A SEPTEMBER GALLOP 



" If we be forbidden . . . we'll fall to't." 



— i Henry VI. 

 "And riots wanton in forbidden fields." 



— Burns. 



Why is it, I wonder, that we always revel in 

 forbidden joys? Sport with just a trifle of 

 mischief in it — just the least little bit against the 

 strict proprieties, has always an attraction for an 

 Englishman. I remember with greater delight 

 two little poaching adventures — strictly on my 

 own place be it understood — than all the good 

 day's shooting on moor and in covert that have 

 fallen to my lot. It was not that we got so very 

 much by our very mild breach of the law — it 

 was the spirit of adventure that gave the charm. 

 So the partridge brought down smartly on the 

 evening of 31st August when one is taking an 

 evening stroll with the gun to get a couple of 

 rabbits is a joy for ever. There is no intention of 



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