2G2 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



consequently the art of snaring is assiduously cultivated ; 

 children, from their infancy, are instructed in its rudi- 

 ments ; and, long before they arrive at the wiring of a 

 hare, these embrj^o heroes of a "shiny night, in the 

 season of the year," are able, with horsehair nooses, 

 dexterously to effect the capture of any number of par- 

 tridges and pheasants, where there are any such objects 

 for the employment of their skill. During the breeding 

 season, in order to keep their hands well in (the occupa- 

 tion of picking and stealing) the trade which thrives 

 best with them, they industriously gain possession of 

 all the eggs within the range of a Sunday's ramble, 

 over any ground unguarded by a host of sentinels. 

 For these, also, they obtain a ready sale. Under such 

 circumstances it would be, indeed, something extraordi- 

 nary, if the diversion of shooting were to be enjoyed as 

 before. In many places where, within my memory, 

 game abounded, there would now be as reasonable 

 expectation of finding a five pound note as one head of 

 any description. The pastimes of winter, " siih Jove 

 frigido," are not so numerous as those of the summer's 

 day ; then cricket, bowls, quoits, or a hundred other 

 exercises, not to mention the race-course, the gentle art 

 of angling, or the exciting pleasures of sailing, may 

 occupy the leisure hours ; but all these vanish with 

 September's sun. Partridge-shooting, which has dete- 

 riorated less than any other chasse au fusil, may endure 

 for its brief season ; but there is a monotony in the 

 pursuit, militating against the permanence of its charms. 



