Conclusion. 305 



walls, and the clean guns piled in a long row against 

 the gun-rack, will often recall a tableau in after years 

 in countries far from this land of independence. The 

 acknowledged sports of England will appear child's 

 play ; the exciting thrill will be wanting when a sud- 

 den rush in the jungle brings the rifle on full cock ; 

 and the heavy guns will become useless mementoes 

 of past .days, like the dusty helmets of yore hanging 

 up in an old hall. The belt and the hunting-knife will 

 alike share the fate of the good rifle, and the blade, now 

 so keen, will blunt from sheer neglect. The slips, 

 which have held the necks of dogs of such staunch na- 

 tures, will hang neglected from the wall ; and all these 

 souvenirs of wild sports, contrasted with the puny imple- 

 ments of the English chase, will awaken once more the 

 longing desire for the " Rifle and Hound in Ceylon." 

 26* U 



