THE "CHAMPION. 



53 



when out shooting, the trigger of his gun was caught by a 

 twig, and he had the misfortune to lose his right arm ; 

 which accident happening on the day he received a 

 commission in the army, direct from the (then) Duke of 

 York, at once put an end to all prospect of a military 

 career. He was therefore compelled to content himself 

 with the ordinary avocations of a country gentleman, 

 hunting and shooting being his chief pursuits. All are 

 agreed that it takes plenty of pluck and nerve for the 

 ordinary man to ride straight across Leicestershire, and 

 most men find quite enough to do for both hands in 

 controlling and guiding their mounts at the pace the flyers 

 set when the scent is good. These qualities must surely 

 have been super-abundant in Mr. Braithwaite, who, it can 

 be imagined, was at the greatest disadvantage in possessing 

 only one arm, either to steady his steed, or if need be, save 

 his head when the inevitable " cropper " came — as come it 

 must ! Nevertheless " The Champion," riding with judg- 

 ment and discretion, was never known to shirk from a 

 thought of possible consequences. In fact he was never so 

 happy as when " schooling " a young horse, and often rode 

 in the jumping contests at Islington and in local Agricultural 

 Shovv^s, when he proved a formidable competitor. I will not 

 attempt to enumerate a list of his accomplishments, but 

 may add that he was a very good shot, using a gun, the 

 stock of which was specially made to fit the left shoulder ; 

 he generally succeeded in singling out and bringing down 

 his birds right and left ; he played a good game at tennis, 

 wrote legibly with the left hand, and with the aid of a knife 

 screwed into an artificial hand could cleverly dissect any 

 poultry or game that came to the table. He had the same 

 preference for a scarlet coat which exhibited distinct signs 

 of wear and weather, as distinguished counsel profess for 

 their frayed and well-worn robes ; and when for a few 

 seasons scarlet became, as he considered, unduly "en 

 evidence," he adopted a black coat. Mr. Braithwaite 

 possessed a kind and humorous disposition, being very fond 

 of a joke, and being of a witty turn of mind. For instance. 



