HAVING read of the "success" of the first "meet" of the season. I wondered if they still performed a certain barbaric tradition.

When I was nanny to a country family years ago, my youngest "charge" was taken to a meet. On their return my small charge was covered from head to foot in blood. Apparently, as the youngest follower, he had the "honour" of being "bloodied".

The huntsman cut the brush off the poor animal and while it was still warm daubed the child with it. Need I say more?

LILIAN PITMAN,

Rushwick, Worcester.