io8 Tally ho, 



was that, wliatever croakers may say, or persons hostile 

 to hunting may write, it has not as yet had any effect 

 on the popularity of the sport, and certainly has re- 

 sulted in no decrease in the value of hunters ; and 

 though railways have to some extent cut up the coun- 

 try in the Shires, I believe the sport will last for many 

 a long day yet, being an encouragement to the breeders 

 of horses, and leading to large consumption of agri- 

 cultural produce, to the benefit of the farmers; whilst 

 being one of the healthiest and manliest sports in the 

 world. During my visit to the Shires, I have seen 

 several men who have gone beyond the allotted space 

 of time, riding hard, and with judgment, well up to 

 the hounds; and, inquiring of one of them how he 

 had managed to retain so large a portion of the vigour 

 and nerve of his youthful days, he replied, "I always 

 live well, lie warm, and take plenty of exercise/^ 

 And I found, in practice, that by following his advice, 

 taking care that the dinners were light and the wine 

 dry — the quantity not to exceed one bottle — cham- 

 pagne for choice — and hunting as often as circum- 

 stances would allow, the result was a large increase of 

 animal spirits, a decided improvement in figure, a con- 

 siderable increase of muscle, and a strong determina- 

 tion to partake of the noble sport whenever opportunity 

 offers. 



