80 EEMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



quoting a passage from the " Quarterly Review " on 

 « English Field Sports : " 



"We wish all hearty English Lords and Squires a 

 good bag, and, if possible, a hard day's exercise in 

 filling it." 



' See how with emulated zeal they shive, 

 Thread the loose sedge, and tlirough the thicket drive ! 

 No babbling voice the bosom falsely warms, 

 Or swells the panting heart -with vain alarms. 

 Tin all at once their choral tongues proclaim 

 The secret refuge of the lurking game. 

 Swift is their course, no lengthen' d warnings now 

 Space to eoUeet the scatter d thoughts allow, 

 No weary pointer shows the cautious eyes 

 Where from his russet couch the bird shall rise. 

 Perhaps, light running o'er the mossy ground. 

 His devious steps your sanguine hopes confoimd ; 

 Or by the tangled branches hid from sight, 

 Sudden he tries his imexpected flight. 

 Soon as the ready dogs their quarry spring, 

 And swiftly spreads his variegated wing, 

 Ceas'd is their cry, with silent look they wait 

 Till the loud gun decides the event of fate ; 

 Nor, if the shots are thrown with erring aim. 

 And proudly soars away the unwounded game, 

 Will the staunch train pursue him as he flies 

 With useless speed, and unavailing cries. 

 No open view along the uncumbered field 

 To the cool aim wiU time and distance yield ; 

 But the nice circumstance will oft demand 

 The quickest eyesight and the readiest hand. 

 Swift as he rises from the thorny brake. 

 With instant glance the fleeting mark to take, 

 And with prompt aim the transient moment seize, 

 'Mid the dim gloom of intervening trees, 

 His gaudy plumage when the male displays 

 In bright luxuriance to the solar rays, 

 Arrest witli hasty shot his wizzing speed 

 And see unblam'd the shining victim bleed ; 



