THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



at tliis period, in the snimner months, in the country — our 

 party sat down to just such a dinner as we may imagine our 

 young sportsman to have given tliem — not of tlie first qualit}', 

 for the cJief de cuisinr was wanting, but sucli as no English 

 gentleman could find fault with. Neither were the wines in 

 th(; highest order for drinking, although all were excellent of 

 their sort, timr not having been allowed for their recovering 

 themselves, after their transport from London and Dublin — 

 the claret having been imported from the latter city. Every- 

 thing, however, in the shape of liquids, that could be improved 

 by it, was iced, even to the home-brewed small beer — no very 

 contemptible bevei-age to travellers who had been exposed to 

 a midsummer sun. 



It was the fashion in those days to drink toasts in all private 

 parties, among sportsmen especially ; and the third given this 

 evening — that is to say, the one following the King, and fox- 

 hunting, was — ' THE ROAD ! ' As may be supposed, it gave rise 

 to some conversation on the subject, of w^hich the following is 

 the substance : — 



AS'iV John. — ' Well, Frank, I must say that, from wdiat I have 

 to-day seen of your coaching establishment, I am inclined to 

 think you wall make a very good start on the road — that is to 

 say, if the cattle are to your liking.' 



Lord Edmonston. — ' I think so, too ; but you will pay dear for 

 your wdiistle. I understand the expenses of a complete driving 

 establishment, to the same extent as yours, are calculated at 

 £1200 a year, at least.' 



Sir John. — ' I can confirm that by my own experience. Mine 

 costs me a little more than that sum, including what I give 

 away annually to road coachmen and guards.' 



Lord. Edmonston. — ' You are the Maecenas of guards and 

 coachmen, I understand, Inkleton. At all events, your name 

 is known to all that I have ever come in contact with, and on 

 air roads.' 



Sir John. — 'I do what I can for them ; I think that, when 

 they conduct themselves properly, they are a very deserving 

 set of men, and are not so well remunerated as they ought to 

 be, considering the wear and tear of life inseparable from their 

 calling, and the risks they incur of accidents. I do not grudge 

 what they get from me, because I have seen much improvement 

 amongst them, on my road, from the notice I have taken of 



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