DICK ROOK. 18? 



found him surrounded by some sporting acquain- 

 tances, who, like myself, had come either to shoot, 

 or to enjoy the pleasure of a visit to the country. 

 An English gentleman should always be seen at his 

 seat in the country ; there we meet with unaffected 

 hospitality, good society, good living, good shoot- 

 ing, and many agremens which are peculiar to such 

 a place. If I wanted to make a foreigner acquaint- 

 ed with the character of an Englishman, he should 

 spend his Christmas in the country, and partake 

 of the hospitalities of a country-house. 



After a good dinner, and a night's rest, I 

 strolled the next morning into the stable-yard; 

 on entering it, I observed a man surrounded with 

 pointers and setters, listlessly employing himself 

 in twirling the end of a hazel switch among the 

 pebbles, and apparently lost in his own thoughts. 

 On approaching him he looked up, and to 

 my great surprize, I discovered that the indi- 

 vidual in question was no other than my old ac- 

 quaintance, Dick Rook, somewhat improved in his 

 outward appearance. Our greeting was cordial on 

 both sides ; but I could not help expressing my 

 wonder at finding him in his present situation. 

 My curiosity was soon satisfied ; Dick's erratic 

 propensities had not forsaken him ; and on one of 

 his excursions to attend a distant battue, he had 

 fallen in with my host. Something about Dick 

 struck his fancy, and on hearing a part of his little 



