Hounds and horses having been bought, we must now proceed to man the ship.
To begin with—The Master.
Let us suppose an M. F. H., who has been properly taught the trade (for it is impossible for anybody, be he never so rich, to satisfactorily perform the duties of this important position, unless he has been thoroughly grounded in the rudiments).
Such an one is always courteous and kindly to those with whom he is brought in contact, be they connected with the agricultural interest, or members of his field. There is a vast deal of human nature in people, and a little civility goes a long way.
An ill-mannered master is a curse to any country, and a mere "Field-Damner" is a creature unfit to live.
Few know the troubles of keeping a country, and the cordial co-operation of the master in this work is of vital importance.
Our supposititious M. F. H., however, thoroughly appreciates this obligation, and, bearing this in mind, he will select for his huntsman a respectable, well-mannered servant. Nothing farmers and keepers detest so much as an ill-conditioned, uncivil man.
The first necessity in a huntsman is, that he should be a man whom hounds are fond of, and who is fond of them. He should be in constant companionship with his hounds, taking the greatest care in keeping them off their benches as much as possible. The neglect of this somewhat troublesome duty in many kennels results in lameness.
He must be an early man in the morning, as hounds ought to be finished feeding by eight o'clock the day before hunting.
He should carefully watch the constitution of each hound, and feed it accordingly.