362 TEMPUS MUTAT OMNES. 



At the period to which I allude, sweats, sweaters, 

 and setting, were as unknown in the hunter's stable 

 as a trot in that of the cart horse. 



The sportsman of those good olden times of course 

 then upheld the opinions entertained by others, and 

 adhered to the practices of others of his day ; nor is he 

 to be considered as one knowing little of his pursuit at 

 that time, or vacillating in his opinions or conduct 

 because ere this he would have changed his opinions 

 and altered his conduct in the same pursuit. He may 

 now adopt a diametrically opposite mode of following 

 that pursuit. This in no way proves he was wrong 

 formerly, but that, from the change of things, his 

 former mode, though right then, would be wrong now. 

 Nevertheless persons pique themselves very much on 

 what they term their steadiness of purpose, fixed prin- 

 ciples, and persevering efforts, when in point of fact 

 they often only deserve reprobation for their obstinacy, 

 and ridicule for persevering in attempting that which 

 it is next to impossible to achieve, and would be useless 

 if accomplished. 



If such perseverance could be held commendable, I 

 know of no more commendable gentleman than a pig. 

 Let this said persevering gentleman form a wish to 

 get through a gate, and supposing that gate opens 

 towards him and he gets his snout between it and the 

 gate port, of course the harder he shoves the closer the 

 gate jams in his snout ; he never attempts to throw it 

 open, but there he will stand, increasing his efforts to 

 shove through, and increasing his screaming as his 

 nose gets pinched: this generally ends in Hodge coming 

 with a good wattle in his hand, by the sound applica- 

 tion of which to the persevering gentleman's ribs, he 

 induces him to draw back, which puts an end to the 



