16 Ikings ot tbc Ibuntino-ifielO 



Beckford, as I have said, was, like Wolsey, ' a scholar, 

 and a ripe and good one,' and I can conceive him 

 chuckling consumedly as he made a note of this wonder- 

 ful example of classic quotation by a typical, uneducated, 

 fox-hunting country squire, in the course of a speech in 

 the House of Commons : — 



' Is there any man in this House,' quoth this delicious 

 orator, ' or in this country, who is not ready to bare his 

 breast to the bayonet of an invader, or, in time of 

 civil commotion, to lay his d/oc^ upon the Jiead' (a 

 laugh) ' I say, sir, to lay his head upon the block, pro 

 arts et focis — FOR OUR Hares AND Foxes?' 



With which glorious specimen of free translation I 

 take my leave of Peter Beckford and his Thoughts 

 upon Huntifig. 



