THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



' Why, you know, uncle, coaching can be enjoyed for six 

 months in the year, in wliich tliere is no hunting ; and I should 

 like never to be quite idle, if I could help it. I think lounging 

 away one's time, at a watering-place, in the summer, must be 

 poor fun for a young man ; besides, the having a team of one's 

 own affords opportunities of dispensing much pleasure amongst 

 our friends and acquaintances.' 



' And what think you of racing, now you have seen it in 

 perfection ? ' asked the uncle, with some expression of anxiety 

 on his countenance. 



' I like racing much,' replied Frank ; ' as Mr. Egerton says, 

 " it is a stimulus, acting on the generous ambition of men and 

 horses, and, as regards the latter, most serviceable to the 

 country ; but only a tit pursuit for persons of large means " ; 

 consequently^ it will be out of my power to indulge mj^self in it. 

 As an object of gain, I think very lightly of it ; I have been 

 told there is no instance on record of a fjcntleman getting 

 money by it, on the long-run ; and we have one instance to the 

 contrary, at this time, at Cliristcliurch ; at least, there is a very 

 good fellow, by the name of Fairfax, who says he shall be 

 £100,000 a worse man for his father having been all his life on 

 the turf.' 



Mr. Raby looked serious at the conclusion of these remarks ; 

 but there was something in the expression of his features which 

 implied dissatisfaction, if not disgust, at the idea of a young 

 man, who had gone through Eton school, laying his account 

 in driving four horses on a turnpike road — in which the most 

 ignorant fellow in the country might excel him — as a means 

 of employment in after life ; or, to use his nephew's words, 

 to prevent his lounging away his time in idleness, at some 

 watering-place, in the summer. He remained silent, however, 

 perhaps from the recollection of the little use he himself had 

 made of a hrst-rate education, and of first-rate talents as 

 well. 



The arrival of the postman with some letters put an end 

 to the conversation. One of them was from Mr. Raby to his 

 brother, who read the following extract from it to his nephew : 

 — ' Frank has informed me of the pleasant manner in which 

 he lias passed his time in London, Ascot, etc. ; and likewise of 

 the high treat you afforded him, by asking those Leicestershire 

 sportsmen to meet him at dinner. As for Ascot, the less 



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