240 The Rabbit Battue. 



one wished to sketch a truly British group, here they are ready to 

 hand under the shade of its old branches. Tradition tells us that 

 there are old oaks in the forest which were coeval with the Druids. 

 Certain it is that many of them (and probably the very one under 

 which we are now lying) have often sheltered the bold outlaw, 

 Robin Hood, when he and his merry band were wont to wander 

 at will over these forest glades after a more noble quarry than that 

 which we are this day pursuing. But it seems that even then 

 this forest had lost its guardians, for not so very far from this old 

 oak an upright stone marks the spot to this day where " Stoode ye 

 bocasse tree in which Robin Hoode hyde his bowe and arrowes 

 when pursued by the sheriffe. Blown down in 1 7 ." The bow and 

 arrow has now given place to the fowling-piece, and the red deer 

 now no longer roam in a state of nature over the old forest ; but I 

 don't fancy the race of foresters have degenerated, for though the 

 "kirtle of Lincoln green" has been laid aside for the rusty old bit 

 of velveteen, I very much question whether I could not pick half- 

 a-dozen men out of the group now assembled under this old oak 

 who would give the bold outlaw and his resolute followers some 

 trouble if they were once again to appear in the precincts of this 

 chase. 



I have always been of Pope's opinion that " the proper study of 

 mankind is man," and I have derived considerable instruction and 

 amusement during my journey through life, in studying the dress, 

 habits, and appearance of my fellow travellers whom I chance to 

 meet on the road. And there is a good deal to study in the group now 

 before me; and the study is not the less pleasing because every man 

 bears the impress of the true Briton unmistakably marked in every 

 feature and appointment. I am not fond of quoting from others, 

 for to say the least of it such a practice betokens a want of ability 

 in one's self; but there is a something so truly national and so full 

 of true British sentiment in the following passage, copied from a 

 little series of sporting sketches entitled " Behind the Bar " (sketches, 

 moreover, which, for true and vivid descriptions, can never be 

 beaten), that I cannot help borrowing it, believing fully it will find 



