FOX-HUNTING. 2J 



thrust upon him. He must ride ; it was expected 



from him. Noblesse oblige I he hates it, but he must 



do it. It embitters his life, but he dare not sacrifice 



the reputation. The eyes of Europe are upon him, 



as he thinks; and so, though in mortal fear during 



the most part of every hunting day, he endures it. 



He suffers, and is strong. Each day requires from 



him some feat of daring for the edification of the 



field ; and he does it, usually executing it in sight of 



the whole field, when hounds are running slowly, 



charging some big fence, which there is no real 



necessity for jumping, at full speed, and shutting his 



eyes as he goes over. The county analyst, if called 



upon to examine the contents of the various fiasks 



carried by the field, would pronounce this gentleman's 



sherry or brandy to be less diluted with water than 



any one else's. Honour to him ! If you feel no fear, 



what credit to ride boldly ? But if you really ** funk," 



and ride boldly, this is to be brave indeed. 



Then among the more passive class of riders 

 comes the man who goes in entirely for " a sporting 



