Charles Kingsley in the Saddle. 51 



pelting down one of the sandy roads in the Eversley country 

 as if he formed part of his favourite cob, and bearing about 

 him an evidence of the intensest enjoyment ; well remember 

 also the comment of a Hampshire farmer after the rector 

 had cantered by : " Begad, if he hadn't been a parson he 

 would have been the stiffest cross-countryman in these" 

 parts." This was saying a good deal, for the huntsmen in 

 that district are no novices ; but it was true. 



Here, then, we have Kingsley photographed by himself 

 in the saddle, blown upon by the chilly March breeze, but 

 confident that he can always be warm if he chooses in that 

 Winter Garden to which he conducts us. On the way he 

 takes us into his confidence, and draws himself with that 

 wonderful power of language which characterized the author 

 of " Westward Ho ! " In addressing the friend to whom he 

 is explaining the secret of his happiness in " this monoto- 

 nous country-life," he reveals himself as heart and soul a 

 naturalist and a sportsman. The Westminster Canon could 

 tell you as much about birds, beasts and fishes, about trees 

 and flowers, and all that blooms under the sun, as any living 

 being, and his eye would kindle at the thought of how many 

 beauties the world has in store for those who turn their 

 inquiring gaze towards them. 



There is a perfect history in that strange title to his work 

 on the West India Islands — " At Last." For years he had 

 longed to be in the tropics, and then the time came when he 

 could shake himself free from his duties and set sail towards 

 the luxuriant islands of the western seas. Dean Stanley, 

 who understood Kingsley as man seldom understands man, 

 said truly, in his Westminster Abbey sermon in memory 

 of his departed friend, that in every pore he was alive and 

 awake to the beauties of Nature, and that his " eagle eye 

 Seemed to discern every shade and form of animal and 



