CHRISTOPHER IN HIS SPORTING JACKET 



Fox-Hunting. The passion for this pastime is the 

 very strongest that can possess the heart — nor, of all 

 the heroes of antiquity, is there one to our imagina- 

 tion more poetical than Nimrod. His whole character 

 is given, and his whole history, in two words — Mighty 

 Hunter. That he hunted the fox is not probable; for 

 the sole aim and end of his existence was not to ex- 

 terminate — that would have been cutting his own 

 throat — but to thin man -devouring wild beasts — 

 the Pards — with Leo at their head. But in a land 

 like this, where not even a wolf has existed for cen- 

 turies — nor a wild boar — the same spirit that would 

 have driven the British youth on the tusk and paw 

 of the Lion and the Tiger, mounts them in scarlet 

 on such steeds as never neighed before the flood, nor 

 "summered high in bliss'' on the sloping pastures 

 of undeluged Ararat — and gathers them together in 

 gallant array on the edge of the cover, 



" When first the hunter's startling horn is heard 

 Upon the golden hills.'''' 



What a squadron of cavalry! What fiery eyes and 

 flaming nostrils — betokening with what ardent pas- 

 sion the noble animals will revel in the chase! Bay, 

 brown, black, dun, chestnut, sorrel, grey — of all 

 shades and hues — and every courser distinguished 

 by his own peculiar character of shape and form — 

 [41]' 



