THE MORAL, AND A PLEA FOR IT 61 



achievements were not great, or I should probably have 

 seen or heard something of them. 



In this chapter I have described but a few of the many 

 doughty acts in which the renowned Danebury con- 

 federacy played so conspicuous and unenviable a part. 

 I do not for a moment profess to vouch for the accuracy 

 of every statement. Yet so far as I can judge, the facts 

 set forth may be relied upon as being substantially correct. 

 Many of them are given from my own personal knowledge, 

 and in so far are literally correct, as I have endeavoured 

 to set them forth with candour, and without partiality, 

 to the best of my recollection. If in their narration I 

 have felt bound to express myself freely, it is, I must 

 trust to the reader to believe, rather from a conviction 

 that deeds of the kind exercise a most baneful influence 

 on our national sport, than from any desire to be arbi- 

 trarily critical. My motive, and the risk I run in carry- 

 ing it out, have before been expressed in better words 

 than any I can pretend to give : 



( E'en I must raise my voice, e'en I must feel 

 Such scenes, such men, destroy the public weal ; 

 Although some kind, censorious friend will say, 

 " What art thou better, meddling fool, than they ?" 

 And every brother rake will smile to see 

 That miracle, a moralist, in me.' 



CHAPTER V. 



LOED GEOEGE BENTINC. 



My knowledge of his lordship Purchase of Say Middleton Lameness 

 pured by my brother Failure at the stud A Yorkshire view of him 

 ^-His produce Lease of Venison, and attempt to get him back 

 fot a lucky breeder Early races and successes Performances of 



