62 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



the field of fox-hunters ; but nothing can be more offen- 

 sive to the feehngs of any one with the shghtest pre- 

 tensions to the character of a sportsman, than to number 

 him amongst those who hunt only for the sake of a ride, 

 which they may enjoy at least as well, if not better, after 

 a stag, or a drag. Still, notwithstanding the esprit da 

 corps, which would induce me strenuously to advocate 

 the cause of the first class, — those "who ride only to 

 hunt," — I must confess that I doubt much whether the 

 Noble Science would not be robbed of one half of its 

 seductive attractions, if it were not so combined with, 

 and inseparable from, the use of the horse, — if what is 

 allowed to be, by both sexes, the most dehghtful of all 

 exercises, were not necessary to its enjoyment. We have 

 read of following the chase on foot, but it is associated 

 only with the bell-mouthed southern hound, the moun- 

 tain, and the moor. However devoted a man may be 

 to the breed of dogs, and to the cultivation of that part 

 of the Noble Science which I may term the philosophy of 

 hunting, he might say, with Shakespeare, " what think 

 you of the mustard without the beef," if you attempt to 

 divest it of the charms of riding to hounds. Indeed, 

 riding to hounds is clearly what was meant by the old 

 song of " going a-hunting," and " a-hunting we will go.'' 

 How can a man go unless he is possessed of an animal — 



'• All that a horse should be which nought did lack. 

 Save a proud rider on so proud a hack. " 



