THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



the go-by wlieu lie pleased, would occasionally ainuse himself by 

 so doing. 



It may be gathered, by what has been said oi" him, that 

 Lord Edmonston — although a young nobleman of a highly 

 honourable character, uniting prudence with liberality to a 

 degree not often experienced at his period of life, and, as may 

 also be recollected, not only a kind friend, but an affectionate 

 and serviceable monitor to our hero in the hour of need, 

 although he was at that time little known to his Lordship — was 

 neither a practical coachman nor sportsman — beyond driving 

 his own curricle, in the one case, and joining the hounds of 

 his neighbourhood, in the other; not so much, perhaps, from 

 the love of hunting, which he did not profess to understand, 

 as for the exercise and society which the noble pursuit afforded 

 him. At a dinner, then, given by Sir John Inkleton, a day or 

 two after one of the processions of the Four-in-hand Club had 

 taken place, and at which, by the introduction' of Frank Raby, 

 his Lordship was one of the guests, the conversation having 

 turned upon the doings of this very celebrated club, he was 

 thus heard to speak of it : — 



' It may be all very well,' said his Lordship, ' for gentlemen 

 to drive their own carriages, wheresoever and whensoever 

 they like ; but it strikes me that there is too much system in 

 the proceedings of the Four-horse Club. There is, likewise, 

 in the dress of the members, too great a desire to imitate the 

 public coachmen, to the detriment of their own caste, as well 

 as of their personal appearance. I rather give the preference 

 to the Benson Club, inasmuch as the gratification arising from 

 the pursuit is equally enjoyed by the members, but in a quieter 

 way, and stripped of all display.' 



' There is some justice in your remarks,' observed Sir John 

 Inkleton ; ' still I am disposed to believe that much more 

 of good than of harm has been the result of both of those 

 clubs. That great improvement has taken place in coach 

 travelling during the last few years — a point of innnense 

 importance to a commercial country, which England is— in 

 its various branches and departments, no one will feel dis- 

 posed to deny; and coach proprietors are entitled to their 

 meed of praise for their exertions in aiding the good cause. 

 I am, however, bold enough to assert that not the least, if not 

 the principal efficient cause has been, the great interest taken 



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