FOX-HUNTING. 191 



nursing, and good luck, for many seasons in 

 the provinces, though he may not be good 

 enough for the crcme de la creme of the shires. 

 I get a good-looking horse, with blood, form, 

 and breeding, a bold and safe jumper, a fine 

 mover under you when on the turf (though 

 perhaps he might be a bit dicky on the road), 

 and all over a gentleman. Could I get carried 

 as well by buying a fifty pound horse, which 

 never was nor will be worth any more ? I think 

 not ; at all events, that is my opinion, after 

 many years' practice. 



I will give an illustration of another sort 

 of animal. Five-and-thirty years ago my 

 sister gave me a good-looking roan mare, 

 which had come into her possession under 

 peculiar circumstances, which it is not neces- 

 sary to mention here. She was about three 

 parts bred (by a well-known provincial horse 

 ♦called Shortwaist), and at the time I got her 

 about four years old, fifteen three in height, a 

 rare galloper, with very strong quarters, but 

 with short thick shoulders. These two last, 

 with her tremendously high courage and fiery 

 temperament (though perfectly good-tempered), 

 made her a dangerous animal to ride. She 



