26 The Chase 



the rocks, I did think once or twice of my neck. 

 As to the cruelty, as some pretend, of this sport, 

 that point I have, I think, settled in one of the 

 chapters of my Tear^s Residence in America. As to 

 the expense, a pack, even a full pack of harriers like 

 this, cost less than two bottles of wine a day with 

 their inseparable concomitants. And, as to the 

 time thus spent, hunting is inseparable from early 

 rising ; and, with habits of early rising, who ever 

 wanted time for any business ? 



William Cobbett. 



The Childless Father 



"C^ '>0 ^c^ 



" T TP, Timothy, up with your staff and away ! 

 X^ Not a soul in the village this morning will 

 stay ; 

 The hare has just started from Hamilton's grounds, 

 And Skiddaw is glad with the cry of the hounds." 



Of coats and of jackets grey, scarlet, and green, 

 On the slopes of the pastures all colours were seen ; 

 With their comely blue aprons, and caps white as 



snow. 

 The girls on the hills made a holiday show. 



Fresh sprigs of green box-wood, not six months 



before. 

 Filled the funeral basin at Timothy's door ; 

 A coffin through Timothy's threshold had past ; 

 One child did it bear, and that child was his last. 



Now fast up the dell came the noise and the fray. 

 The horse and the horn, and the hark ! hark away 

 Old Timothy took up his staff, and he shut 

 With a leisurely motion the door of his hut. 



