MR JOKROCKS 



elapsed ere our worthy friend could compose 

 himself sufficiently to look again at the letter. At 

 last he resumed : 



'When we consider, sir,' it continued, 'the brilliant 

 position you have long achieved in that most illustrious of 

 all hunts, " the Surrey," and the glorious character you have 

 gained as an ardent admirer of field sports, we feel most 

 deeply and sincerely sensible that there is no one to whom 

 we can more safely confide this important trust than 

 yourself.' 



' Capital ! bravo ! werry good indeed ! ' ex- 

 claimed Mr. Jorrocks, laying down the letter again 

 for the purpose of digesting what he had read. 

 ' Capital, indeed,' he repeated, nursing one leg 

 over the other, and casting his eyes up at a dirty 

 fly-catcher dangling over his head. Thus he sat 

 for some moments in mute abstraction. At length 

 he let down his leg and took up the letter. 



' In conclusion, sir/ it ended, ' we beg to assure you that 

 you possess alike the confidence and esteem of the inhabitants 

 of this town and neighbourhood ; and in the event of your 

 acceding to our wishes, and becoming the manager of our 

 magnificent hunt, we pledge ourselves to afford you our most 



11 



