THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



now plainly see bhrougli all your distant views ; that you are 

 (leteriaincd to be a sportsman, and to lead ;i country life. 

 Well, I know not how I can blame you on the principle of 

 Horace, who, with his usual good discretion, tells us, that we 

 should neither commend our own tastes, nor censure those of 

 others ; neither will I blame you, provided you bear in mind 

 that the alternate pleasure of reading and recreation is the 

 happy privilege of retired leisure. That you will descend so 

 low in the scale of intellectual beings, whose minds have been 

 cultivated, as to assume the character of tlte mere sportsman, I 

 cannot, for a moment, induce myself to suppose : such a person 

 is now happily becoming scarce ; and the badge of a liberal 

 education is not, as it was used to be, all at once thrown aside. 

 Let me, however, as you are about to launch into what may 

 be called promiscuous society, which that of sportsmen must 

 generally be termed, offer to your notice a few hints, a close 

 attention to which may turn to your account, as you pass 

 through life. 



' Civility and good breeding are generally considered synony- 

 mous terms, but they are not such. Good breeding implies 

 civility, but civility does not reciprocal!}^ imply good breeding. 

 Good breeding is the middle point between two extremes, — 

 between flattery and sincerity. It is to be acquired partly by 

 a knowledge of the world, but chiefly by keeping good company. 

 It is, I admit, difficult to be defined, inasmuch as it consists in 

 a fitness and propriety of words, actions, and looks, adapted to 

 the variety and combination of persons, places, and things ; 

 but it covers a multitude of faults,^ and, to a certain degree, 

 supplies the want of virtues. In the common course of life it 

 is invaluable, keeping people within the bounds of decenc}^ 

 checking familiarity, and restraining excesses. It is, in fact, 

 tlu^ ornament and cement of social life. Great talents make a 

 man famous ; learning causes him to be esteemed : but it is 

 good breeding — which is something more than an accomplish- 

 ment — that alone renders him beloved. We will talk over 

 these matters when you come to town, which I suppose you 

 will do in the spring, when all the world is here ; and till then, 

 and alwaj^s, 



' I remain, jowr affectionate uncle, 

 ' Beaumont Raby 



' To I'raneijs Raby, Esq.' 



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