPER-IN : the huntsman's subaltern, so called from one of his many offices being to impress upon the hounds the necessity of strict obedi- ence to rules, an impression which has some- times to be made with the whip. WHIP : an abbreviation of the last. 84 Names of Hounds Acheron Actor Adam Adjutant .Eolus Agarie Alaric Albany Albion Amelot Amyas Angelo Antic Antony Aramis Arbiter Archer Ardent Arrogant Artful Astrophel Athos Atlas Attila Augur Auster Bachelor Baffler Barbarous Bellamy Bellman Bluecap Blueskin Burgundy Bustler Caesar Caliban Calidore C amelot Capital Captain Caradoc Carver Castor Caterer Cato Caviller Cephalus Cerberus Challenger Champion Charon Chaser Chatterer Chieftain Chiron Chirper Choleric Chorister Cicero Claimant Clamorous dasher Claudian Claudio DOGS Countryman Courtier Crasher Critical Cruiser Crusty Currier Cymbeline Daedalus Dandy Dangerous Dasher Dashwood Desperate Dexterous Disputant Doncaster Doncourt Dragon Falstaff Fearnought Ferryman Fiddler Firebrand Fisherman Flatterer Florizel Flourisher Flyer Foreman Forester Frederick Funnyman Furio Furrier Gabriel Galahad Galaor Dreadnought Galapas Driver Gallant Eager Eagle Earnest Edgar Editor Elegant Elia Eminent Emperor Ennius Enterprise Envious Claudius Blunderbore Claverhouse Escalus Blusterous Clinker Escobar Combatant Comforter Conqueror Conrad Coroner Corydon Counsellor Boaster Boisterous Bonniface Boreas Borgia Bouncer Brilliant Etheling Ethelred Excellent Fabius Factious Falkland Galhard Galloper Gameboy Gamely Gamester Ganem Ganymede Gareth Gargery Garrulous Caspar Gatheral General Genius Genseric Gentleman Geoffrey Geryon Glorious Gobbo Goblin 35 Goldy Gondomar Gorgibus Gorlois Governor Gregory Gremio Grubbinol Grumbo Guardian Guyon Hadrian Halliday Hamlet Hannibal Harasser Harbinger Harlequin Harold Harpagon Hathaway Hatteraick Havoc Hazlewood Headstrong Hector Heedful Helicon Hercules Hereward Hero Heron Hesiod Hesperus Hickory Highflyer Hobbema Hobinol Holiday Honeyman Honeywood Horace Hotspur Hudibras Huguenot Hypocrite Ibraham Iliad Imlac Impetus Incubus Ingoldsby Inkle Irus Isaac Isenbras Ishmael Issachar Ithocles Janitor Jason Jericho Jingle Jollyboy Jonathan Jovial Juba Julian Julio Julius Jumper Juniper Junius Jupiter Juvenal Kaled Kennedy Kitely Labdacus Labourer Ladon Laelius Lambro Lammikin Lance Lancelot Lara Laurence Lazarus Leofric Leoline Leopold Leveller Liberal Libertine Lictor Lightfoot Lindor Lion Lionel Listener Littimer Loafer Loda Lodowick Lohengrin Lorimer Lovibond Lounger Lucifer Lucio Lucumo Lunatic Luria Lusty Maccabee Madoc Mahomet Malakoff Mameluke Manager Manciple Manlius Mannering Manuel Marcian Marimin Marinel Marksman Marmel Marmion Marplot Martial Marvellous Matchem Mazarin Medler Melchior Melibee Memnon Menacer Mentor Mercury Merlin Merryboy Merryman Messmate Methodist Militant Minikin Minion Mirabel Miscreant Mohican Monarch Monitor Mortimer Mulciber Mungo Mutinous Myrmido Nadab Nathan Nautilus Nibelung Nicholas Nickleby Nimrod Nobleman Nobody Norman Norval Oberon CEdipus Ogleby Olave Olifant Oliver 36 Ollapod Piper Ravenswood [ Scuffler Orator Pitiless Ravisher Seneca Oregon Plato Reasoner Sentinel Orleans Plausible Rector Sesame Orlick Playful Regent Sharper Orson Plunder Regular Shifter Osman Pluto Remus Silvio Osrick Politic Resolute Sindbad Ossian Potentate Resonant Sintram Otho Potiphar Restive Sisyphus Ouragan Prattler Reveller Skirmisher Overreach Premier Rifleman Slender President Ringwood Smiler Paeon Prettyman Rioter Sociable Pageant Priam Risingham Socrates Palamon Primate Robin Solomon Palmerin Principal Robinson Solon Pandarus Prodigal Roderick Songster Paragon Prodigy Rodomont Sorcerer Paramount Prompter Roland Sosia Paris Prophet Romeo Spanker Partner Prospero Romper Spartacus Pasquin Prosperous Romulus Specimen Patriot Prowler Rouser Speedwell Pelleas Pyramus Rover Splenetic Pellinore Pythias Ruffian Spoiler Peregrine Quentin Quixote Ruffler Spokesman Perfect Rummager Sportsman Perilles Rupert Statesman Perigot Rabelais Rustic Steady Perilous Racer Stephano Perion Racket Sampson Stickler Pertinent Rallywood Sancho Stormer Peterson Rambler Sapient Strange Petulant Rampant Saunterer Striver Phaeton Random Scamperdale Stroller Phalaris Ranger Scamperer Student Pharamond Ransack Scanderbeg Subtle Phoebus Rantaway Scaramouch Swaggerer Phormio Ranter Scattercash Sybaris Phosphorus Raphael Scavenger Sylvan Pilgrim Rasselas Schacabac Pillager Rattler Scipio Tacitus Pilot Ravager Scrambler Taillefer Pincher Ravenous Screamer Tammany Pindar Ravenshoe Scudamore Tantalus 37 Tappertit Tarquin Tartar Tasso Tatler Teaser Telamon Telephone Telephus Terence Terror Teucer Thalaba Thamyris Theodore Theseus Thrasher Thunderer Thurio Thyrsis Tickler Timon Timothy Tinto Titus Tityrus Tomalin Tomboy Tony Torment Torquil Torturer Touchstone Tozer Tragic Trajan Trampler Transport Traveller Trimbush Trimmer Tristram Triumph Trojan Trouncer Truant Trueboy Truelove Trueman Trulliber Trusty Tryamour Trywell Tubal Turbulent Tyrant Uncas Unicorn Uriel Urien Uther Vagabond Vagrant Vainlove Valentine Valiant Valorous Vanquisher Vaulter Vaunter Venturer Venturous Vermin Victor Vigilant Vigorous Villager Viper Vortigern Vulcan Waldemar Wamba Wanderer Warbler Waring Warrior Waverley Wayward Wellbred Wetheral Whipster Whitaker Whiteboy Whittington Wildair Wildboy Wildman Wilfred Wilful Winterton Wisdom Woodman Worker Workman Worthy Wrangler Wrestler Yarico Yorick Zabulon Zachary Zanga Zophiel Zosimus BITCHES Abigal Accurate Actress Adamant Adelaide Affable Agatha Airy Alison Amazon Angela Annabel Artemis Atropes Barbara Bashful Beatrice Beauty Beldam Bellicent Bendemeer Bertha Blameless Blanche Bluebell Bonnybell Bonnylass Bountiful Bradamant Busy Buxom Candour Capable Caramel Careless Carnage Caroline Catherine Celia Charity Chatterbox Chauntress Cicely Circe Claribel Clarinet Clio Comely Comical Concord Corisande Courtesy Crafty Credulous Cruelty Curious Cynthia Dainty- Dairymaid Daphne Darling Delia Delicate Destiny Diamond Dian Dido Diligent Dimity Doris Duchess Dulcimer Dutiful Easy Echo Ecstacy Edith Eglantine Eleanor Emily Endless Energy Enid Enmity Equity Etiquette Fairmaid Fairplay Faithful Fanciful Fantasy Fashion Fatima Favourite Fearless Festive Fickle Fidget Fiery Firefly Flattery Flighty Flippant Flora Florence Florida Florimel Flourish Forcible Frantic Fretful Friendly Frisky Frolic Frolicsome Funnylass Furious Fury Gaiety Gaily Gamesome Gaylass Geraldine Giddy Gillian Gluttony Goneril Gorgon Gossamer Governess Graceful Graceless Gracious Gratitude Gravity Gretchen Grethel Guinevere Gwendoline Hsemony Handsome Harmony Hasty Hazardous Hebe Hecate Hecuba Helena Helinore Heloise Hemera Hera Hermia Hero Heroine Hestia Hilda Honesty Hoyden Imogen Impudent Industry Inez Innocent Iris Isabel Isidore Isis Isoline Joceline Jollity Joyful Joyous Judith Julia Juliet Juno Kenna Kestrel Kitty Lachesis Lady Ladylike Lais Lalage Lamia Languish Lappet Laura Leda Lelia Lenity Lesbia Levity Liberty Lightning Lightsome Likely Lilian Lilith Lisa Lively Livia Lorna Lotta Lovely Lucida Lullaby Lunacy Lydia Madcap Madeline Madelon Madrigal Maenad Magdalen Magic Magical Malaprop Marcia Margaret Marian Marjory Mary Matchless Mattie Mayflower Meddlesome Megra Melody 39 Memory Merrilies Merriment Merrylass Mignon Millamant Miriam Mischief Modish Monody Music Musical Myria Nancy Nelly Nicety Nimble Niobe Nipper Norah Noma Nourmahal Novelty Oracle Oread Oriel Overdone Pamela Partner Passionate Patience Patty Pattypan Peggotty Penitent Perdita Philomel Phryne Phyllida Phyllis Placid Placida Playful Pleasant Pliant Portia Positive Prettylass Priestess Probity Prophetess Prosperpine Prudence Psyche Queenie Quickly Racket Radigund Rally Rantipole Rapid Rapine Rapture Rarity Rashness Rattle Regan Resolute Restless Rhapsody Rhodope Riot Rival Roguish Rosa Rosabel Rosalind Rosamond Rosemary Ruby Ruthless Salamis Sanquine Sappho Scylla Selima Semele Sensitive Silvia Snowball Songstress Speedy Spiteful Spitfire Sportive Sprightly Stately Stella Strenuous Surety Sybil Sycorax Symphony Tannaquil Tattle Tamora Telltale Tempest Tentative Termagant Terrible Testy Thankful Thecla Thisbe Thoughtful Tiffany Topsy Tractable Tragedy Trespass Trifle Trivia Troublesome Truelass Truemaid Trulla Tunable Tuneful Una Ursa Ursula Utha Vanda Vehement 40 Vengeance Vengeful Venomous Venturesome Venus Verity Vicious Victory Vigilance Viola Violent Violet Violin Viperus Virulent Vivian Vivid Vixen Vocal Volatile Voluble Waggery Wagtail Wanton Warlike Waspish Wasteful Watchful Welcome Whimsey Whimsical Whirligig Wildfire Willing Winifred Winipeg Wishful Wonderful Worry Wrathful Zamora Zara Zetica Zillah A Sportsman's Library BREEDING AND HISTORY The Horse in Motion,/. B. D. Stillman, Pholos^raphs by Muybridge Horse Breeding in Theory and Practice . . Richard Von Oettingen The Sporting Dog Joseph A . Graham The Complete English Wing Shot Teasdale Buckell Breeding to Color Sir Walter Gilbey Winners of the Past and Present, and Their Breeding C. F. U. Meek Origin of the Thoroughbred Horse Ridgeway The Horse in America, Vols. 1 and 2 Frank Forester HORSEMANSHIP The Art of Horsemanship Xenophon, Translated by Morris H. Morgan, Ph. D. Riding Recollections G. Whyte-Melville Anglo-French Horsemanship John Swire Method of Horsemanship Baucher Stable Hand Book T. F. Dale Horse and Horsemanship Frank Forester RACING AND STEEPLECHASING The Badminton Library — Racing Earl of Suffolk, W. G. Craven, Arthur Coventry, A. E. T. IVatson Heroes and Heroines of the Grand National Finch Mason Gentlemen Riders, Past and Present John M. Richardson and Finch Mason Steeplechase Poems Adam Lindsay Gordon Racing Life of Lord George Cavendish Bentinct, M. P John Kent and Hon. F. Lawley Turf Celebrities William, Day Race Horses in Training William Day Kings of the Turf Thormanby Kingsclere John Porter Recollections of Goodwood and the Duke of Richmond ./o/zw Kent History and Romance of the Derby Moorehouse The English Turf Charles Richardson Eclipse and O'Kelly Theodore A. Cook 41 RIDING AND HUNTING Thoughts on Hunting Peter Beckford Silk and Scarlet The Druid Scott and Sebright The Druid Saddle and Sirloin The Druid Post and Paddock The Druid The Noble Science Radcliffe The Chase Somerville Notitia Ventica Vyner Hunting Lord North Flyers of the Hunt John Mills The Life of a Fox T. Smith Hints to Huntsmen Col. J. Anstruther Thomson The Life of a Foxhound John Mills Unwritten Laws of Foxhunting C. F. P. McNeil, M.F.A. Remarks on Foxhounds Lord Henry Bentinck Life and Times of the Druid Hon. F. Lawley The Horse and Hound Nitnrod The Analysis of the Hunting Field Nimrod Nimrod's Hunting Tours Nimrod Recollections and Remarks on the Condition of YixmteTS... Nimrod Horses and Hounds Scrutator The Badminton Library — Hunting Duke of Beaufort, Asst. by A. E. T Watson Riding Recollections and Turf Stories Henry Custance Records of the Chase Cecil Quorndon Hounds Frank Forester Foxhunting Recollections Sir Reginald Graham, Bart. Reminiscences of a Huntsman Hon. Grantly F. Berkeley MISCELLANEOUS The Wilderness Hunter Col. Theodore Roosevelt King Edward VII as a Sportsman Alfred E. 1. Watson Warwick Woodlands Frank Forester Handley Cross, Mr. Rumford's Hounds R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour R. S. Surtees Market Harborough G. Whyte-Melville Songs and Verses G. Whyte-Melville 42 Memoirs of the Life of John Mytton Nimrod Life of a Sportsman Nimrod ♦' Bob " Son of Battle Alfred Ollivant Recollections of an Irish R. M Somerville & Ross A Sporting Tour Colonel T. Thornton Forty Years of a Sportsman's Life Sir C. C. DeCrespigny Racing Cups ^'^V Walter Gilbey The Old Forest-Ranger Walter Campbell John Thornton, Life of Sir Walter Gilbey SPORTING MAGAZINES English London Field Sporting and Dramatic News Bailey's Magazine Badminton Magazine The Foxhound and Horse Breeding Notes English Country Life. Australasian, Melbourne, Australia German French Sport im Bilt Le Sport Universel 43 Thus Tom spoke his friends ere he gave up his breath Since I see you've resolved to be in at the death, One favor bestow — 'tis the last 1 shall crave — Give a rattling view-halloa over my grave ; And unless at that warning I lift up my head. My boys, you may fairly conclude I am dead ! ' Honest Tom was obliged, and the shout rent the sky. For everyone joined in the tally-ho cry." FINIS De mortius nil nisi bonum. 44 Webster Fa= ::^y uorary of Veterinary Medicine Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University 200 VVestboro Road ^^ North Grafton, MA 01 536 ^ ^±.^e^