Gentlemen's Habits. 51 



the almost only national sport in which they can partake 

 with us on nearly equal terms. In spite of the " Gentleman 

 in Black," why may not the true fox-hunting lady (I wish 

 there were more of them who could honestly and sincerely 

 lay claim to the title) say equally with her gentlemen 

 friends, in the words of dear old Bromley Davenport, 



Oh. glory of youth ! consolation of age ! 



Suljlimest of ecstasies under the sun ! 

 Though the veteran may linger too long on the stage, 



Yet she'll drink a last toast to a foxhunting run. 



FOUETEEXTH WEEK, Januaky 25th to the 30th, 



The only means that I can devise for getting back into 

 the good graces of the ladies, after quoting last week the 

 criticisms o: *' The Gentleman in black " on '' Ladies 

 habits," is to go a step further, and give the gentlemen a, 

 turn of the same screw. This will show an impartiality 

 on Borderer's part, which must commend itself to all fair 

 dealing persons, irrespective of sex, age or prejudice. 

 The following little episode I quote from as great an 

 authority as the gentleman in black — it was written 

 exactly at the same time, twenty-five years ago, by an 

 eminent sportsman : — "And now we come to the field — a 

 large heterogenous body of horsemen congregated at some 

 fashionable meet, rather with the object of killing time 

 than of seeing a fox killed — sporting men — not sports- 

 men — who know no more of the noble science than they 

 do of the Japanese language, and don't care a straw 

 about the w'orking of the hounds. All they care about 

 or w^ant is a gallop. The fact is that the great majority 

 of the present generation lack the earnestness of their 

 sires in all the business of life, save money-making or 

 spending it. 



* 'They go out foxhunting, because ut is the fashion, 

 but are neither earnest in their love of the chase, or the 

 love of women, reminding one of the lines: — 

 "What say our modern gentlemen : 



Do Cupid's darts with poison fills us .' 

 Oh ! no ! They tickle now and then ; 



But hang me I if they ever kill us. 



D2 



