LIFE OF MYTTON. 91 



previously with a clergyman in Shropshire) ; and 

 that he should not have thought of committing it but 

 for a certain ostler on the road, who persuaded him 

 to it ; and was about to proceed in the same suppli- 

 cating manner, when Mytton seized him by the 

 collar, and giving him one of his horse-like kicks, 

 told him to go into the servants' hall and put on his 

 livery again. John cared nothing for the kick ; but 

 on a very strong remonstrance from the agent — who 

 indeed went so far as to say he should throw up his 

 agency if such conduct were passed over — John was 

 once more drafted from Halston servants' hall. 

 Mytton's own notions of a good servant were some- 

 what peculiar. In once hiring a keeper he did not 

 go so much upon character and experience, as the 

 applicant's ability to thrash a certain sweep that was 

 in the habit of trespassing in the Halston covers. 

 A trial was accordingly agreed to, and the new man 

 put upon the watch. In due course the sweep made 

 his appearance, and after a long fight was well licked. 

 The keeper's engagement was ratified forthwith, as 

 the sweep was thoroughly satisfied — and the sweep 

 was Mytton himself. 



I conceive no one knew the limits of I\Ir. Mytton's 

 natural talents. No doubt they were excellent ; and 



