CHAPTER VIII. 



DISCRETION. 



IT has been called the better part of valour, and doubt- 

 less, when wanting, the latter is as likely to sustain 

 irretrievable reverses as a ship without a rudder, or a 

 horse without a bridle. The two should always travel 

 together ; but it appears to me that we meet the cautious 

 brother most frequently on our journey through life. 



In the chase, however, they seem to share their 

 presence impartially enough. Valour is very much to 

 the front at the covert side, and shows again with great 

 certainty after dinner ; but discretion becomes paramount 

 and almost ubiquitous when the hounds run, being called 

 on indeed to act for us in every field. Sometimes, 

 particularly when countries are blind early in November, 

 we abandon ourselves so entirely to its guidance as 

 little by little to lose all our self-reliance, till at last we 



