164 THE RIGHT SORT IN MAN OR HOUND. 



the devil by picking out some forty-pound hack-looking 

 rum-'un, and having a turn at him ! I know nothing 

 of what sort of workman he may be ; probably much 

 better than myself; but as he is neither lighter, younger, 

 nor much handsomer, by the Deity of Hunting, if I 

 ever do meet him with hounds, I'll have a twist with 

 him, even without picking a nag for the express purpose. 



I mention this anecdote, because it just dovetails 

 with a shrewd suspicion I have often entertained, that 

 the fashionable habit of calling every run a bore that 

 is not racing arises in some measure from the same 

 feeling of selfishness and vanity demonstrated in Sir 

 Hairy Headpiece. This is a very distinct sort of feeling 

 from that which emanates from a good-natured contest 

 with and among brother-sportsmen during a run ; or 

 from that of a high-spirited young-'un, who, in the 

 enthusiasm of youth, would say, " Now only give me 

 the right sort of country, and I'll show you the way." 

 I would clap him on the back, as I would a young 

 hound that had a little too much devil in him, and 

 say, " You'll be one of the right sort when you know 

 a little more : sail away, my fine fellow, and may the 

 winds be prosperous for your voyage through life ! " 

 Young hounds and young Sportsmen should both 

 have a little too much dash about them at first ; nor 

 do I object to see both ready for mischief when it only 

 proceeds from mettle and high blood. A little rating 

 will perhaps set both right : if not, the whipper-in 

 very soon will the one, and a few falls the other ; the 

 breed is right in both. 



A true fox-hunter and sportsman is no doubt in a 

 general way, however perfect a gentleman he may 

 be, as far removed from an affected fop as two sepa- 

 rate things can be : yet I have seen among men who 



