THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 137 



ing a chance away to omit the additional security of 

 having the stirrup irons made to open with a spring, 

 when the foot is displaced. The advantage is obvious, 

 and, if the springs are properly tempered, no incon- 

 venience can ever arise. There is, probably, a saving of 

 expense and labour, which may form a recommendation 

 to the jack-boot, but it does not cost more now than 

 it did formerly, to dress hke a gentleman ; and as it is 

 not absolutely necessary that port wine and black- 

 currant jelly should be the chief ingredients of proper 

 blacking, or that the boot-top hquid should actually 

 be composed of champaign and apricot-jam, according 

 to the most approved University prescriptions, it is 

 to be hoped that such boots as those worn by his Grace 

 of Dorset may long retain their supremacy, not only 

 as the most becoming, but the most appropriate. It 

 would be difficult, perhaps presumptuous, to offer any 

 rules for hunting-apparel, unless possessed of the ability 

 with which Colonel Hawker has given instructions 

 for the dress of the shooter, — as the colour of the 

 upper garment is almost universally the same, and 

 the cut of it must, of course, be regulated by the taste 

 of the wearer,— but to the precaution against wet and 

 cold which would suggest lamb's-wool stockings and 

 thick soles for the feet, I would venture to add that 

 of a lining of flannel to the coat, as a measure of no 

 little comfort and Utility. It is said, that Mr. Brummel's 



