286 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



not a matter to dogmatise about. Mr. Meynell, we 

 know, carried tincture of rhubarb, and I have known 

 a flask to hold extract of meat or beef tea of some 

 kind. Most people, I think, carry whisky and water ; 

 a few whisky and soda. I have heard of, but never 

 seen, cherry brandy or sloe gin, and for my own part 

 I think a light, sound port is the best and most sus- 

 taining liquid : a few sips in the middle of the day, 

 and the rest to encourage you to smoke on your way 

 home. I believe that almost every one is better for 

 something to eat and drink in the middle of the day, 

 and I think that both the Goodalls shortened their 

 lives by their habit of not taking lunch. 



It is most important for a man who wishes to enjoy 

 sport in the grass countries to the full to keep fit. 

 Without going into any rigours of training, the 

 strictest moderation and early hours are desirable. 

 Many horses are beaten because their riders are so 

 done that they cannot sit still in the saddle, and 

 many falls are occasioned by the unsteadiness of a 

 rider who is more than half blown when he has been 

 galloping for a quarter of an hour. There is not the 

 smallest doubt either that loss of condition is followed 

 rapidly by loss of nerve. A man who, after his first 

 youth is past, would keep his place in the front rank 

 must live to a certain extent by rule. 



There are, no doubt, as we shall be told, exceptions 

 to this, and indeed, so far as we are able to judge of 

 other men's lives, we see those who seem to ride as 

 well as ever, yet who, as the phrase goes, " do them- 

 selves well." This means not great excess, but a little 

 too much of everything. A little too much wine, 

 just a cigar more than is wise, or a little too much 

 food. If we are to trust the records of the past, our 

 forefathers drank a great deal of wine and yet rode 



