SELF-POSSESSION INDISPENSABLE. 129 



must have felt a sense of buoyancy and freedom that it 

 would be difficult to describe. Astride upon the monstrous 

 crocodile, Mr. Waterton must have rejoiced in his novel 

 position and fair feats of jockey ship. But neither Mr. 

 Waterton, nor he the subduer of the crocodile and 

 Python, can possibly feel more secret exultation than the 

 well-trained pedestrian, confident in his speed, secure in 

 his aim, and unbaffled in his science. 



As to mental endowments, your sportsman should have 

 the qualifications of an Ulysses and a Philidor combined. 

 Wary and circumspect, never going rashly to work, but 

 surveying all his ground accurately before he commences 

 operations, and previously calculating all his chances both 

 of success and of failure. Patient under suspense and 

 disappointment, calm and unruffled in moments of intense 

 interest, whether fortune seems to smile or frown on his 

 exertions ; and if his bosom must throb at such times, 

 when hopes and fears by turns assail it, he should at all 

 events keep such sensations under rigid control, not 

 suffering them to interfere with his equanimity, or to 

 disturb the coolness and self-possession which at such 

 moments are more than ever necessary to his operations. 



And that he may preserve in all their due vigour and 

 steadiness these indispensable qualities, he should add to 

 them in his hours of leisure and refreshment the further 

 graces of temperance and moderation. And here condemn 

 me not, ye joyous editors of Maga, if I restrict my stalker 

 to moderate libations after his toil. 



Odogherty, be merciful; Christopher, put down thy 

 bristles; for lo, I will not limit him, as Sir Humphry 

 does his fisherman, to the philosopher's half pint of claret ; 



K 



