THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



the exception of not losing sight of cleanhness, and what is 

 called neatness in their dress and appointments. In fact, 

 their appearance was gentlemanlike and sportsmanlike at the 

 same time — not an every-day combination at that period ; and 

 before the end of the second term they were pointed at, when 

 together in the streets, as the two best horsemen in the 

 University. Hargrave's stud consisted but of two thoroughly 

 accomplished hunters ; and, like Frank Raby, he had them, 

 under his own lock and key, in one of the quietest lanes in 

 the town. Moreover, his judgment was considered so good in 

 everything relating to hunting, as well as in the management 

 of his horses, that he was generally appealed to as an 

 authority on all disputed points amongst the Nimrods of the 

 University — at all events, amongst those with whom he was 

 in any way associated. 



And how happened it that Hargrave, the son of a London 

 merchant, should have become so accomplished in field sports 

 — for he was an excellent shot, as well as initiated to the 

 noble science of the chase ? The question is easily replied to. 

 His father, who was himself a sportsman, had a seat and 

 estate in Essex, and had entered him when young to hounds, 

 and to those of one of the best and most zealous sportsmen 

 of his own or any other days — the renowned Mr. Charles 

 Newman. Again, the country hunted by him was one likely 

 to make a man both a sportsman and a horseman, being full, 

 of large covers, very strongly fenced, and noted for the stout- 

 ness of its foxes. At an early age, however, few went better 

 over it than young Hargrave did, on a small thorough-bred 

 horse, which went by the name of The Plienomenon; and he 

 was looked upon in the neighbourhood as likely to shine, at 

 some future period, in a better country than Essex, although 

 famous for the stoutness of its foxes. 



From what has been said of Hargrave, it is scarcely neces- 

 sary to state that he was acquainted with all the sporting 

 characters, noble and ignoble, Oxford then could boast of, and 

 that, by virtue of his seniority in the Universit}^ he had the 

 honour of introducing them to Frank Raby. Amongst these 

 was a very celebrated character whose name was Will Stuart^ 

 and of wliom a short notice must be taken. He was, in the 

 first place, one of the handsomest fellows in the country ; of 

 robust form withal ; and declared l)y himself, and very gene- 



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