THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



custom for the public dinners, or ' ordinaries,' as they are 

 termed, at race meetings, to be attended by the gentlemen of 

 rank and wealth in the neighbourhood, as well as, occasionally, 

 by a few whose situation in life, although respectable, did 

 not allow of their being in such good company on any other 

 occasion. Amongst the latter class was a wealthy young yeo- 

 man, fond of racing and hunting almost to insanity, but who, 

 from his appearance and manners, would, in these days, be 

 placed at the head of all the snobs. There was, also, in the 

 room, a gentleman in whom he greatly delighted, inasmuch 

 as he was an owner of harriers and race-horses, and, by his 

 extreme good-nature and affability, a highly popular character 

 with the order of which his admirer made one. It chanced 

 that they sat opposite to each other at the dinner-table ; and 

 as the youthful blood of the yeoman waxed warm with wine, 

 he resolved to pay his favourite Squire a compliment, and, 

 taking courage, thus addressed the chair : — 



' Mr. President, may I be allowed to propose a toast ? ' 

 ' By all means,' replied the president. 



' Then I will give you — Down-Barton's glory,' said the man, 

 who delighted in hounds and horses, and doated on the Squire 

 that was the owner of them. 



' Down-Barton's glory ? ' repeated the steward ; ' I must beg 

 an explanation of the toast, for I do not comprehend its 

 meaning.' 



' Then, sir, you shall have it,' resumed the yeoman ; ' / mean 

 Squire Cranhrook, and tliere lie sits' — (pointing to his opposite 

 neighbour). 



It was now the Squire's turn to pay a compliment, his health 

 having been drunk with great applause ; and this is the way 

 in which he did it. Sending for his servant, he ordered him 

 to go to a druggist's shop, and get half a pint of syrup of 

 buckthorn, which he was to put into a bottle containing an 

 equal quantity of claret, and, when well mixed, to put it by 

 him on the table. ' Now, Mr. President,' said Squire Cranbrook, 

 ' allow me to give a toast.' 



' By all means,' answered the steward ; ' always haj^j^y to 

 hear from Mr. Cranbrook.' 



'Then I'll give you the health of my opposite neighbour, 

 Mr. Ridge ways, a good sportsman, and a dear lover of horses 

 and hounds,' replied Squire Cranbrook. ' Stand wp, if you 



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