SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 411 



most graciously, and many inquiries made about his 

 father, we sat some time talking upon indifferent 

 subjects, and, when taking leave, the great game 

 preserver asked us to stay and dine with him. 

 ''^ Being a bachelor/-' he said, "I will dispense with 

 your dressing for dinner ; and foxhunters are not 

 disposed to be particular as to the viands set before 

 them." 



Having no engagement, and it being then the 

 month of July, we accepted with pleasure the invi- 

 tation ; and our host, upon so short a preparation, 

 produced an entertainment which none can furnish 

 better than bachelors' cooks ; and we certainly did 

 ample justice to his champagne, for which the heat 

 of the weather was pleaded as an excuse. After 

 dinner, claret and burgundy took precedence over 

 our port and sherry ; and although our host, from 

 ill-health, drank only a weak solution of brandj^-and- 

 water, he was pleased to see his guests so well 

 satisfied with the productions of his cellar. Our 

 friend Fortescue being both witty and clever, with 

 an abundant store of odd stories and anecdotes, 

 contributed most pleasantly to the hilarity of the 

 entertainment, and our host, feeling in high good 

 humour, said with jocularity — 



" So, Fortescue, you came over with your friend, 

 it seems, to storm my castle and preserves, by the 

 assault, I suppose, of your agreeable conversation?" 



'^Not exactly so, sir, since I did not calculate 

 upon being admitted at all into your presence ; but 

 as you conferred that honour upon me, and received 

 us with such unbounded hospitality and kindness, 



