116 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



that lie should be bled, but not in the field, or before he 

 has rallied from the shock. When fairly housed, let 

 him not only be bled, but take physic.* He will thus 

 counteract the ill effects (and there is no saying how 

 terrible have been the consequences of a neglected fall), 

 and, probably, be all the fitter, with the interval of one 

 day's rest, to endure another, if it be his destiny. Nim- 

 rod, who has written to the purpose on this, as on all 

 other points which he has touched, says, 



" There's a sweet little clierub tliat sits up aloft" 



to keep watch for the life of a sportsman, as well as of 

 " poor Jack ;" and it is with a feeling as far as possible 

 removed from levity, or irreverence, that a fox-hunter's 

 creed may be said to comprehend the profession of a 

 very lively faith in Providence. Of all kinds of falls, the 

 worst are those which happen either from a horse get- 

 ting his foot into a hole, when at speed, or slipping up 

 sideways. Most others may be more or less affected by 

 horsemanship ; but for these there is no help. In 

 Hampshire, and in the western counties, where there are 

 downs, over which hounds run well, the number of cart- 

 ruts is most annoying, and many are the purls which 

 they occasion. A horse must needs roll over his rider ; 

 as it rarely occurs, in this sudden circumvolution, that a 

 man is pitched clear of him. The best way of crossing 



* Since the above was written, great changes have occurred alike in 

 human and veterinary practice. In che former the lance is, I believe, 

 nearly discarded, and phlebotomy confined to leeches or occasional cup- 

 ping. In both, prevention of making blood, rather than taking it, is 

 the rule. 



