CHRISTOPHER IN HIS SPORTING JACKET 



yet all blending harmoniously as they crown the 

 mount; so that a painter would only have to group 

 and colour them as they stand, nor lose, if able to 

 catch them, one of the dazzling lights or deepening 

 shadows streamed on them from that sunny, yet not 

 unstormy sky. 



You read in books of travels and romances, of Barbs 

 and Arabs galloping in the desert and well doth 

 Sir Walter speak of Saladin at the head of his Sara- 

 cenic chivalry; but take our word for it, great part 

 of all such descriptions are mere falsehood or fudge. 

 Why in the devil's name should dwellers in the desert 

 always be going at full speed? And how can that full 

 speed be any thing more than a slow heavy hand- 

 gallop at the best, the barbs being up to the belly 

 at every stroke? They are always, it is said, in high 

 condition but we, who know something about horse- 

 flesh, give that assertion the lie. They have seldom 

 any thing either to eat or drink; are lean as church- 

 mice; and covered with clammy sweat before they 

 have ambled a leagiie from the tent. And then such 

 a set of absurd riders, with knees up to their noses, 

 like so many tailors riding to Brentford, via the 

 deserts of Arabia! Such bits, such bridles, and such 

 saddles! But the whole set-out, rider and ridden, ac- 

 coutrements and all, is too much for one^s gravity, 

 and must occasion a frequent laugh to the wild ass 

 [42] 



