HUNTERS. 291 



enced fportfmen in the back ground of 

 the pidure with mortification and dif- 

 grace. 



It fhouid be indelible in the mind of 

 eyery juvenile and recent fportfman, that to 

 bring a horfe into the field out of condition^ 

 incurs inftantaneous fufpicion, if not con- 

 tempt ; the curiofity (not to fay infulting in- 

 difference) of every fped:ator is excited, who 

 -fortunately excels in the figure or quahfica- 

 tions of his fteed, and the fuperiority of his 

 equipments. And this is not at all to be 

 wondered at, when thofe entirely unac- 

 quainted with the fadt are informed, that 

 as much emulation is perceptible in the dif^ 

 play of a /porting apparatus, as in the exult- 

 ing fplendor of a birth-day appearance in 

 the vicinity of St. James's : not only the 

 Ridepn^s, but their Horses, are fraught 

 with the infeclious fpirit of rivalfhip ; and 

 impatiently wait the moment, that infpires 

 ^ach with the vigour of general conten- 

 tion. 



Horfes impeffed: in their appearance, with 

 fulnefs of the legs, foulnefs in the coat, cracks 



U a in 



