THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 229 



Russell's part ; but, alas ! on the very first day 

 that Mr. Houlditch appeared in his official 

 capacity, Russell discovered, by the most un- 

 mistakable signs, that his knowledge of the 

 " noble science " was simply that of the veriest 

 tyro, and that in reality he knew just as much 

 as Billy Button, or a Tooley Street tailor, might 

 be supposed to know about such matters. Still 

 Mr. Houlditch, in spite of all difficulties, perse- 

 vered, paying the closest attention to the lessons 

 — nay, it may be said, the lectures — which his 

 chief so frequently bestowed on him, not in the 

 field, but on returning from their day's work. 

 Many a time was it said to Russell, "Do what you 

 will, you'll never make a sportsman of Houlditch ; 

 he hasn't it in him, and is too old to learn." 



But so long as the pupil was anxious to 

 improve, so long did his master do his utmost 

 to instruct and encourage him in the sylvan 

 duties he had undertaken to perform, till at 

 length, after a season or two of continuous drill, 

 the perseverance of both was crowned with 

 complete success ; and it must have been as 

 gratifying for Russell to say as for the other to 

 hear, that " Houlditch understood his work as 

 well as most men, and had become a most useful 

 and obliging whip." He served in that capacity 

 for six consecutive years, and when he left 

 created a blank which Russell was never able 

 in like fashion to till again. 



