OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 121 



still Sanction hunting, and occasionally grace the 

 field with their presence. Although I confess they 

 appear more in their element in the drawing- 

 room or in Kensington Gardens, than in the 

 kennel or the field. Still I must say it looks 

 well, and shews a disposition to promote their 

 brother's or their husband's amusement, and in 

 consequence contributes much to domestic happi- 

 ness. This the wife will find is the surest " way 

 to keep him," and prevent the husband running 

 riot. A man naturally expects his wife to humour 

 him a little, and allow him occasionally to ride 

 his hobby, provided it be a rational one. 



A certain late great potentate, who was very 

 inimical to the chace, wished also to make it 

 appear " cruel, and no occupation for the mind." 

 The first of these ideas came with a bad grace 

 from this great man (but hunting was not his 

 taste) ; and as to the " occupation," I think I 

 may venture to affirm, if there be one out-of- 

 door amusement which employs the mind more 

 than another, it is fox-hunting ; and men of the 

 first rate abilities keep their hunters, and indulge 

 in this noble diversion. I have occasionally read 

 in the newspapers insinuations against fox-hvmters ; 

 for what reason I am at a loss to know ; I see 

 no just cause why a fox-hunter, if he conducts 

 himself as a gentleman, is not as respectable a 



