162 THE HUNTSMAN A EENEFACTOE. 



hounds may be, if he is not always so, a very 

 useful member of society. He may improve the 

 breed of horses by keeping a good thorough-bred 

 one for the use of the farmers ; live on good terms 

 with all his neighbours, which is perhaps more a 

 matter of choice than necessity ^ be given to hos- 

 pitality, promote the amusement of the ladies, by 

 patronising a hunt ball or two during the winter ; 

 afford recreation to half the country, if they are 

 disposed to partake of it ; set an example of pa- 

 tience and forbearance when every one is deter- 

 mined to try his temper in the field by riding over 

 his hounds and spoiling his sport ; and last, though 

 not least, by going with his household to church, 

 and not permitting his horses to be dressed on a 

 Sunday, evince his respect for religious observances. 

 This is not written in levity, but in sober serious- 

 ness ; for however simple I may be in some respects, 

 I have never been fool enough to despise or treat 

 lightly the ordinances of God. 



He who rightly estimates the blessings bestowed 

 upon him, health and strength, rank, wealth 

 or power, and above all, the mens sana in 

 corpore sano to enjoy them^ — will never be un- 

 mindful of his beneficent Creator, and will say 

 with the poet — 



