DISCRETION 



"Are you a hard rider?" asked an inquiring 

 lady of Mr. Jorrocks. 



'* The hardest in England," answered that face- 

 tious worthy, adding to himself, " I may say that, 

 for I never goes off the 'ard road if I can help it." 



Now, instead of following so cautious an 

 example, let us rather cast overboard a super- 

 fluity of discretion, that would debar us the post 

 of honour we are fain to occupy, retaining only 

 such a leavening of its virtue as will steer us 

 safely between the two extremes. While the 

 hounds are racing before us, with a good scent, 

 in an open country, let our gallant hunter be 

 freely urged by valour to the front, while at the 

 same time discretion holds him hard by the head, 

 lest a too inconsiderate daring should endanger 

 his rider's neck. 



If a man has the luck to be on a good timber- 

 jumper, now is the time to take advantage freely 

 of its confidential resources. If not pulled about, 

 and interfered with, a hunter that understands his 

 business leaps this kind of fence, so long as he is 

 fresh, with ease to himself and security to his 

 rider. He sees exactly what he has to do, and 

 need not rise an inch higher, nor fling himself an 

 inch farther than is absolutely necessary, whereas 

 a hedge induces him to make such exertions as 

 may cover the uncertainty it conceals. But, on 

 the other hand, the binder will usually bear 



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