THE LIFE OF A SPORTSIMAN 



point. In the space of thirteen .ninntes, as fast as foot could 

 fall, we turned him up in the open, as your son luank can 



'''tere Mr. Raby looked at his son, evidently with feelings of 

 satisfaction, but deemed it prudent not to hazard a word ; and 

 Sir John proceeded with his remarks. 



< Then look at Mr. Warde himself. Puttn.o- the sportsman 

 out of the question, what a true specimen he is of the old 

 En^dish o-entleu.an. How amusing is his conversation low 

 playful Ins wit; how manly his exterior; and yet, 1-w 1-^^^-^ 

 are his manners when in contact with polished society! How 

 ^fortunate it is that he is so heavy, for horses can scaixe^ 

 be found to carry him well up to his hounds, over this veiy 



"^""^^WarH^nry Warde out to-day ? ' inquired Mr. Raby. 



' He was ' replied Sir John ; ' he rode his famous horse. Star, 

 for which, although a roarer, he has refused the immense price 

 of GOO guineas. It is the only instance, I believe on record, 

 of a horse, with that defect, being esteemed so valuable as a 



"conclude,' continued Mr. Raby, ' that you often visit the 



head-quarters of Mr. Warde's hunt ? ' • . f . • hni 



^ Why ' answered Sir John, ' they lie rather wide of me but 



I am occasionally induced to do so ^/^'/^rfs "w is 

 xneet with. Then, again, wherever John Warde ^^^ there i 

 sure to be mirth and fun, and the living is ^^T good at the 

 club Indeed, he told me this morning, in his usual_ droll style, 

 that " everything there was very good but the reelcoinng 



'Ahi ah!' observed Mr. Raby, 'that is John Warde to 

 a T- there is a gaiety of heart and lightness of spirit about 

 him' which I have never found to the same extent m any 

 other man; and it adds much to his popularity that he has 

 a joke ready at hand for every one. But it is no the reckon^ 

 iii at a hunting-club that can hurt either Warde or you. I 

 do°not know a better manager than he is ; and as for yourseli, 

 Inkleton if you steer clear of that accursed vice, gambling 

 you hav^ enough for your enjoyment of all the fun this wor d 

 can aftbrd you. Neither your hunting, nor your coaching noi 

 your housekeephig, good as it is, can hurt you. You will, 1 

 am sure, pardon this remark from a man much oldei than 

 yourself and one who entertains for you a sincere regard, not 

 ^ 87 



