Grouse Shooting in Ireland 109 



clatter and fuss ; he was a very dark and 

 ancient gentleman, and paid the penalty of, 

 for once in his life, having been caught 

 napping. Our invigorating exercise had 

 induced a splendid appetite and a most 

 excellent thirst. A keen sporting old friend 

 of mine used to say that he ate to shoot. 

 I cannot endorse his sentiments, and must 



confess to more epicurean tastes. B 



also was a degenerate disciple of the 

 pleasant old philosopher, and between us 

 a goodly store of viands imparted their 

 cheerfulness. 



I really must ask permission to say a few 

 words about our game-carrier and kennel- 

 man, for if ever a man could flatter in a 

 shameless and flagrant manner that was the 

 man. He seemed to think it his duty to 

 lay it on thick, and that we were like a 

 certain sportsman of fiction, whom we all 

 venerate, and who said : " I can stand a 



