86 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



daintily, step by step, down the declivity, like a cat. 

 There was a large field out, but though Leicestershire 

 then, as now, had no lack of bold and jealous riders, 

 who could use heads, hands, and beyond all, their heels, 

 nobody followed him, and I think the attempt was 

 better left alone. 



Another clergyman of our own day, whose name I 

 forbear mentioning, because I think he would dislike 

 it for professional reasons, has the finest bridle-hand of 

 any one I know. " You good man," I once heard a 

 foreigner observe to this gentleman, in allusion to his 

 bold style of riding ; " it no matter if you break your 

 neck!" And although I cannot look on the loss of 

 such valuable lives from the same point of view as this 

 Continental moralist, I may be permitted to regret the 

 present scarcity of clergymen in the hunting-field. It 

 redounds greatly to their credit, for we know how many 

 of them deny themselves a harmless pleasure rather 

 than offend " the weaker brethren," but what a dog in 

 the manger must the weaker brother be ! 



I have never heard that these " hunting parsons*" as 

 they are called, neglect the smallest detail of duty to 

 indulge in their favourite sport, but when they do come 

 out you may be sure to see them in the front rank. 

 Can it be that the weaker brother is jealous of his 



