1 68 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



the new-born occurrences of the day in the pompous robe 

 of history. Your fine talkers always remind me of the 

 fable of Narcissus they fall in love with their own 

 voices, as he did with his own face. Did the flaming 

 speeches or strong remonstrances of Demosthenes (indeed, 

 old Juvenal tells us he had better have remained a black- 

 smith) banish corruption from Athens ? Did what is 

 called the masterpiece of Cicero's orations prevent the 

 banishment of Milo, or his invective against Antony 

 destroy the power of that tyrant ? Was not He ' who 

 spake as never man spake,' disregarded and persecuted 

 to death by the multitude ? Can human elocution perform 

 what divine accomplishments and assistance were not able 

 to effect ? Xo, uncle, in matters of common life, and also 

 in the House of Commons, it is not so much >rhfit is said, 

 as who said it, that has weight. In short, I look upon 

 oratory as a two-edged weapon, which cuts both ways ; 

 and if my scanty knowledge of history has led me to 

 a right conclusion, it is much to be doubted whether the 

 gift of fine speaking, though both excellent and useful 

 in its nature, has not been applied in such a manner as 

 to do more harm than good. Factious demagogues, in 

 the shape of fine speakers, have too often led the multitude 

 captive, by first deceiving, and afterwards plundering and 

 destroying them. I have now, my dear uncle, nothing 

 more to say on this subject than to assure you that it 

 is one on which I hope you will not press me further, 

 inasmuch as it gives me great pain to dissent from your 

 opinion, or thwart your wishes. On all other points, I 

 trust you will find me, what I hope you have hitherto 

 found me, Your affectionate and dutiful nephew, 



" FRANCIS RABY. 

 " BEAUMONT RABY, Esq., &c. &c. &c. 



" P.S. I forgot to mention one more objection to being 

 in Parliament. The House meets in the month of 

 February, decidedly the best month in the year for fox- 

 hunting. Then there is a call of the House, perhaps, just 

 as you had set your heart on some favourite fixtures. 

 Dauntley tells me, he never takes up a newspaper in 

 the hunting season, but he trembles for the words ' The 

 Lords summoned.'" 1 



1 It is a well-known fact that on two celebrated Meltonians 

 requesting to be excused sitting on a committe of the House, 



