THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 87 



to a T ; there is a gaiety of heart and lightness of spirit 

 about him, which I have never found to the same extent 

 in any other man ; and it adds much to his popularity, 

 that he has a joke ready at hand for everyone. But it is 

 not the reckoning at a hunting-club that can hurt either 

 "Warde or you. I do not know a better manager than he 

 is ; and as for yourself, Inkleton, if you steer clear of 

 that accursed vice, gambling, you have enough for your 

 enjoyment of all the fun this world can afford you. 

 Neither your hunting, nor your coaching, nor your house- 

 keeping, good as it is, can hurt you. You will, I am sure, 

 pardon this remark from a man much older than yourself, 

 and one who entertains for you a sincere regard, not only 

 on your own account, but as the son of a valued friend." 



"Xo fear," replied Sir John ; "I never lost 100 at 

 any game in my life ; and as I know not one of my friends 

 or acquaintance that is a gainer, but many who are losers 

 by gambling, I mean to steer clear of it. In fact, I 

 detest your professed gamesters ; their hearts are as hard 

 as stones, and as cold too ; and they would rob their own 

 brothers if they could." 



On the following morning, Sir John took his departure 

 from the Abbey, but not without having obtained a 

 promise from Frank, to visit him before he went to 

 Oxford. 



CHAPTER VI 



College life, with some sketches of men and manners at Oxford, in 

 the latter part of the last century Bibury Meeting in its 

 palmy days. 



HAVING assumed the manly gown, we now find the 

 young Rabys at the University of Oxford cele- 

 brated for making gentlemen as well as scholars ; one of 

 the two great luminaries of the intellectual world ; and, 

 despite of the cavils against it, one of the brightest jewels 

 in the British Crown. We find them occupying handsome 

 rooms in Peckwater, gentlemen-commoners on the books, 

 and with an allowance of 600 per annum to each for 

 their expenses, it being the wish of their father, and also 

 of their uncle, who contributed towards it, that they 

 should not only make a respectable figure in the 



