122 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



character as one who follows other pursuits less 

 manly and more enervating. ^^Taenever I hear 

 persons of either sex repeating stories unfavour- 

 able to the lovers of the chace, the following 

 lines always occur to mc, — 



" Believe not each aspersing tale, 

 As most weak people do ; 

 But ahvays think that stoiy false 

 Which ought not to be true." 



But I am " skirting " a little, you will no dovibt 

 say ; I told you before that my observations 

 would be desultory, and you to your cost find 

 them so ; however, you asked for them, and 

 must pay the penalty of patience for putting a 

 pen in my hand. 



To return, therefore, to the subject of accidents ; 

 those to our horses frequently arise from their 

 being out of condition, and too fat. We all know 

 it is not an uncommon thing for a horse to get 

 too full of flesh, and out of wind after long rest, 

 during frost, or from any other cause ; and 

 grooms will give their horse the usual allowance 

 of corn, hay, and water, ■\\ithout due attention 

 to their necessary exercise ; although in frost 

 you cannot gallop them, you may lengthen their 

 walks as much as you please, and at the same 

 time do not omit a dose of physic, or the conse- 



