2 8 SPORTS AND ANECDOTES. 



and quite first, as he thought he ought to. be, he 

 became disquieted in mind. The fire within his 

 clerical breast on such occasions would kindle, and 

 he would ride over the hounds, his dearest friend, or 

 even over a factory, should such an obstacle come 

 in his way. In shooting he was pretty much of the 

 same temperament, and always was on the look out 

 for the main chance, sidling up to the dogs when 

 pointing, in such a way as to get the best chance at 

 the covey when it rose, and upon such an occasion he 

 would not be very particular about shooting across his 

 companion, and what was called " taking your bird " 

 or "taking your shot;" he was sometimes, though not 

 often, pricked in his conscience, and, when the case 

 was too palpable, might be heard to say " I hope I 

 did not shoot across you," or some such guilty ebulli- 

 tion of feeling, but he generally felt that he was a 

 privileged person, and from being a parson might do 

 pretty much as he liked. He was more frequently 

 than otherwise a good shot, and from this fact, and 

 the fact of being extremely jealous, or what he 

 himself denominated very fond of shooting, he was 

 oftentimes a very great nuisance. 



He was wont to be a very good fellow at heart, in 

 spite of all his shooting and hunting keenness, and 



