THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



nor too much of any tiling. Tlien, again, if any of them meet 

 with an accident, or are sick, or want a week's rest, his 

 servants' hall and a good bed are open to them, till such 

 times as they recover. His Honour would have made the 

 l)est mail-coachman in England, for he keeps such capital 

 time, even with his own coach. He won't wait a moment for 

 nobody when his time is up ; and do you know, my Lord, he 

 once left his lady behind, to come home in a post-chaise, 

 because she warn't to the time at the inn from which he 

 starts. That's what I call being punctual. Then he goes 

 through all the manoeuvres that we regular coachmen go 

 through. ' When he drives into the yard, he walks into the 

 office, hangs up his coat and whip, takes off his knee-caps 

 and shawl, and then (what we can't do) walks out like a 

 gentleman.' 



At this moment a gentleman in black trotted past the coach, 

 and on its being remarked by our hero, that Jem made him a 

 most respectful salutation, he asked him his name. 



' His name, sir ! ' answered Jem ; ' why, I thought everybody 

 knew Parson Smith — the cleverest parson in the country. They 

 tells me that when he preaches the church is as full as a 

 cockpit.' 



' By the simile you have used,' observed Lord Edmonston, ' I 

 presume you are given to cock-fighting.' 



' Have been so, in a small way, all my life, my Lord,' replied 

 Jem. ' And when we gets to Sir Harry's, he will show you, if 

 you ask him, the picture of a favourite cock of mine, that won 

 me six battles. It is painted on the dial-plate of a watch I gave 

 the Baronet soon after he left college ; and there are also pictures 

 of a race-horse, a bulldog, and a greyhound on it, with my own 

 ugly face in the centre.' 



A good laugh, of course, followed this episode of Jem's, and, 

 when it ceased, Lord Edmonston told him he was sorry to hear 

 he was fond of so cruel a sport as cock-fighting. ' My friend, 

 Mr. Raby, had a turn that way,' said his Lordship, ' but I am 

 happy to say he now flies at nobler game.' 



' Why, my Lord,' said Jem, ' I much fear there are no sports 

 which you gentlemen takes delight in, that are not more or less 

 cruel. I thinks as how I should have given up cock-fighting, had 

 not a very clever gentleman of our University made me believe 

 it is not at all cruel.' 



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