THE PROVINCES 



they both come, an imperial crowner, and the 

 game is lost! 



Many of our provincial districts are also 

 calculated, from their very nature, to turn out 

 experienced sportsmen no less than accomplished 

 riders. In large woods, amongst secluded hills, 

 or wild tracts of moor intersected by impracticable 

 ravines, a lover of the chase is compelled by force 

 of circumstances to depend on his own eyes, ears, 

 and oreneral intellisfence for his amusement. 



He finds no young Rapid to pilot him over the 

 large places, if he means going ; no crafty band 

 of second-horsemen to guide him in safety to the 

 finish, if his ambition is satisfied with a distant 

 and occasional view of the stirring pageant ; no 

 convenient hand-gate in the corner, no friendly 

 bridge across the stream ; above all, no hurrying 

 cavalcade drawn out for miles, amongst which to 

 hide, and with whom pleasantly to compare notes 

 hereafter in those self-deceiving moments, when 



"Dined, o'er our claret, we talk of the merit, 

 Of every choice spirit that rode in the run. 

 But here the crowd, Sir, can talk just as loud, Sir, 

 As those who were forward enjoying the fun ! " 



No. In the provinces our young sportsman must 

 make up his mind to take his own part, to study 

 the coverts drawn, and find out for himself the 

 points where he can see, hear, and, so to speak, 

 command hounds till they go away ; must learn 



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