'2\-2 THE HUNTING FIELD 



ties, hou' the emancipated mind bounds and revels in the 

 luxury of unrestricted countr}-. Now along the narrow valley, 

 now through the woody grove, now over the swelling hill, from 

 whose commanding height we see the shining river circling, 

 till the landscape runs itself into nothing in the distance. The 

 very horse seems to partake of the jo}- and inspiration of the 

 rider, and treads the ground with a light, blithesome step, that 

 as much as says, '" Why don't you hunt oftener ? " Diana, we 

 often think, favours the occasional sportsman. How often we 

 see brilliant runs on the \-erv days we most wish them — days 

 when strangers are out, or people have come a long way. 

 Truly, sportsmen are a happy race, the}' have much to be 

 thankful for, and little, verj' little, to complain of. Who has 

 not seen " splendid runs " on days when hunting appeared to 

 be almost out of the question ? Again, we often think that 

 men ride harder on occasional days, such as Lord E\ergreen is 

 now going to take, than they do in a regular four or fi\e days 

 a-week course of hunting. The extra excitement sends them 

 along. 



If it be true, as asserted b)- Dr. Johnson, that " the true 

 state of every nation is the state of common life," who is so 

 likely to be acquainted with the real wants and condition of a 

 country as a foxhunting nobleman ? He brings the experience 

 of other climates, and the benefits of education to bear upon 

 the absolute condition of the unexpecting, unprepared peasantry. 

 The foxhunter is the man of all others to get accurate informa- 

 tion, for he wanders about, without pomp or terror, and is 

 welcomed rather than avoided b\' any. Take your com- 

 missioner, with his solemn look, inky fingers or metallic- 

 pencilled note-book ; is he so likeh' to get a frank, candid 

 answer as the man whose whole manner and appearance 

 disarms both fear and suspicion, nay, inspires confidence, and 

 procures a ready answer to every question he may ask ? To 

 get at the real truth with some people, the only plan is to make 



