Mr. Punch In The Hunting Field

From his earliest days Mr. Punch has been an enthusiast for the Hunting Field. But in this he has only been the faithful recorder of the manners of his countrymen, as there is no sport more redolent of "Merrie England" than that of the Horse and Hound. At no time in Mr. Punch's history has he been without an artist who has specialised in the humours of the hunt. First it was the inimitable Leech, some of whose drawings find a place in the present collection, and then the mantle of the sporting artist would seem to have descended to feminine shoulders, as Miss Bowers (Mrs. Bowers-Edwards) wore it for some ten years after 1866. That lady is also represented in the present work, at pages 49 and 111. Later came Mr. G. H. Jalland, many of whose drawings we have chosen for inclusion here. Perhaps the most popular of his hunting jokes was that of the Frenchman exclaiming, "Stop ze chasse! I tomble, I faloff! Stop ze fox!!!" (see page 141). To-day, of course, it is Mr. G. D. Armour whose pencil is devoted chiefly to illustrating the humorous side of hunting; but now, as formerly, most of the eminent artists whose work lies usually in other fields, delight at times to find a subject associated with the hunt. Thus we are able to present examples of Mr. Cecil Aldin and Mr. Raven-Hill in sportive mood, while such celebrities of the past as Randolph Caldecott and Phil May are here drawn upon for the enriching of this, the first book of hunting humour compiled from the abundant chronicles of Mr. Punch.

There's no toe without a corn.

If the boot pinches—bear it.

A snack in time, saves nine.

Faint hunger never conquered tough beef-steak.

You can't make a hunter out of a hired hack.

The nearer the ground the safer the seat.

Take care of the hounds, but the fence may take care of itself.

Too many brooks spoil the sport.

One pair of spurs may bring a horse to the water, but twenty will not make him jump.

It is the howl that shows the funk.

Fools break rails for wise men to go over.

Snobs and their saddles are soon parted.

A flask in the hand is worth a cask in the vault.

Cut your sandwiches according to your stomach.

The nearer the home, the harder the seat.

It's a heavy sleep that has no turning.

Six miles from home, horse dead lame, awfully tender feet, and horribly tight boots.

"Now, if I jump it, I shall certainly fall off; and if I dismount to open it, I shall never get on again."

This is Jones, who thought to slip down by the rail early in the morning, and have a gallop with the fox hounds. On looking out of window, he finds it is a clear frosty morning. He sees a small boy sliding—actually sliding on the pavement opposite!! and—doesn't he hate that boy—and doesn't he say it is a beastly climate!!

(1) Labour omnia vincit. (Labour overcomes everything.)

(2) Ars est celare artem. "Après vous, mademoiselle!"

(3) Exeunt Omnes. (They all go off.)]

Mrs. Shodditon (to Captain Forrard, on a cub-hunting morning.) "I do hope you'll have good sport, and find plenty of foxes."

Captain Forrard. "Hope so. By the way, how is that beautiful collie of yours that I admired so much?"

Mrs. Shodditon. "Oh! Fanny! poor dear! Our keeper shot it by mistake for a fox!"

Short-sighted Party (thrown earlier, after weary tramp, thinks he sees mount on ploughed upland, and approaches bush coaxingly.) "Whoa, my beauty! Steady, my gal, steady then," &c.

Same Short-sighted Party arrived at thornbush, discovers error, and reflects—"Five miles from station, perhaps ten—fifty miles from town, missed express, missed dinner, lost mount, wet through, getting dusk, and, by the way, where am I?"

.

    [Left reflecting.

Gorgeous Stranger. "I say, Huntsman, would you mind blowing your horn two or three times? I want my fellow, who has my flask, to know where we are, don't you know!"

"Capping all non-subscribers is pretty generally resorted to, this season, not only in the shires, but also with provincial packs."—Daily Press.]

Monday.—Splendid gallop after non-subscriber. Spotted the quarry on good-looking chestnut, whilst we were drawing big covert. Edged my horse over in his direction, but non-subscriber very wary—think he must have known my face as "collector of tolls." Retired again to far side of spinney and disguised myself in pair of false whiskers, which I always keep for these occasions. Craftily sidled up, and finally got within speaking distance, under cover of the whiskers, which effectually masked my battery. "Beg pardon, sir," I began, lifting my hat, "but I don't think I have the pleasure of knowing your name as a subscri——" But he was off like a shot. Went away over a nice line of country, all grass, and a good sound take-off to most of the fences. Non-subscriber had got away with about a three lengths lead of me, and that interval was fairly maintained for the first mile and a half of the race. Then, felt most annoyed to see that my quarry somewhat gained on me as we left the pasture land and went across a holding piece of plough. Over a stiff post and rails, and on again, across some light fallow, towards a big dry ditch. The hunted one put his horse resolutely at it—must say he rode very straight, but what won't men do to avoid "parting?"—horse jumped short and disappeared from view together with his rider. Next moment I had also come a cropper at ditch, and rolled down on top of my prey. "Excuse me," I said, taking out my pocket-book and struggling to my knees in six inches of mud, "but when you rather abruptly started away from covertside, I was just about to remark that I did not think you were a subscriber, and that I should have much pleasure in taking the customary 'cap'—thank you." And he paid up quite meekly. We agreed, as we rode back together, in the direction in which we imagined hounds to be, that even if they had got away with a good fox, the field would not be likely to have had so smart a gallop as he and I had already enjoyed. Lost my day's hunting, of course.

Thursday.—Got away after another non-subscriber, led him over four fields, after which he ran me out of sight. Lost my day's hunting again, but was highly commended by M.F.H. for my zeal.

Saturday.—M.F.H. pointed out five non-subscribers, and I at once started off to "cap" them. Lost another day with hounds—shall send in my resignation.

Gent (who has just executed a double somersault and is somewhat dazed.) "Now where the dickens has that horse gone to?"

Gent (very excited after his first gallop with staghounds.) "Hi, mister, don't let the dogs maul 'im, and I'll take the 'aunch at a bob a pound!"

Extract from old Fitzbadly's letter to a friend, describing a run in the Midlands:—"I was well forward at the brook, but lost my hat, and had to dismount."

Whip (after galloping half a mile to a holloa.) "Where did you see him?"

Yokel. "Can't zay as 'ow I 'zactly zeed 'un, but I think I smelled 'un!"

Second Horseman No. 1. "Ulloah, Danny, what are you lookin' for?"

Second Horseman No. 2. "Perkisites. Guv'nor's just been over 'ere. 'E jumps so much 'igher than 'is 'orse, there's always some small change or summat to be picked up!"

[Mr. Pat O'Brien, M.P., was first in at the death on one occasion with the Meath Hounds on his bicycle, and was presented with the brush.]

"Where the——! What the——!! Who the——!!! Why the——!!!!"

Sportsman (who has mounted friend on bolting mare) shouts. "You're all right, old chap! She's never been known to refuse water, and swims like a fish!"

Old Stubbles (having pounded the swells.) "Aw—haw——! laugh away, but who be the roight side o' the fence, masters?"

Huntsman (to W.B.S.). "Just 'op across, would ye, sir, and turn those 'ounds to me, please."

Excited Shepherd (to careful Sportsman, inspecting fence with slight drop). "Come on, sir! All right! Anywhere 'ere!"

Careful Sportsman. "All very fine! You want to give me a fall, and get half-a-crown for catching my horse!"

"Hallo, Jack! What's up?"

"Don' know! I'm not!"

Huntsman (seeking a beaten fox). "Now then, have you seen anything of him?"

Cockney Sportsman (immensely pleased with himself). "Well, rather! Why, I've just driven him into this drain for you!"

"Here, my good man, just pull those rails down. Be as quick as you can!"

"Take 'em down, miss! It'll be a good four hours' job, for I've been all the mornin' a-puttin' of 'em up!"

Holiday Sportsman (to Whip, who has been hollering). "Where's the fox?"

Whip. "Gone away, of course."

H. S. "Gone away! Wotcher makin' all that noise for, then? I thought you'd caught 'im!"

Gent (who all but dissolved partnership at the last fence). "Thank goodness I've got hold of the reins again! If I could but get my foot into that confounded stirrup, I should be all right!"

Host (to Perks, an indifferent horseman, who has come down for the hunting). "Now, look here, Perks, old chap, as you're a light weight, I'll get you to ride this young mare of mine. You see, I want to get her qualified for our Hunt Cup, and she's not up to my weight, or I'd ride her myself. Perhaps I'd better tell you she hasn't been ridden to hounds before, so she's sure to be a bit nervous at first; and mind you steady her at the jumps, as she's apt to rush them; and I wouldn't take her too near other people, as she has a nasty temper, and knows how to use her heels; and, whatever you do, don't let her get you down, or she'll tear you to pieces. The last man that rode her is in hospital now. But keep your eye on her, and remember what I've said, and you'll be all right!"

    [Consternation of Perks

"Hulloah, Jarge! Been puttin' up some wire to keep the fox-hunter away?"

"Noa, I b'ain't put up no wire; but the 'unt they sends me a lot o' them boards with 'W' on um, so I just stuck 'em up all round the land, and they never comes nigh o' me now!"

Rector. "Is that the parcels post, James? He's early this morning, isn't he?" (Noise without, baying of dogs, &c.) "What's all this——"

James (excited). "Yes, sir. Postman says as how the young 'ounds, a comin' back from cubbin', found 'im near the kennels, and runned 'im all the way 'ere. They was close on 'im when he got in! Thinks it was a packet o' red 'errins in the bag, sir! I see the run from the pantry window"—(with enthusiasm)—"a beautiful ten minutes' bu'st, sir!"]

"Duck, you fool! Duck!"

"The Mudsquashington Foxhounds had a good day's sport from Wotsisname Coverts (which were laid for a large number). They found in Thingamy Woods, rattled him round the Osier Beds, and then through the Gorse, just above Sumware. Leaving this and turning left-handed, he ran on as far as Sumotherplace, where he finally got to ground. Amongst the numerous field were Lord Foozle and Lady Frump, Messrs. Borkins, Poshbury, and Tomkyn-Smith."^[A]

First Sportsman. "That crock of yours seems to be a bit of a songster."

Second Sportsman. "Yes, he has always been like that since I lent him to a well-known English tenor."

First Sportsman (drily). "You should have taken him in exchange."

The above is not a French bull-fight, but merely the unpleasant adventure Mr. Jopling experienced on our opening day, when a skittish Alderney crossed him at the first fence.

'Arry (in extremities). "Well, gi' me a bike!"

Miss Ethel. "Now, sit tight this time, Charles. How could you be so stupid as to let him go?"

Voice from the ditch. "Don't jump here!"

Irish Huntsman. "And what would ye be after down there? Wather-cresses?"

"Is fox-hunting dangerous?" asks one of our daily papers. A fox informs us that it has its risks.

Rough Rider (to old Creeper, who will not let his horse jump). "Now then, gov'nor, if you are quite sure you can't get under it, perhaps you'll let me 'ave a turn!"

Podson (lately returned from abroad). "Well, I hear you've been having a capital season, Thruster."

Thruster. "Oh, rippin'! Why, I've had both collar-bones broken, left wrist sprained, and haven't got a sound horse left in my string!"

Master Jack (son of M.F.H., much upset by hard weather). "Go skating with you! Not if I know it. May be all very well for you women and those curate chaps—but we hunting men, by George!!!"

Fred (a notorious funk). "Bai Jove! Jack, I'm afraid I've lost my nerve this season!"

Jack. "Have you? Doosid sorry for the poor beggar who finds it!"

Elderly Sportsman. "I wonder they don't have that place stopped. Why, I remember running a fox to ground there twenty years ago! Don't you?"

Lady Di (to Jack, whose vows of devotion have been interrupted by a fox being hollered away). "Oh, Jack, my hair's coming down! Do stop and hold my horse. I won't be five minutes."

A Dream of Mr. Punch's Sporting Correspondent

["Mr. Arthur Wilson, Master of the Holderness Hunt, has received an intimation from the War Office that, in consequence of the war with the Transvaal, ten of his horses will be required."—Daily Paper.]

Lady (who has just jumped on fallen Sportsman). "I'm awfully sorry! I hope we didn't hurt you?"

Fallen Sportsman. "Oh, I'm all right, thanks. But—er—do you mind leaving me my hat?"

Belated Hunting Man (to Native). "Can you kindly point out the way to the Fox and Cock Inn?"

Native. "D'ye mean the Barber's Arms?"

B. H. M. "No, the Fox and Cock!"

Native. "Well, that's what we call the Barber's Arms."

B. H. M. "Why so?"

Native (with a hoarse laugh). "Well, ain't the Fox and Cock the same as the Brush and Comb?"

[Vanishes into the gloaming, leaving the B. H. M. muttering those words which are not associated with benediction, while he wearily passes on his way.

For sportsmen, the old song long ago popular, entitled "There's a Good Time Coming, Boys," if sung by a M.F.H. with a bad cold, as thus: "There's a Good Tibe Cubbing, Boys!"

Mr. Briggs's hunting cap comes home, but that is really a thing Mrs. Briggs can not, and will not put up with!

Mr. Briggs goes out with the Brighton Harriers. He has a capital day. The only drawback is, that he is obliged to lead his horse up hill to ease him—

and down hill because he is afraid of going over his head—so that he doesn't get quite so much horse exercise as he could wish!

Mr. Briggs can't bear flying leaps, so he makes for a gap—which is immediately filled by a frantic Protectionist, who is vowing that he will pitchfork Mr. B. if he comes "galloperravering" over his fences—danged if he doant!

Miss Connie (to Gent in brook). "Could you tell me if there is a bridge anywhere handy?"

Cissy. "Why should they call the hare's tail the scut?"

Bobby (with a reputation as an authority to keep up). "Oh—er—why you see—oh, of course, because the hare scuttles, you know, when she is hunted."

"What's the matter with Jack's new horse? He won't start."

"Don't know; but they say he's been in an omnibus. Perhaps he's waiting for the bell!"

To get a toss in a snowdrift, and, while lying half-smothered, to be sworn at for not shouting to warn the man following you.

Lady (whose mare has just kicked a member of the Hunt, who was following too closely). "Oh, I'm so sorry! I do hope it didn't hurt you! She's such a gentle thing, and could only have done it in the merest play, you know."

Mr. Phunkstick (quite put out). "Talk about agricultural depression, indeed! Don't believe in it! Never saw fences kept in such disgustingly good order in my life!"

Englishman (having partaken of his friend's flask, feels as if he had swallowed melted lead.) "Terribly strong! Pure whiskey, is it not?"

Irishman. "Faith! not at all! It's greatly diluted with gin!"

Railway Porter (who has been helping lady to mount). "I hope you'll 'ave a good day, ma'am."

Lady Diana. "I just hope we'll find a fox."

Porter (innocently). "Oh, that's all right, ma'am. The fox came down by the last train!"

Fitz-Noodle's Harriers, after a capital run, have killed—a fox!

Incensed local M.F.H. "Confound it, sir, you have killed one of my foxes!"

F. N. "It's all right, old chap! You may kill one of my hares!"

"Why, where's the horse, Miss Kitty? By Jove, you're wet through! What has happened?"

"Oh, the stupid utterly refused to take that brook, so I left him and swam it. I couldn't miss the end of this beautiful thing!"

Sportsman (to friend, whom he has mounted on a raw four-year-old for "a quiet morning's outing"). "Bravo, Jack! Well done! That's just what the clumsy beggar wanted. Teach him to look where he's going!"

"Be'n't ye comin' over for 'im, mister?"

Sir Harry Hardman, mounted on "Behemoth," created rather a stir at the meet. He said he didn't care a hang for the barbed or any other kind of wire.

"Hulloa, old chap! Not hurt, I hope?"

"Oh, no, no! Just got off to have a look at the view."

Whip. "Here, here! Hold hard! Come back!"

Tommy (home for the holidays). "No jolly fear! You want to get first start!"

Favourite Son of M.F.H. (to old huntsman). "No, Smith, you won't see much more of me for the rest of the season; if at all."

Smith (with some concern). "Indeed, sir! 'Ow's that?"

Son of M.F.H. "Well, you see, I'm reading hard."

Smith (interrogatively). "Readin' 'ard, sir?"

Son of M.F.H. "Yes, I'm reading Law."

Smith. "Well, I likes to read a bit o' them perlice reports myself, sir, now an' then; but I don't allow 'em to hinterfere with a honest day's 'untin'."

Brown (on foot). "Do you know what the total is for the season?"

Simkins (somewhat new to country life). "Fifteen pairs of foxes, the huntsman says. But he seems to have kept no count of rabbits or 'ares, and I know they've killed and eaten a lot of those!"

Young Lady (politely, to old Gentleman who is fiddling with gap). "I don't wish to hurry you, sir, but when you have quite finished your game of spilikins I should like to come!"

Sportsman (to Dancing Man, who has accepted a mount). "Hold on tight, sir, and she'll waltz over with you.

Benevolent Stranger. "Allow me, sir, to offer you a drink!"

Unfortunate Sportsman (just out of brook). "Thanks; but I've had a drop too much already!"

Huntsman (having run a fox to ground, to yokel). "Run away down and get some o' your fellows to come up with spades, will ye? Tell 'em we're after hidden treasure!"

Among his native banks Old Poddles takes a lot of beating. He says there's nothing easier when you know how to negotiate 'em.

Jobson, who edits a cheerful little weekly, said to me the other day:

"You hunt, don't you?"

I looked at him knowingly. Jobson interpreted my smile according to his preconceived idea.

"I thought so," he continued.

"Well, you might do me a bright little article—about half a column, you know—on hunting, will you?"

Why should I hesitate? Jobson is safe for cash; and he had not asked me to give my own experiences of the hunting field. I replied warily, "I fancy I know the sort of thing you want."

"Good," he said, and before we could arrive at any detailed explanation he had banged the door and dashed downstairs, jumped into his hansom and was off.

This was the article:-

It is hardly possible to overrate the value of hunting as a National sport. Steeplechasing is a Grand-National sport, but it is the sport of the rich, whereas hunting is not. By judiciously dodging the Hunt Secretary, you can, in fact, hunt for nothing. Of course, people will come at me open-mouthed for this assertion, and say, "How about the keep of your horses?" To which I reply, "If you keep a carriage, hunt the carriage horse; if you don't, borrow a friend's horse for a long ride in the country, and accidentally meet the hounds." To proceed. This has been a season of poor scent. Of course, the horses of the present day have deteriorated as line hunters: they possess not the keen sense of smell which their grandsires had. But despite this the sport goes gaily on. There are plenty of foxes—but we cannot agree with the popular idea of feeding them on poultry. And yet, in every hunt, we see hunters subscribing to poultry funds. This is not as it should be: Spott's meat biscuit would be much better for foxes' food.

But these be details: let us hie forrard and listen to the cheery voice of sly Reynard as he is winded from his earth. The huntsman blows his horn, and soon the welkin rings with a chorus of brass instruments; the tufters dash into covert, and anon the cheerful note of Ponto or Gripper gives warning that a warrantable fox is on foot—well, of course, he couldn't be on horseback, but this is merely a venatorial façon de parler. Away go the huntsmen, showing marvellous dexterity in cracking their whips and blowing their horns at the same moment. Last of all come the hounds, trailing after their masters—ah, good dogs, you cannot hope to keep up very far with the swifter-footed horses! Nevertheless, they strain at their leashes and struggle for a better place at the horses' heels. "Hike forrard! tally ho! whoo-hoop!" They swoop over the fields like a charge of cavalry. But after several hours' hard running a check is at hand: the fox falters, then struggles on again, its tail waving over its head. As its pursuers approach, it rushes up a tree to sit on the topmost branch and crack nuts.

The panting horses arrive—some with their riders still in the saddle, though many, alas! have fallen by the wayside. Next come the hounds, at a long interval—poor Fido, poor Vic, poor Snap! you have done your best to keep up, but the horses have out-distanced you! The whipper-in immediately climbs the tree in which the little red-brown animal still peacefully cracks its nuts, its pretty tail curled well over its head. Its would-be captor carries a revolving wire cage, and, by sleight-of-hand movement, manages to get the quarry securely into it. Then he descends, places the cage in a cart and it is driven home.

The "mort" is sounded by four green velvet-coated huntsmen, with horns wound round their bodies; a beautiful brush presented to the lady who was first up at the "take"; and then the field slowly disperse. Tally Ho-Yoicks! all is over for the day.

Always be prepared to give the lead to a lady, even at some little personal inconvenience.

Having been cannoned and nearly brought down, to be asked if you are trying the American seat.

The Cast Shoe, or Late for the Meat.

First Rustic (to Second Ditto). "Oh, I say! Ain't he fond of his horse!"

M.F.H. "Hold hard! Hold hard, please!! Where are you going with that brute?"

Diana (plaintively). "I wish I knew!"

Lady. "You're dropping your fish!"

Irish Fish Hawker (riding hard). "Och, bad luck to thim! Niver moind. Sure we're kapin' up wid the gentry!"

(Mr. Twentystun having a nip on his way to covert)

Small Boy. "Oh my, Billy, 'ere's a heighty-ton gun a chargin' of 'isself afore goin' into haction!"

Huntsman. "How is it you never have any foxes here now?"

Keeper (who has orders to shoot them.) "Pheasants have eat 'em all!"

M.F.H. (who has had occasion to reprimand hard-riding Stranger.) "I'm afraid I used rather strong language to you just now."

Stranger. "Strong language? A mere twitter, sir. You should hear our Master!"

Irate Non-sporting Farmer. "Hi! you there! What the Duce do you mean by riding over my wheat!"

'Arry. "'Ere, I say! What are yer givin' us? Wheat! Why, it's only bloomin' mud!"

A valuable hunter, belonging to Mr. Durlacher, got its hind foot securely fixed in its mouth one day last week, and a veterinary surgeon had to be summoned to its assistance. This recalls the ancient Irish legend of the man who never opened his mouth without putting his foot into it. But that, of course, was a bull.

Nervous Visitor (pulling up at stiff-looking fence.) "Are you going to take this hedge, sir?"

Sportsman. "No. It can stop where it is, as far as I'm concerned."

The Pride of the Hunt (to Smith, who, for the last ten minutes, has been gallantly struggling with obstinate gate.) "Mr. Smith, if you really can't open that gate, perhaps you will kindly move out of the way, and allow me to jump it!"

Brown (helping lady out of water.) "'Pon my word, Miss Smith, you remind me exactly of What's-her-name rising from the What-you-call!"

M.F.H. (riding up to old Rustic, with the intention of asking him if he has seen the lost fox.) "How long have you been working here, master?"

Old Rustic (not seeing the point.) "Nigh upon sixty year, mister!"

Whip. "Wisdom! Get away there!! Wisdom!! Wisdom!!! Ugh!—you always were the biggest fool in the pack!"

Mrs. Brown (being helped out of a brook by the gallant Captain, who has also succeeded in catching her horse.) "Oh, Captain Robinson! thank you so much!"

Gallant, but somewhat flurried, Captain. "Not at all—don't mention it." (Wishing to add something excessively polite and appropriate.) "Only hope I may soon have another opportunity of doing the same again for you."

Criticising friend (to nervous man on new horse.) "Oh! now I recollect that mare. Smashem bought her of Crashem last season, and she broke a collar-bone for each of them."

First Whip thanks him, and hums to himself, "When other tips, and t'other parts, Then he remembers me!"

Giles (indicating Sportsman on excitable horse, waiting his turn.) "Bless us all, Tumas, if that un beant a goin' to try it back'ards!"

Dismounted Huntsman (to his mount.) "Whoa, you old brute! To think I went and spared yer from the biler only last week! You hungrateful old 'idebound 'umbug!"

(1)On Clothes.—"Why not employ local talent? Saves half the money, and no one can tell the difference."

(2) If the thong of your whip gets under your horse's tail, just try to pull it out!

(3) Don't buy a horse because he is described as being "Well known with the—— Hounds." It might be true.

(4) If at a meet your horse should get a bit out of hand, just run him up against some one.

(5) If opening a gate for the huntsman, don't fall into the middle of the pack!

(6) Sit well back at your fences!

(7) Look before you leap.

(8) If you lose your horse, just tell the huntsman to catch it for you.

M.F.H. (justly irate, having himself come carefully round edge of seed-field.) "Blank it all, Rogerson, what's the good o' me trying to keep the field off seeds, and a fellow like you coming slap across 'em?"

Hard-Riding Farmer. "It's all right. They're my own! Ar've just come ower my neighbour's wheat, and ar couldn't for vary sham(e) miss my own seeads!"

Dealer (to Hunting Man, whose mount has NOT answered expectations.) "How much do you want for that nag o' yours, sir?"

Hunting Man. "Well, I'll take a hundred guineas."

Dealer. "Make it shillings."

H. M. (delighted.) "He's yours!"

Miss Scramble. "Now, Charles, give me one more long hair-pin, and I shall do."

Owner of let-out hunters (to customer just returned from day's sport.) "Are you aware, sir, that ain't my 'orse?"

Sportsman. "Not yours! Then, by Jove, I did collar the wrong gee during that scrimmage at the brook!"

Stranger from over the water. "I guess you've a mighty smart bunch of dogs there, m'lord!"

Noble but crusty M.F.H. "Then you guess wrong, sir. This is a pack of hounds!"

"Wish you'd feed your horse before he comes out."

"Eh—why—hang it!—what do you mean?"

"He's always trying to eat my boots. He evidently thinks there's some chance of getting at a little corn!"

(A Reminiscence of the past Harrier Season)

Major Topknot, M.H. (to butcher's boy.) "Hi! Hulloah! Have you seen my hare?"

Butcher's Boy. "Ga-a-rn! 'Ave you seen my whiskers?"

Sportsman (just come to grief, to Kindhearted Stranger who has captured horse.) "I say, I'm awfully obliged to you! I can get on all right, so please don't wait!"

Kindhearted Stranger. "Oh, I'd rather, thanks! I want you to flatten the next fence for me!"

Nervous Man (who hires his hunters.) "Know anything about this mare? Ringbone tells me she's as clever as a man!"

Friend. "Clever as a man? Clever as a woman more like it! Seen her play some fine old games with two or three fellows, I can tell you!"

Voice from bottom of ditch. "Hold hard a minute! My money has slipped out of my pockets, and it's all down here somewhere!"

John. "Goin' to give up 'untin'! Deary! deary! An' 'ow's that, missie?"

Little Miss Di. "Well, you see, John, I find my cousin Charlie, who is going to be a curate, does not approve of hunting women, so I intend to be a district visitor instead!"

Mrs. Prettyphat. Family Motto—"Medici jussu."

Huntsman (on being introduced to future wife of M.F.H..) "Proud to make your acquaintance, miss! Known the Capting, miss, for nigh on ten seasons, and never saw 'im turn 'is 'ead from hanything as was jumpable! Knows a 'oss and knows a 'ound! Can ride one and 'unt t'other; and if that ain't as much as can be looked for in a 'usband, miss, why, I'll be jiggered!"

Huntsman (who has just drawn Mr. Van Wyck's coverts blank.) "Rather short of cubs, I'm afraid, sir!"

Mr. Van Wyck (who has very recently acquired his country seat.) "Most extraordinary! Can't understand it at all! Why, I told my keeper to order a dozen only last week!"

How "the second horseman" went home.

Scene—As above. Time—Mid-day. Sport—None up to now.

Stout Party (about to leave.) "Most extr'ordinary thing. Whenever I go home, they always have a rattling good run."

Candid Friend. "Then, for goodness' sake, go home at once!"

Dismounted Sportsman. "Now, how the deuce did my hat manage to get up there?"

Huntsman (to Boy, who is riding his second horse.) "Hi, there! What the doose are yer doin' of with that second 'oss?"

Boy (Irish, and only just come to the Hunt stables from a Racing Establishment.) "Arrah thin, if oi roides oi roides to win! and divil a second is he goin' to be at all, at all!!"

Member of Hunt (to Farmer.) "I wouldn't ride over those seeds if I were you. They belong to a disagreeable sort of fellow, who might make a fuss about it."

Farmer. "Well, sir, as him's me, he won't say nothing about it to-day."

(Extract from a letter received by Mr. Shootall on the morning when hounds were expected to draw his covers)

Leadenhall Market, Thursday.

Sir,—Your esteemed order to hand. We regret that we are quite out of foxes at present; but, as you mentioned they were for children's pets, we thought guinea pigs might do instead, so are sending half a dozen to-day. Hoping, &c., &c.

Sportsman (suffering from intense aberration of mind in consequence of the weather, in reply to wife of his bosom.) "Put out? Why, o' course I'm put out. Been just through the village, and hang me if at least half a dozen fools haven't told me that it's nice seasonable weather!"

Mr. Hardhit. "Don't you think, Miss Highflier, that men look much better in pink—less like waiters?"

Miss Highflier. "Yes, but more like ringmasters—eh?"

    [Hardhit isn't a bit offended, but seizes the opportunity.

In mounting your horse, always stand facing his tail.

The patent pneumatic tennis-ball hunting costume. Falling a pleasure.

Second Whip. "G-aw-ne away!"

Middle-aged Diana. "Go on away, indeed! Impertinence! I'll go just when I'm ready!"

Fox-hunter. "Here's a bore, Jack! The ground is half a foot thick with snow, and it's freezing like mad!"

One of the best runs of the season.

Good scent all the way.

Sir Heavistone Stogdon unfortunately fell at a stiff bank and broke his collar-bone.

At the last moment, I regret to say, the fox got away.

(After a tapestry)

He encounters a "coomb," and wonders if it is soft at the bottom.

Sportsman (from the bog.) "Confound you, didn't you say there was a sound bottom here?"

Shepherd. "Zo there be, maister; but thou 'aven't got down to un yet!"

How he found a "Warrantable Deer."

In Devonshire.

Jones (who has been having a fair bucketing for the last half-hour, as he passes friend, in his mad career.) "I'd give a fiver to get off this brute!"

Friend (brutally.) "Don't chuck your money away, old chap! You'll be off for less than that!"

Leading Sportsman. "Hold ha—rd! Here's some more of that confounded barbed wire! Dashed if I don't think this country is mainly inhabited by retired fishing-tackle makers!"

[Makes for nearest gate, followed by sympathetic field.

Jenkinson (to M.F.H., who dislikes being bothered.) "What do you think of this horse?" (No answer.) "Bred him myself, you know!"

M.F.H. (looking at horse out of corner of his eye.) "Umph! I thought you couldn't have been such a silly idiot as to have bought him!"

Bibulous Binks. "Gad, it's freezing again!"

"He can jump, but he won't!"

(Hounds at fault)

Whip (bustling up to young Hodge, who has just begun to wave his cap and sing out lustily.) "Now then, where is he?"

Young H. "Yonder, sir! Acomin' across yonder!"

Whip. "Get out, why there ain't no fox there stoopid!"

Young H. "No, sir; but there be our Billy on his jackass!"

Miss Nelly (to her Slave, in the middle of the best thing of the Season.) "Oh, Mr. Rowel, do you mind going back? I dropped my whip at the last fence!"

M.F.H. (to Youth from neighbouring Hunt, who has been making himself very objectionable.) "Now, look here, young man. I go cub-hunting for the purpose of educating my own puppies. As you belong to another pack, I'll thank you to take yourself home!"

Appearance of things in general to a gentleman who has just turned a complete somersault!

* &c., &c., represent sparks of divers beautiful colours.

"Hi!! Hi!! Stop ze chasse! I tomble—I faloff! Stop ze fox!"

Half-awakened un-enthusiastic Sportsman (who wished to go out cub-hunting, but has entirely changed his mind, drowsily addressing rather astonished burglar.) "Awright, old boy. Can't come with you this morning. Too sleepy."

    [Turns round and resumes deep sleep where he left off.]

Sportsman on bank (to Friend in brook.) "Hallo, Thompson, is that you? Why, I thought you had joined the 'No Drinks in between Meals' Party!"

First Sportsman (cantering along easily.) "I say, we shall see you at dinner on the nineteenth, shan't we?"

Second Ditto (whose horse is very fresh, and bolting with him.) "If the beast goes on like this—hanged if you'll ever see me again."

Ex-M.F.H. (eighty-nine and paralytic.) "Fora-a-d! Fora-a-d! Fora-a-a-d!"

Huntsman (making a cast for the line of the fox, near a railway.) "Hold hard, please! Don't ride over the line!"

Would-be Thrusters. "Oh, no, we won't. There's a bridge farther on!"

Squire Oldboy, M.H. (enjoying a long and very slow hunt.) "There she goes! Afraid it's a new hare though."

Bored Sportsman. "How lucky! The other must be getting doosid old."

Huntsman. "Seen the fox, my boy?"

Boy. "No, I ain't!"

Huntsman. "Then, what are you hollarin' for?"

Boy (who has been scaring rooks.) "'Cos I'm paid for it!"

Sixteen-stone Sportsman (who has been nearly put down from a "rotten" landing, to little Bricks, 9st. 2lb.): "Do you mind putting me back in the saddle, sir?"

M.F.H. (to stranger, who is violently gesticulating to hounds.) "When you have done feeding your chickens, sir, perhaps you will allow me to hunt my hounds!"

Nobody was near hounds in the big wood when they pulled down the cub except Mr. Tinkler and his inamorata. He rashly volunteers to secure the brush for her!

"Morning, Tom. What a beastly day!"

"It ain't a day, sir. I call it an interval between two bloomin' nights!"

Sportsman (to Friend whom he has mounted.) "For goodness' sake, old chap, don't let her put you down! She's certain to savage you!"

Huntsman (who has been having a very bad ride.) "Either master wants some new 'orses or a new 'untsman!"

Always see that your bridle reins are sound. There are times when they have a considerable strain on 'em!

Extraordinary position assumed by Mr. Snoodle on the sudden and unexpected refusal of his horse.

Small Child (to Mr. Sparkin, who had come out at an unusually early hour in order to meet his inamorata at the guide-post, and pilot her out cub-hunting.) "I was to tell you she has such a bad cold she couldn't come. But I'm going with you instead, if you promise to take care of me. I'm her cousin, you know!"

Farmer (to Sportsman, returning from the chase.) "Beg pardon, sir, but ain't you the gent that broke down that there gate of mine this morning?"

Mr. Noodel (who never by any chance jumps anything—frightfully pleased.) "Er—did I? Well, how much is the damage?"

Whip (bringing on tail hounds, in the rear of the field.) "Hulloah! Who've you got there?"

Runner (who has just assisted sportsman out of a muddy ditch.) "Dunno. Can't tell till we've washed 'im down a bit!"

Horrible catastrophe which happened to Captain Fussey (our ladies' man) on his arrival at the opening meet. New coat, new boots, new horse, new everything! Hard luck!

Miss Sally (who has just taken off her mackintosh—to ardent admirer.) "Look! they're away! Do just stuff this thing into your pocket. I'm sure I shan't want it again!"

Irate M.F.H. (who has had half an hour in the big gorse trying to get a faint-hearted fox away, galloping to "holloa" on the far side of covert.) "Confound you and your pony, sir! Get out of my way!"

Little Binks, who has been trying to keep out of people's way all day, thinks he can quite understand the feelings of the hunted fox.

Last week our Point to Point steeplechase came off. So did several of the riders: this merely par parenthèse. I offered to mark out the course, and, as I intended to escape the dread ordeal of riding by scratching my horse at the last moment, I thought it would be great fun to choose a very stiff, not to say bloodthirsty, line. Awful grumbling on the part of those unhappy ones who were to ride. Just as the bell rang for saddling, Captain Sproozer, ready dressed for the fray, came up to me with very long face, and said, "Beastly line this, you know, Phunker. I call it much too stiff."

I smiled in pitying and superior manner. "Think so, my dear Sproozer? My horse can't run, worse luck, but I only wish I were going to have the gallop over it."

"So you shall, then!" cried a rasping voice, suddenly, from behind me. Sir Hercules Blizzard was the speaker, an awful man with an awful temper. "So you shall. My idiot of a jockey broke his collar-bone trying to jump one of the fences on this confounded course of yours to-day, so, as I am without a rider, you shall ride my mare Dinah."

Swallowed lump in my throat as I thanked him for his offer, but thought I had better decline, as I didn't know the mare, and besides that, I——

"Oh! all right, I know what you are going to say: that you're not much good on a horse"—(nothing of the sort! I was not going to say any such thing, confound the man!) "Of course, I know all that, and that you're not much of a rider; but I can't help myself now. It's too late to get a decent horseman, so I shall have to make shift with you."

Deuced condescending of him. I made a feeble effort to escape, and would cheerfully have paid a hundred pounds for the chance of doing so. Phil Poundaway, great friend of mine, came up and said (sympathetically, as I thought at first), "I should think you'd prefer to get off it, wouldn't you, Phunker?"

Thought he would volunteer in my place, so was perfectly frank with him. "My dear Phil, I'd give a hundred to get off——"

"Ah! you will, I expect, at the first fence, without paying the money!" he grinned, as he turned away.

Murder was in my heart at that moment. I got on Dinah, and, feeling like death, rode down to the starting-post. Thoughts of a misspent youth, of home and friends and things, came o'er me. I seemed once more to see the little rose-covered porch, the——

"What on earth are you mooning about?" thundered the Blizzardian voice in my ear. "Take hold of her head tighter than that, or you'll be off!"

The next moment the starter yelled "Go!" and away, like a whirlwind, we sped across the first field, towards a huge, thick blackthorn fence, the one I had thought to see such fun with. Fun! I never felt less funny in my life, as we approached it at the rate of two thousand miles an hour! The mare jumped high, but I jumped much higher, and seemed for a brief moment to be soaring through the blue empyrean. Somehow, the mare managed to evade me on the return journey earthwards, and, instead of alighting on the saddle, I found myself "sitting on the floor." A howl—it might have been of sympathy, but it didn't sound quite like that—arose from the crowd, and then I thought that I would go home on foot, instead of returning to explain matters to Sir Hercules. As a matter of fact, I don't much care for associating with old Blizzard, at all events, not just now.

Huntsman (to Whip, sent forward for a view.) "Haven't ye seen him, Tom?"

Whip. "No, sir."

Huntsman. "If he'd been in a pint pot, ye jolly soon would!"

First Hunting Man (having observed the ticket with "K" on it in his friend's hat.) "I didn't know that old gee of yours was a kicker. He looks quiet enough."

Second Hunting Man. "Well, he isn't really. I only wear the "K" to make people give me more room!"

Whip. "Hi, sir! Keep back! The fox may break covert there!"

Foreigner. "Bah! I fear him not—your fox."

Spanner (a great cyclist, whose horse has been startled by man on covert hack.) "Hi! confound you! Why the deuce don't you sound your bell!!"

Scene—Cub-hunting. Time—About one o'clock.

Lady. "Well, Count, what have you lost? Your lunch?"

The Count (who breakfasted some time before six o'clock, a.m..) "No, no! Donner und wetter! I have him, but I have lost my teeth!"

Gent (on mettlesome hireling.) "'Elp! 'Elp! Somebody stop 'im! 'E's going to jump, and I can't!"

Lady (hiding behind bush, to Mr. Spoodle, who has captured her horse). "Oh, thank you so much! But I hope to goodness you have found my skirt as well!"

    [Nice position for Mr. Spoodle, who is very bashful, and has seen nothing of the garment.

'Arry (puffing a "twopenny smoke," to huntsman, making unsuccessful cast.) "Very bad scent."

Huntsman. "Shockin'! Smells like burnin' seaweed!"

"It's all very well for master to say 'Keep close to Miss Vera, Miles'—but I want to know 'oo's going to take Miles to the 'orsepital?"

Lady (having had a fall at a brook, and come out the wrong side,—to stranger who has caught her horse.) "Oh, I'm so much obliged to you! Now, do you mind just bringing him over?"

"Ride her on the snaffle, Tom! Don't ride her on the curb!"

"Hang your curb and snaffle! I've enough to do to ride her on the saddle!"

A Suggestion: No more trouble from wire, damage to fences, etc.

M.F.H. (to misguided enthusiast who has been cheering hounds on a bad scent.) "Now then! Am I going to hunt the hounds or are you?"

Enthusiast (sweetly.) "Just as you please, m'lord, just as you please."

Farmer (just coming up.) "Young gentleman riding your brown horse, my lord, had nasty accident a field or two back. Barbed wire—very ugly cuts!"

My Lord. "Tut—tut—tut! Dear—dear—dear! Not the horse, I hope?"

Mossu (shot into a nice soft loam), exultingly. "A—ha—a! I am safe o-vère! Now it is your turn, Meester Timbre Jompre! Come on, sare!"

Fair Huntress. "What a pity the hounds let that splendid stag get away, Colonel, wasn't it?"

Colonel. "Pity! Ha, if they'd only taken my advice we should have been up with him now, instead of being miles away on the wrong track!"

Distinguished Foreigner (to good Samaritan who has caught his horse.) "Merci bien, monsieur! You save me much trouble. Before, I lose my horse—I lose him altogether, and I must put him in the newspaper!"

Foreign Visitor (an enthusiastic "sportsman," viewing fox attempting to break.) "A-h-h-h! Halte-la! Halte! You shall not escape!"

Lady (having just cannoned Stranger into brook.) "Oh, I'm so sorry I bumped you! Would you mind going in again for my hat?"