100 THE HORSE AND HIS EIDER. 



to his intellectual occupations, tlie manly exercise of 

 liunting. 



Instead, however, of subsisting on the healthy diet 

 just described, the ordinary practice of many hunting 

 men is to add to what may be called *' Nature's pre- 

 scription for the enjoyment of good health" the following 

 ingredients : — 



1. After breakfixst, before mounting the spiry covert 

 hack — a cigar. 



2. On arriving at a hand-gallop at the meet; again 

 on reaching the covert — a cigar. 



3. At two o'clock some cold grouse, a long suck 

 from a flat flask full of sherry, or brandy and water, 

 and — a cigar. 



4. After the run, another suck at the flat flask — a 

 cigar. Eefreshment at the nearest inn, for man and 

 horse, and — a cigar. 



5. While riding home, per hour — a cigar. 



6. On reaching home, a heavy dinner, a superstratum 

 of wine, an astronomical peep at the new moon, and — 

 a cigar. 



For a short time, a stout system is exhilarated, and a 

 strong stomach may be invigorated, by a series of gifts 



