TO BRIGHTON 



hunting songs till the rafters rang, and the dogs 

 under the table got up and barked. Cannot you 

 see them ? The stubbles are ready now once more 

 for the sportsmen. 



With long-barrelled flint-lock guns they ranged 

 over that wonderful map of the land which lies 

 spread out at your feet as you look down from the 

 Dyke. There are already yellowing leaves ; they 

 will be brown after a while, and the covers will 

 be ready once more for the visit of the hounds. 

 The toast upon this mug would be very gladly 

 drunk by the agriculturist of to-day in his silk hat 

 and black coat. It is just what he has been 

 wishing these many seasons. 



" Here 's to thee, mine honest friend, 

 Wishing these hard times to mend." 



Hard times, then, are nothing new. 



" It is good ale," is the inscription on another 

 jug ; that jug would be very welcome if so filled in 

 many a field this very day. " Better luck still " 

 is a jug motto which every one who reads it will 

 secretly respond to. Cock-fighting has gone by, 

 but we are eVen more than ever on the side of fair 

 play, and in that sense can endorse the motto, 

 " May the best cock win." A cup desires that 

 fate should give 



" Money to him who has spirit to use it, 

 And life to him who has courage to lose it." 

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