20 2 How I Became a Sportsmax. 



" Some years since," says the author of 

 Mr. Smith's ' Memoirs,' " when the Duke of 

 Welhngton was staying at Tedworth, Mr. 

 Smith communicated to the great captain 

 his notions respecting gun-boats. The Duke 

 listened, as he ahvays did, with attention to 

 Mr. Smith's suggestions, but gave no opinion 

 at the time respecting the subject of them. 

 Next morning, as they were walking on the 

 terrace after breakfast, the Duke said, ' I have 

 been thinking there is a good deal in what 

 you said last night about these gun-boats, 

 and I should advise your writing to the first 

 lord of the Admiralty,' which Mr. Smith did, 

 but received no answer. Some time after, 

 when walking down Regent Street, he met 

 the first lord, whom he knew personally, 

 and asked him in the course of conversation 

 if he had received his letter containing sug- 

 gestions for introducing gun-boats ? The 

 first lord replied, ' That he had, but that the 

 Admiralty could not pay attention to all the 

 recommendations made to them.' Upon this 

 Mr. Smith took off his ^ hat, and turning away 

 with a stately bow, observed, ' What his Grace 

 the Duke of Welhngton considered worthy 



