126 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN 



which I recommend is, to watch the disease, and at every turn of 

 it assist nature whenever she points the way. 



The advice which, at the commencement of these Reminis- 

 cences, I presumed to offer to young sportsmen I found it very 

 difficult to act up to when my privacy was disturbed at Han-old 

 by the request to stand for the western division of Gloucester- 

 shire. No man enjoyed society more than I did, and, until I 

 went to Harrold, I had never missed a London season. My 

 fortune, under West India failures, would not admit of a London 

 season and a pack of foxhounds; so, as I advise every man 'to 

 do, in spite of the contempt made famous by Lord Chesterfield's 

 wish to the barking cur-dog, that " he was married and settled in 

 the country," when a man marries, if he has to make a selection 

 for all the year round, let him adopt the country life. I did so, 

 and a right happy life it was and is ; and, when the proposition 

 came that I should contest the county, I had never been to 

 London for more than a day or so for five years. The proposi- 

 tion came to me first from Colonel Berkeley, and, making no 

 disguise of my reluctance, I firmly declined. My reasons were 

 asked, and I stated them fairly, that I was reluctant to break in 

 upon my retired life, to incur fresh expenses, and to risk the loss 

 of my hounds. This only brought to me further entreaties, 

 with an assurance that my public position should not cost me a 

 farthing. I had already, on the passing of the Reform Bill, 

 taken some local lead in politics, by proposing the late Lord 

 Ducie, then Mr. Henry Moreton, to represent the whole county 

 for the passing of that measure, and, also, at another election, 

 the nomination of Mr. Hanbury Tracey, now Lord Sudeley, for 

 Tewkesbury. Mr. Henry Moreton succeeded, but Mr Tracey 

 was at that time defeated. Well, my old maxim, that a man 

 should not on account of favourite recreations give up more 

 refined accomplishments, nor cease to aspire to the noblest 

 things in life, had weight with me then ; and that maxim, 

 backed by the most ardent wish of Colonel Berkeley and others 

 of my family, made me acquiesce, the only stipulation being that 

 he should make an addition to my income. By these means I 



