SPORTSMAN'S PHILOSOPHY. 119 



This is the exact thing for you, and I pray you not to 

 omit the nymph with the sweet song. 



After all, we doubt not your resolution to attack the 

 stag, or any other fierce animal, for we have had a very 

 high opinion of the courage of a well-fed man ever since 

 we heard the story that Wilkes delighted to tell of 

 Alderman Sawbridge, which, for your satisfaction, we will 

 recount. 



The Alderman was induced to go a-huntiug, a sport that 

 was novel to him ; and having some sort of indistinct idea 

 that danger was connected with it, he went forth in the 

 uniform of the city train bands, to which he belonged. 

 Being told that the hare was coming his way, he boldly 

 laid his hand on the hilt of his sword, and replied, with 

 perfect self-possession, " Is he sir ? let him come ! " 



And now a word of advice to your well qualified sports- 

 man I beseech you, good sir, to bear bad weather and 

 inauspicious winds with irnperturbed philosophy. When 

 the adverse day comes, as come it will ; when the dark 

 clouds gather round your desolate cottage, and the rain 

 comes lashing and hissing along the moor, and the heather 

 is uprooted by the blast, do not give way to despondency ; 

 but rest your toil-worn limbs, and be thankful that you 

 have fire and shelter. Sit you down with your hand in 

 your mantle (that is, your plaid), with the composed 

 dignity of Aristides. 



It is totally unavailing to look sulky, and to pace up and 

 down the room, exclaiming at every step you take, What 

 horrid weather ! how very provoking ! I never knew this 

 sort of thing have the least effect upon the elements : betray 

 not, I beseech you, the impotency of Xerxes, but fall back 

 upon your resources. Read some amusing or instructive 

 book, or if a book is apt to draw you to sleep (as it does 

 full many a sportsman), get a piece of canvas nicely 

 prepared by Mr. Browne of High Holborn, and paint your 

 men and your dogs if you can ; if you cannot, why then 

 clean the locks of your rifles, sort your fishing tackle, and 

 make flies ; or if you are of a self-complacent character, 

 you may summon your hill-men, and make it out, not in 

 direct terms (you know how to manage it, I dare say), but 



