Women in the Hunting Field

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 21, 24 November 1906, Page 49

Women in the Hunting Field

THERE are many women in New Zealand who are prominent followers to hounds, but at Home they are mueh keener, and, in fact, several well-known women have charge of packs. “Certainly hunt-

ing is the one sport in which women can absolutely hold their own with men.” So wrote Lady Augusta Fane, and on every hand in almost every country one sees evidence of the truism of this statement. Not only are women, as a rule, better riders than men —because of the fact that they obtain much more practice in their youth, when their brothers are away at school —but in some countries they are outnumbering the sterner sex on show days—or, as they have come to be called, “lawn meets.” The real fact of the matter is that hunting is becoming a popular and fashionable pastime for ladies, and each season sees this fact more and more evidenced. It is not remarkable, therefore, that some of the sex feminine should have an ambition to become masters of hounds. It is often said that women do not fully grasp the fact “that hunting’s a science and riding’s an art,” and instead of taking an intelligent interest in the chase — in the work of hounds, and in the why and wherefore of things—turn the hunting field into a sort of open-air club and social gathering. It is undoubtedly this, but it is a great deal more, and this should only be a contributory pleasure, not the raison d’etre. This charge is not alone applicable to the fair sex. Many of them know quite as well when hounds are running, quite as well when thev have checked, and where the hunts-

man is most likely to cast, equally well when scent is good or bad—in a word, are as well posted in the science of the chase and the etiquette of the field as their husbands and brothers. With this preamble, I may mention an addition to

the list of ladies who have become masters of hounds (writes a correspondent in a Home magazine). The latest debutante is Mrs. Burrell, of Carham Hall, Northumberland, the youngest daughter

of the late Mr. Charles Perkins, who was so famed in the racing world and was well known in the north as a keen follower of “the sports of all sport.” Mrs. Burrell, as was her father, is a keen allround sportswoman, and not only is her

name connected with some of the best runs in recent years in Northumberland, but she is also known as a lady who has , taken more than ordinary interest in r hounds, in hunting, and the study of the

mysteries appertaining thereto. She is not alone in this arduous post of honour, though most of the members of her sex who have become officially connected with hounds have devoted their attention to harriers. Peculiarly enough, Northumberland has provided another lady masters of hounds in the person of Lady Gifford. whose harriers now take the place of the Duke of Richmond’s Goodwood Harriers. Lady Gifford hunts twice a week around Chichester, carrying the horn herself, but having a whipper-in and kennel huntsman, who acts as whip. Lady Gifford has a clergyman as secretary of her hunt, which was formed at Hesleyside, Bellingham, where for three seasons they showed some excellent sport. Then. too. near Carlisle, Miss Janie Parkin has at Blaithwaite a pack of harriers which have shown some wonderful sport. These she occasionally hunts herself, her kennel huntsman (Davison Bell) officiating at other times. The pack consists of 11 couple of 14in pure beagles, and the country is especially interesting, insomuch as part of it, if not the whole, was regularly hunted by the famous John Peel. The Marchioness of Graham (daughter of the late Duke of Hamilton) is another master of hounds, and there is little wonder she is so keen a sportswoman: indeed, most of those who have distinguished themselves with hounds have a hereditary love of the chase and sport generally. Yet another feminine master of harriers is Miss Kate Rose-deland, who is at the head of affairs of the Rathgall pack, and was a short time ago presented with

six couples of 19in pure-bred harriers by local friends in recognition of the sport she and her sister have shown. This pack was started in 1868 by Mr. Richard Rose-Cleland, who hunted them for six seasons. The Duchess of Newcastle herself hunts the Clumber harriers, which are her own property. Her Grace has 18 couples. Her pack was formed in 1895.

Always Well Dressed.

Beauty is said to carry a letter of recommendation in itself, and, indeed, the influence the eye has on the mind cannot be denied.

Now it is not in our power to bestow this good gift on ourselves, though we can by the cultivation of good temper and intelligence win a charm of countenance even superior to it. But we can soften many defects, improve an ordinary appearance, and add a grace to beauty itself by the aid of dress, and, as to please is one of the minor morals of life, which it is our duty not to neglect, we should endeavour to understand what good dress is, and to practise what we have learnt with regard to it. Do not imagine that to be expensively or extravagantly dressed is to be well

dressed. Simplicity is always rnegant, and good taste can lend -a grace to dress which no outlay of money on its materials can purchase. A lady’s hair should be always well arranged in the style she chooses, which, I must add. had better be one of those sanctioned by the fashion of the day. The teeth and h-ands should be attended to carefully. A white, sort hand may be gained without marring its usefulness. Old gloves should be worn when employed in any occupation likely to stain the hands, to roughen or redden them, and they should be well dried after wasning them. With regard to dress itself, the first things a lady ought to think about are her gloves and shoes, for soiled or ripped gloves or shabby shoes will destroy the effect of the most elegant gown ever worn. The gloves should in a degree match, or at least harmonise with, the dress: and if a voung lady's allowance does not permit her to have a large stock of different colours, she will do well to select those soft neutral tints which -will suit any dress. Her boots should be welt made, and always thick enough to keep the feet warm and dry. Stout people should not wear light colours for their dress, and extreme simplicity as to trimmings is most beconting for them. Delicate and fragile people should wear light colours and transparent textures. Never wear false jewellery; it is bet-

ter to be quite without ornament than to wear the trash many young ladies of the present day delight in. A lady's taste is shown as much by her ornaments as by the combination of colour in her dress. Avoid violent contrasts of colour. Black is of great service in toning down and harmonising brilliant hues. Care more for the nice fitting of your dress than for its material. An ill-maJc silk is not equal in its -appearance to the plainest material well made.

The Storing of Furs.

The time has arrived for putting by our furs, and this should be accomplished before the ever-aetive moth has been hatched cut ready for its depredations on our most cherished possessions.

It is by far the wisest plan not to attempt to store costly or delicate furs at home, but to send them to a furrier’s, where they will have every possible attention and careful supervision. The hardier kinds of p- lt may. «.<> e*-- • be cared for successfully bv the amateur.

The first thing to be done is to shake each article thoroughly to free it from dust, and then to hang it out in the air exposed to the action of the sun and wind. A cane carpet-beater is an excellent “dust-extractor,” and the fur may be well beaten with thia. If any scraps of fur fly out during the pro-

cess it is likely that moth's eggs are present, and these should be searched for most carefullv.

The next step is to store the furs away. Some people prefer linen, and others paper in which to wrap their peltry. Whichever of these is used, the fur should be wrapped up securely so that the package is as air-tight as possible. One of the best preservatives against moth is naphthalene, which may be had at any chemist’s. Lumps of this should be placed inside the wrapper. The furs are then put away in the place appointed for them, either in a cedar-lined fur box or in a drawer or box containing some preservative such as tar paper, naphthalene, or insect powder. Camphor is not advisable, especially in the case of chinchilla or other delicate furs, as it is liable to bleach them.

Fur coats and capes and other heavy garments should not be folded, however. They will keep a better shape if hung up on the ordinary wooden coathanger. To protect them from the ravages of moth, and to keep them free from dust, it is a good plan to make brown holland bags in which to slip the coat or cape without doubling it over. A draw-string should be run through the neek of the bag. and extra -ecurity given by tying a tape tightly round the bag near the top. A damp wardrobe or cupboard, or even one against an outside wall, should be specially avoided, as damp means destruction to furs.