12 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



who has been in the position of the imaginary 

 hero. 



Beckford has of course a place on his shelves ; all the 

 "Druid's" books are there, together with the "Science 

 of Fox-hunting " by Scrutator, " Horses and Hounds " 

 and "Recollections of a Fox-hunter" by the same 

 author, Cecil's "Hunting Tours,",^ and well-nigh in- 

 numerable " Hints on Breeding and Training," " Horse- 

 keepers' Guides," and other manuals of similar cha- 

 racter. " Handley Cross," " Mr. Sponge's Sporting 

 Tour," " Mr. Romford's Hounds," and the rest of 

 Mr. Surtees' books are the only novels allowed a place 

 in his library, with the exception of a couple of volumes 

 by the gallant writer whose verse is quoted above, 

 and a collection of sketches by the " Gentleman in 

 Black." 



Little need be said about the cut of Checkley's coat 

 and trousers, for everybody will at once understand that 

 the former is modelled after the severest order of hunt- 

 ing men's attire, and that the latter garments are cord 

 in material and tight in fit. Piles of Bell's Life con- 

 tinue to accumulate in the corner of his study, and of 

 illustrated papers the Sporting and Dramatic News is in 

 his estimation without a rival, the only weakness about 

 it being a tendency to give undue prominence to the 

 drama at the expense of sport. He wants, for instance, 

 more details of particular packs, and thinks that if 

 members of various hunts could be persuaded to send in 

 accounts of runs the journal would be perfect. 



