THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 215 



enemies, that not a syllable lie uttered could be heard by 

 the House. Being a good plucked one, however, he would 

 not sit down until a friend in his rear pulled him into 

 his seat by his skirts, to the amusement of those who 

 witnessed it. Still," continued Sir John, "there are 

 striking exceptions to this rule none, perhaps, more so 

 than in your own person, in your maiden speech on the 

 slave trade." 



" I thank you for the compliment," observed Mr. Raby, 

 "although I see in it an unintentional rebuke. I was 

 certainly successful in my first essay ; but being aware 

 that to have followed up this success, would have imposed 

 upon me labours that a naturally indolent disposition 

 was unwilling to submit to ; and being averse to the 

 attempt at doing anything by halves, I gave up politics 

 at once : and in one respect I am a gainer. I have retained 

 the friendship of men for whom I have the highest regard, 

 but which, being opposed to them in my views, Avould 

 have been endangered in the heat of political warfare and 

 debate. However, to return to the original object of 

 introducing the conversation respecting Frank. As you 

 have decidedly ail influence over him, let me beseech you 

 to use it in impressing on him moderation in his pursuits, 

 and not to forget that, one day or another and no one 

 knows how soon he may be called upon to fulfil duties 

 of no ordinary kind. Again, I am rather inclined to 

 believe he has somewhat of an extravagant turn, which 

 may lead him into difficulties unexpectedly ; for I hear 

 he has already added two hunters to his stud talks of 

 purchasing others and has taken apartments and stables 

 at Melton for the forthcoming hunting season." 



" Well, Raby," said the Baronet ; " you have now paid 

 me a compliment, in return for one which is justly your 

 due. With regard to expense, I have always instilled 

 upon Frank's mind at least, whenever an opportunity 

 offered the advantage of living within one's income, 

 inasmuch as the exceeding it is the bane of all real 

 comfort ; and, believing example to be much better than 

 precept, I have shown him, in black and white, that I 

 live considerably within mine. As to his stud, I think 

 that, with his allowance of 800 a year from his father, 

 the run of the Abbey for himself and his horses in the 

 summer, and an occasional tip from his kind uncle (here 

 the uncle smiled, which, of course, implied assent), he 



