THE GREAT BREEDERS MR. LUKEY. 175 



I well remember the kind hearted, generous old fancier, 

 with his short burly figure, so thoroughly English, proposing 

 a short walk across the common, taking his dogs with him ; 

 he insisted on our calling at a posting house, and much to my 

 horror ordered a gallon of beer ; I was quite young at the 

 time, and not accustomed to imbibing any quantity of liquor, 

 but he would have my quart flagon filled. I asked him 

 numerous questions about the pedigrees of his dogs, and 

 finding he was somewhat confused, took pencil and paper, 

 and made notes, whereupon (in somewhat an uneasy manner 

 I thought) he asked if I was going to write a book about it ? 

 He kept pressing me to drink the beer, which I had no 

 intention of doing, and watching my opportunity, when his 

 back was turned, I emptied my flagon into his, a boyish and 

 not very manly expedient perhaps, but the result was satis- 

 factory to both parties, as I kept my head clear, and he 

 quaffed the lot with the greatest relish seemingly, and no 

 inconvenience or alteration, beyond that it caused him to be 

 more voluble and communicative. I mention these particulars 

 for a two-fold reason, first to take the opportunity should 

 these pages ever fall into the hands of a youthful fancier, to 

 show him the folly, and want of manhood really, in not 

 refusing flatly to imbibe more than he is accustomed to. In 

 thorough but mistaken good nature many old fanciers press 

 a youngster or fresh acquaintance to partake freely, the result 

 unhappily being that many men get led into bad habits, and 

 their moral conduct and self respect ruined through their 

 ' acquaintance with the fancy " as it is termed, but should be 

 more correctly " by their acquaintances in the fancy." On 

 the part of everyone, it is only courtesy to offer one's guest, 

 and a stranger, the best refreshment one's means admit of, 



