SPORTING CLERGYMAN 101 



various purposes to which he Avas adapted, whether for 

 draught or saddle, together with the proper treatment of 

 that noble and useful animal, to whatever purpose he 

 might be applied. The dog, too, came in for a share of 

 our colloquy, and my new friend evinced as much know- 

 ledge of the kennel as he had done of the stable, distinctly 

 pointing out the qualities of the various breeds, more par- 

 ticularly adverting to the difference between a pointer 

 and a setter, and the sort of country and shooting to which 

 each was best adapted. 



He was a man then advancing in years, but still of a 

 hale constitution ; of a compact frame, strong and active ; 

 of a pleasing countenance, and seemed formed by nature 

 for anything but a sedentary life. His benevolent aspect, 

 despite the vivid flash of his bright sparkling eye, would 

 have caused any one to differ from those who affirm that 

 the love of field sports is incompatible with the exercise 

 of the clerical office, or who think that the pursuit of a 

 sportsman interferes with the duty of a minister. 



Indeed, I had reason to surmise, a year or two after, 

 when we had become further acquainted, that the two 

 might be very well associated ; that the same keenness of 

 gaze that could descry a partridge or a hare at a distance, 

 could seek an object on which to leave impressions not 

 easily eradicated. 



This I witnessed one morning over our breakfast where 

 the coach stopped, when in company with my son, then a 

 lad about seventeen or eighteen years of age ; for, after 

 asking him two or three questions, he delivered a discourse 

 on the proper fulfilment of filial obligations, with all that 

 decision and earnestness of manner which is so necessary 



