THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Honour,' by opening the door of his servants' hall to sucli of 

 the coachmen and guards on his road as required a few days' 

 rest, together with having their allowance scored up to him 

 in his village, through which three mails and seven coaches 

 passed daily, his name was known to nearly all the fraternity 

 of the whip as a kind-hearted gentleman, and among the best 

 friends of the road. He was, indeed, universally respected by 

 all ranks of persons in his neighbourhood ; neither was he 

 unmindful of the poor; allowing those of his parish, besides 

 occasional assistance, a bushel of wheat a week throughout 

 the year, as his father had always done to double that amount. 

 Then a pleasing circumstance occurred on the anniversary of 

 his taking up his abode at Farndon Hall. Setting aside the 

 outlay of his carriages and horses, as likewise the furnishing 

 of his house, he found himself so far from being in advance 

 of his annual income, that there was a balance of £1300 in his 

 favour. To this he was indebted partly to his own sense of 

 propriety, partly to the excellent advice of his friend Inkleton, 

 and greatly to his having looked into his affairs at the end of 

 each month, and paid ready money for all minor wants. The 

 little estate in Hertfordshire, also, from its beautiful locality, 

 had been sold for nearly £2000 beyond the calculation of his 

 agents, which tended further to place him ' on velvet,' that 

 is to say, with everything in his reach that a man of moderate 

 views could desire. ' Now,' said he to himself, ' I am qualified 

 to hunt from Melton.' 



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