THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 333 



" MY DEAR FRASK, You are aware that it was the 

 earnest desire of your late uncle, and it is likewise mine, 

 that you should occupy a seat in the senate. It will be an 

 admirable introduction into good society, and give you 

 an importance in your own eyes and in those of others, to 

 which, by circumstances, you are entitled. I have reason 

 to believe a very small sum will secure you a seat for the 

 borough of Riply, and I am willing to find the needful. 

 Let me request, then, that you will immediately proceed 

 thither, and my friend Sir Richard Hartley will propose 

 you to the electors, as well as arrange everything that 

 may be necessary towards securing your return for the 

 borough. Observe, it is not quite a close borough ; but I 

 understand there will be no opposition to anyone put 

 in nomination by Sir Richard. We are all well here. I 

 have heard of your success at Bibury, but know not 

 whether to congratulate you, being no friend to the 

 dangerous pursuit of racing. Out of five of my fellow- 

 collegians who have pursued it, three ruined themselves 

 past recovery. Reflect upon this, and let me have your 

 immediate decision respecting Riply. In haste, your 

 affectionate father, 



" ANDREW RABY. 

 " AMSTEAD ABBEY, June 25th, 1809." 



The following reply to the foregoing epistle was de- 

 spatched by return of the post : 



" MY DEAR FATHER, It would ill become me to refuse 

 complying, in any respect, with the ' earnest desire ' of 

 either my late uncle or yourself. I have only to say, 

 then, that, although I have not the slightest wish to be in 

 Parliament, nor the slightest idea that I shall be of any 

 use when I am there, beyond a silent vote, nevertheless, 

 I am willing to take the step that seems s6 near to your 

 heart. I will proceed to Riply to-morrow, or next day, 

 and of course you will write to Sir Richard, and arrange 

 all things necessary with him. The on dit here is, that I 

 am to be opposed by a rich sugar-baker from the city if 

 so, money will be wanted beyond the mere usual expenses 

 of the return ; and I honestly tell you that, after having 

 gained a victory over the second best gentleman jockey at 

 Bibury, I should not relish being beaten by a city sugar- 

 baker over another course still less to spend my own 



