" WITH CRESSY's EDWARD CAN COMPARE." 337 



nothing less than a wolf or some outlying deer had 

 been found and shot. Presently out backed the baron, 

 then out backed the pointer, the former waving his 

 cap in triumph. The dog for the first time cocked 

 his stump, and gambolled and yelped in token of 

 his master's prowess. I got out, concluding I at 

 least, if not the driver also, was beckoned to, to help 

 bring up the quarry; but as the baron advanced 

 he flourished in his left hand, not, of course, a wolf 

 or deer, but a full-grown thrush. How did he 

 now expatiate on the unerringness of the shot ! how 

 did he describe and dilate on the nearness of the escape 

 of the bird! how many ^^ petits coqidns'' did he call 

 his favourite, who had, it seemed, disputed the 

 possession of the prize : and when in the fiacre again, 

 what a laying down the bird there was I wdiat caution 

 to the dog there was not to ruflle a feather! what 

 "fi donc's !" there were if he attempted to do so ; what 

 caresses when he did not ! " Well," soliloquised I, 

 " the true philosophy of life is to be hapjDy when we 

 can ; and as substantial occasions for being so occur 

 but rarely in this life, perhaps he who is made happy 

 by trifles acts the wisest part. The field of Cressy 

 might entitle an English prince to feel himself a hero 

 and a conqueror ; but why should a French baron 

 slaughter thousands, when he feels himself as great 

 through the mere instrumentality of a thrush and a 

 stump-tailed pointer ? " 



I have been led into this little digression from my 

 tale by my own reflection, as the baron was from his 

 progression by the thrush ; thus, on the score of 

 excuse, we stand on about equal terms. We will now 

 get on again ; and get we did to the baron's loge de 

 chasse^ or, par excellence^ chateau. Here we got out i 



VOL. II. Z 



