44 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



splitting pace he did along stony and sloughy lanes — a service of 

 more danger than riding straight over the fences. He disdained 

 having a pad-boy to help him ; but from the respect in which he 

 was held, every one was anxious to afford him assistance. He had, 

 indeed, a laughable way of helinng himself to it in the following 

 manner : on coming to a fence he did not like the look of, and seeing 

 any one he knew going at it, he would exclaim, " Thank ye. Sir, I 

 am very much obliged to you ; you'll just catch my horse!" This 

 just catching his horse, just lost his friend the run, if it were a good 

 one ; but few could refuse the boon when asked for by him. The 

 last thing that Mr. Corbet could have been accused of was being 

 selfish in the field — for no man was ever more anxious to shew sport 

 to his friends, even if he could not enjoy it himself ; and when his 

 hounds were well settled to their fox, and things looked well, he 

 would cry out, " Now, gentleman, ride and catch 'em if you can." 



Having mentioned two of the principal characters in this once 

 celebrated Hunt that could not ride, your readers will think it time I 

 should speak of those who could. 



Whatever may be the art we attempt, our merit in excelling in it 

 is proportionate to the difficulties we may have to contend with, as 

 he who might make a good arithmetician might cut a very bad 

 figure in fluxions. In riding at a rapid pace over a deep and strongly 

 enclosed country u-eifjh.t must be allowed to be the greatest obstacle 

 that presents itself ; therefore he who outstrips his competitors, with 

 such fearful odds against him, is most entitled to the prize. I shall 

 therefore first introduce the name of Mr. Eobert Canning. 



It was said of Caligula, that he was sent by Heaven to shew what 

 mischief the worst man in the world, with the greatest means, could 

 accomplish — an awkward experiment, we must allow. It was said 

 of the late Duke of Bedford, that he was sent by Heaven to exhibit 

 a contrasted lesson to mankind, and to prove what good could be 

 done by a man well disposed to do it, when fortune had placed the 

 means in his hands. Of Mr. Eobert Canning it may be asserted, 

 that among other excellent qualifications, he was sent amongst us to 

 slieiv tohat that fine animal the horse can do. When we reflect for a 

 moment on the subject — when we think that a man, measuring six 

 j eat four inches in height, and iceighing, icith his saddle, seventeen 



