The Life of a Great Sportsman 



he was such a manly gentleman. Although he was particular 

 as to his clothes being well cut and being smartly turned out, 

 he could not bear foppishness or effeminacy in any way, and 

 disliked wearing jewellery which would be in any way unduly 

 noticeable. But I thought his great kind-heartedness was his 

 chief charm. He never could refuse anybody if they asked 

 him for help. I knew of scores of cases where he was always 

 helping people, runners with hounds and such-like folk. And 

 many are the postal orders I have sent off to people when they 

 have written to him for help ; truly there are many who will 

 miss him now he is gone. I do not think it possible for any 

 one to be missed more than he was in the Cottesmore Hunt. 



In fact, when I was in Oakham or Melton I was surprised 

 at the number of people of all classes whom he had been a 

 friend to, and all said how much they missed him, he was so 

 cheery. 



One gentleman in particular of the Cottesmore Hunt, Mr. 

 Greville Clayton, told me that no matter how black things 

 were looking, his troubles always seemed lighter and less 

 gloomy after an hour's ride and talk with Mr. R. He seemed 

 to have the happy knack of communicating his cheery spirits 

 to others, and to me in my own troubles he was such a friend, 

 and always gave me such sound advice and help. When he 

 returned from a day's hunting, no matter how tired he might 

 be, he always had something pleasant to say, which made it 

 such a pleasure to serve him, and during his illness he was 

 so unselfish, considering others even then. I did not think he 

 was so ill as he must have been, as he was so cheery up to 

 the time he went to London. I miss him more than I can 

 say and feel sure I shall never see his like again ; in fact, he 

 was my ideal of an English country gentleman. 



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