A BAD HUNTSMAN. 169 



when we readied Barton Court, where I left Mr. Charley 

 thoroughly disgusted. 'Holloa!' here; 'tally ho!' there; 

 hounds' heads up, looking about, and wondering what it all 

 meant ; in short. Will, your old friend Stiles remarked, ' It 

 will not do, Mr. Conyers — the pack will be ruined, if the young 

 squire don't take them in hand again, and that pretty soon.* 

 The fact is, Charley is too much in a hurry, and tries to kill his 

 fox before he is half beaten ; and, like many other young hunts- 

 men, depends more upon his own assumed knowledge than the 

 hounds' noses." 



"You must remember," said Beauchamp, "it is his first day, 

 and he will improve." 



"I don't think it, Will ; his ideas are all wrong at present, 

 and he will certainly spoil the hounds by trying to ride away 

 fix)m the field, which appears to be his chief consideration. 

 The more haste the less speed ; and a thorough good huntsman, 

 however quick, ought never to be in a hurry. It is the same 

 with hounds — a fast and a quick hound are very distinct animals; 

 and a harey starey fellow, who, as Beckford says, would ride 

 over a church if it came in his way, is generally the reverse of 

 quick." 



" Well, Bob, I hope to be in the saddle again the beginning 

 of next week ; and now, as I know Mrs. Gordon will be in a 

 fidget about leaving, we must cut short our discussion about 

 the merits of hounds and huntsmen — what say you, Malcolm ?'* 



" Always as ready to attend the ladies, my dear fellow, aa 

 yourself; so come along." 



"Well, aunt," said he, as they enteied the drawing-room, 

 " don't you think me a very good, obedient nephew, to break up 

 our after-dinner sitting so early % " 



" Yes, Charles, you have behaved very well indeed to-night." 



" Ah ! very little merit is due to me, for Will Beauchamp, 

 being restricted from wine, hurried us off before our second 

 bottle was finished, for which Conyers and myself voted him a 

 confounded bore, and a very selfish fellow to boot ; so now, to 

 be revenged, I shall make Constance and Blanche sing till 

 midnight." 



" Indeed, Charles, you will do no such thing ; I shall order 

 the carriage in half an hour, as, after what has happened, I 

 feel very nervous in being out late ; but if Mr. Beauchamp and 

 William will dine with us on Monday next, by which time I 

 hope he will be nearly recovered, you shall sit up till two in the 

 morning, if you like," 



