THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



perform what divine accomplishments and assistance were not 

 able to effect ? No, uncle, in matters of common life, and also 

 in the House of Commons, it is not so much what is said, as 

 'who said it, that has weight. In short, I look upon oratory as 

 a two-edged weapon, which cuts both ways ; and if my scanty 

 knowledge of history has led me to a right conclusion, it is 

 much to be doubted w^hether the gift of fine speaking, though 

 both excellent and useful in its nature, has not been applied 

 in such a manner as to do more harm than good. Factious 

 demagogues, in the shape of fine speakers, have too often led 

 the multitude captive, by first deceiving, and afterwards plun- 

 dering and destroying them. I have now, my dear uncle, 

 nothing more to say on this subject than to assure you that it 

 is one on which I hope you will not press me further, inasmuch 

 as it gives me great pain to dissent from your opinion, or 

 thwart your wishes. On all other points, I trust you will find 

 me, what I hope you have hitherto found me, 



' Your afiectionate and dutiful nephew, 



' Francis Raby. 



' Beaumont Itiiby, Es(|., etc. etc. etc. 



' P.S. — I forgot to mention one more objection to being in 

 Parliament. The House meets in the month of February, de- 

 cidedly the best month in tlie year for fox-hunting. Then 

 there is a call of the House, perhaps, just as you had set your 

 heart on some favourite fixtures. Dauntley tells me, he never 

 takes up a newspaper in the hunting season, but he trembles for 

 the words — " The Lords summoned." ' ^ 



As may be imagined, the contents of this letter, as far as they 

 related to the ofier of the borough, and the hopes of the uncle 

 for the future renown of his nephew, were by no means agreeable 

 to Mr. Beaumont Raby ; but enough has been said of his char- 

 acter to make it apparent that he did not take the trouble to 

 renew his solicitation by letter. In mere acknowdedgment, then, 

 of our hero's determination to refuse the proffered boon, he thus 

 expressed himself in return : — 



' Your letter, my dear Frank, wliich I receivL'd yesterday, 

 was to me rather an annoyance than a matter of surprise. I 



^ It is a well-known fact that on two celebrated Meltonians requesting to be 

 excused sitting on a committee of the House, the Speaker observed, that he 

 believed ' tlie month of February w.as the best hunting month in the year.' 



172 



