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CHAPTER VIII. 

 Mr. Fox as a Horseman and Coachman. 



' Here's to the arm that can hold 'em when gone, 

 Still to a gallop inclined, Sir! 

 Heads in the front, with no bearing-reins on, 

 Tails with no cruppers behind, Sir! 

 Let the steam pot 

 Hiss till it's hot ; 

 Give me the speed of tlie Tantivy Trot.' 



Egcrtoii IVarburfim . 



Mr. Fox was a thorough horseman In the best sense of the 

 word. He thoroughly understood all the details of the stable 

 as well as of the kennel, and I have heard him tell how, 

 when a boy, and hunting on his rough -coated pony, — for in 

 his early days it will be remembered that clipping was only 

 in its infancy, — his father insisted on him 'dressing' the pony 

 himself when he came in from hunting, and used to watch 

 the operation, seated on the corn-bin, to see that it was done 

 properly. Mr. Fox held that it was the right way to train 

 a lad to be a sportsman, and I think there is no one of 

 experience who will not agree with him No milk-and-water 

 sportsman was he, and he was justly severe against some of 

 the modern methods which prevail. ' How many men are 

 ' there in this big field,' he once asked, ' who could attend 

 'to their horse, and make him comfortable after a hard day, 



