CHAPTER VIII 



DISCRETION 



T T has been called the better part of valour, and 

 -■- doubtless, when wanting, the latter is as 

 likely to sustain irretrievable reverses as a ship 

 without a rudder, or a horse without a bridle. 

 The two should always travel together ; but it 

 appears to me that we meet the cautious brother 

 most frequently on our journey through life. 



In the chase, however, they seem to share their 

 presence impartially enough. Valour is very 

 much to the front at the covert side, and shows 

 again with great certainty after dinner ; but 

 discretion becomes paramount and almost ubi- 

 quitous when the hounds run, being called on 

 indeed to act for us in every field. Sometimes, 

 particularly when countries are blind early in 

 November, we abandon ourselves so entirely to 

 its guidance as little by little to lose all our self- 

 reliance, till at last we feel comfortable nowhere 

 but in the high road ; and most of us, I daresay, 

 can recall occasions on which we have been so 



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