132 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



d d fellow on the coffee-coloured pony gets here before 

 me after all ! " 



There are times, no doubt, when valour must needs 

 yield the palm to discretion. 



Let us see how this last respectable quality serves us 

 at the other and nobler extremity of the hunt, for it is 

 there, after all, that our ambition points, and our wishes 

 chiefly tend. 



" Are you a hard rider ? " asked an inquiring lady of 

 Mr. Jorrocks. 



"The hardest in England," answered that facetious 

 worthy, adding to himself, " I may say that, for I never 

 goes off the 'ard road if I can help it." 



Now instead of following so cautious an example, let 

 us rather cast overboard a superfluity of discretion, that 

 would debar us the post of honour we are fain to occupy, 

 retaining only such a leavening of its virtue as will steer 

 us safely between the two extremes. While the hounds 

 are racing before us, with a good scent, in an open 

 country, let our gallant hunter be freely urged by valour 

 to the front, while at the same time, discretion holds him 

 hard by the head, lest a too inconsiderate daring should 

 endanger his rider's neck. 



If a man has the luck to be on a good timber-jumper, 

 now is the time to take advantage freely of its con- 



