There are three modes in which a hunting parson may dress himself
for hunting, the variations having reference solely to the
nether man. As regards the upper man there can never be a
difference. A chimney-pot hat, a white neckerchief, somewhat
broad in its folds and strong with plentiful starch, a stout
black coat, cut rather shorter than is common with clergymen, and
a modest, darksome waistcoat that shall attract no
attention, these are all matters of course. But the observer, if
he will allow his eye to descend below these upper garments, will
perceive that the clergyman may be comfortable and bold in
breeches, or he may be uncomfortable and semi-decorous in black
trowsers. And there is another mode of dress open to him, which I
can assure my readers is not an unknown costume, a tertium quid,
by which semi-decorum and comfort are combined. The hunting
breeches are put on first, and the black trowsers are drawn over
them.
But in whatever garb the hunting parson may ride, he almost
invariably rides well, and always enjoys the sport. If he did
not, what would tempt him to run counter, as he does, to his
bishop and the old ladies ? And though, when the hounds are first
dashing out of covert, and when the sputtering is beginning and
the eager impetuosity of the young is driving men three at a time
into the same gap, when that wild excitement of a fox just away
is at its height, and ordinary sportsmen are rushing for
places, though at these moments the hunting parson may be able
to restrain himself, and to declare by his momentary tranquillity
that he is only there to see the hounds, he will ever be found,
seeing the hounds also, when many of that eager crowd have lagged
behind, altogether out of sight of the last tail of them.
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