THE PROVINCES. 23 1 



There, on the other hand, an inferior horseman, bold 

 enough to place implicit confidence in the first-class 

 hunter he rides, may see a run, from end to end, with 

 considerable credit and enjoyment, by the simple process 

 of keeping a good hold of his bridle, while he leaves 

 everything to the horse. But he must not have learned 

 a single letter of the noble word " Funk. " Directly his 

 heart fails, and he interferes, down they both come, an 

 imperial cr owner, and the game is lost ! 



Many of our provincial districts are also calculated, 

 from their very nature, to turn out experienced 

 sportsmen no less than accomplished riders. In large 

 woods, amongst secluded hills, or wild tracts of moor 

 intersected by impracticable ravines, a lover of the 

 chase is compelled by force of circumstances to depend 

 on his own eyes> ears, and general intelligence for his 

 amusement. 



He finds no yoiing Rapid to pilot him over the large 

 places, if he means going ; no crafty band of second- 

 horsemen to guide him in safety to the finish, if his 

 ambition is satisfied with a distant and occasional view 

 of the stirring pageant ; no convenient hand-gate 

 in *the corner, no friendly bridge across the stream ; 

 above all, no hurrying cavalcade drawn out for miles, 

 amongst which to hide, and with whom pleasantly 



