in the sports of the field, he is the dispenser of good to those around him; while the performance of the sterner duties of life is happily relieved by those several exhilarating amusements which are in accordance with his station, and always at his disposal.

He may possibly have been roughing it on the moors after grouse and ptarmigan, and proved his unerring shot by the weight of his bag, and the several welcome presents to his neighbours and friends at home. Behold him, after this trying interlude, ranging over the September stubbles at home, in pursuit of his beautiful favourites. The severity of the former vocation has rendered that of the latter comparatively easy, yet not the less pleasant and gratifying; and his shot is so well directed that, always avoiding indiscriminate slaughter, he picks out his birds, right and left, without wounding the other members of the full covey, and thus preserves a stock for another season. If, from time to time, hare or rabbit crosses his path, he exercises the same proper rule, and thus increases his pleasures by never violating the laws of moderation and propriety. With regard to the preservation of game, he is guided by the same convictions. He avoids the course of what is termed "over-preserving," because he knows the truth of the remark-" more preserving, more poaching," besides the great injury inflicted upon his tenants. So, on the other hand, he abhors the fashionable battue, for its indiscriminate slaughter and inevitable cruelty, which, in his estimation, is wholly unjustifiable.

Behold him, also, accompanied by an old college friend, perhaps, or gallant comrade once belonging to the same arm of the public service, in pursuit of the pheasant, and especially of the cock. Why, even his beautiful and untiring springers are animated with a most joyous spirit, and eager to be the generous coadjutors in the diversion. What feelings of delight fill the bosom, on entering the splendid October woods! The long-drawn "ridings," stretching far away till narrowed in the distance almost to a sharp point; the many sidepaths, intricate and silent, but inviting and delightful; the rising ground, where his magnificent oaks-the monarchs of the sylvan realm-overlook the whole scene; the peaceful hollows, where snugness is combined with security; the dense slopes, where the fox has formed his "earth," and where the stealthy footsteps of the minions. of the moon are distinctly visible; the carrion-crow, ever watchful, perched on some high branch, and giving notice of whatever is astir; the raven, with his ominous croak, soaring in circles high over head; the flutter of the wood-pigeons, shy and watchful; and the merry shout of the woodpecker, far, far away in the long distance, amid the dense and variegated foliage-these objects, sights, and sounds are the faithful administrants of a scene peculiarly English in its character, and redolent of the pleasantest enjoyments and associations. But the "cockle" of the pheasant is music to the ear, as the most beautiful of all English birds is delightful to the eye. What elasticity in his step! what dignity in his bearing! what splendour in his plumage! Why, he almost hesitates to level the gun, and pull the trigger. Yet he is moderate in his desires, and careful in his selection. Should there be too many male birds, in comparison with the females, the former are thinned; but with a proper discrimination as to the rela

tive numbers; so that the colony, instead of being exterminated, is preserved from season to season. Suddenly the intimation from the keeper, "Mark, cock!" arrests immediate attention, and the first "flush "is hailed with delight. The little springers are aware of the sound, and pursue their game with increased spirit and activity. Steadily advancing, the spot is approached, and instead of one, as had been expected, two burst upon the wing. "Bang! bang!" from each gun resounds through the sylvan realm; and the dappled favourites fall before the unerring aim. These add to the bags already pretty well filled, and thus crown the day's diversion in the most gratifying manner, without going to those excesses which too frequently mark the proceedings of the rash, and what are termed the fashionable gunners;" especially that portion of them which, condemning the wholesale slaughter of the pot-hunter, is still loath to restrain their hands from the commission of the same deeds, and the manifestation of the same propensities, though not actuated by the same motives. Not so the owner of the estate-the true lover of the sports of the field.

Thus, accompanied by his old associate, the course is directed homewards with cheerful feelings. The sun, perhaps, is descending to the west, and his slanting beams throw an additional splendour on the many-hued robe of the woods-saffron, and crimson and gold, making a stronger contrast with the dark green of the Scotch fir, and the sober russet of the beech; while the tall pine stands as a sentinel over all, and the solemn yew assumes the duties of watch and ward. The pleasures of the day's diversion are increased by this splendid evening picture. And as the scenes among which we have passed our youthful days retain an influence over every period of our existence, the country gentleman, not disregarding even common things, may be excused in lingering for a moment to behold the scene which is thus spread before him. In the evening, the social board is boundtifully spread, and the conversation assumes the happiest tone, and becomes further enlivened with the pleasant recollections of the day. The words of acrimony and sarcasın are never heard, and venom and invective are banished and unknown. Pelopidas regards his friend with increased affection, and both become, if possible, more closely united. Wit, pleasantry, fancy, and imagination perform their parts in harmonious communion; and health and hilarity are the attendant ministers and true friends of all. So that as nothing is left to be desired for the present, the future is full of hope, of confidence, and of joy.

Behold him, likewise, at his own cover-side on the day of the "meet." He may not be the owner or master, but a true follower of hounds. The high estimation in which he is held is apparent on all hands. The ladies who grace the scene by their presence in their carriages bow to him in cordial recognition, which he courteously acknowledges. The hearty shake of the hand with friend after friend evinces the esteem in which he is held. Even the huntsman and whips pay to him the respect due to his character and position. He may not keep a pack in his own kennels; but is anxious for the preservation of foxes, in order that his friends may experience no disappointment or mortification. He disregards the assertion that they

eat up his game, because he can afford to make a little sacrifice; and although he may be bored by his keepers as to the destruction which they are said to make, he turns a deaf ear to their complaints, for he knows perfectly well that so long as there is at hand a good supply of rabbits for their commissariat, his foxes will not travel far for their food; and if, on the one hand, they should become too numerous, an intimation of the circumstance to the manager of the pack will be immediately attended to, by appointing more frequent meets at the required spot; so, on the other, he will discharge the guardians of his own preserves, if they are found guilty of their wanton destruction. He is, indeed, more delighted at the praise which he receives from the true follower of hounds for his well-managed woods, and the certainty of a run, than mortified at any inconvenience in the proper preservation of the objects of pursuit. When, therefore, the hounds are cast into cover, with a brilliant field at hand, and he joins the joyous party, what delight fills his bosom, as he hears the leading hounds give mouth; marks the alacrity of the huntsman in laying on the pack; listens to the words, "Broke cover!" "Gone away!" with the whole field in motion, and certain of a glorious run; highly delighted himself, at the same time, that his own estate is thus contributing to the pleasure and gratification of his many friends!

Nor, when health and strength permit, does the country gentleman shrink from the performance of the sterner duties of life; as a magistrate on the bench, administering the law against those who violate. its provisions, vindicating the innocent against the infliction of wrong, and protecting the oppressed against the injustice of the oppressor. As a public functionary, or the chairman of public institutions, whether for charitable or for useful purposes-whether as a trustee of benevolent bequests, or as a director of a public company-he performs his part vigilantly, discriminately, and efficiently; and thus adds to the brilliancy of his private reputation by devoting his talent, experience, and influence for the benefit of the public. Nor, too, if he is called upon to take a seat in the Legislature, shrinks he from the higher position of influencing the good fortunes of his country.

In

To the management of his own estate he devotes especial attention. He is a friend to his tenantry, as well as the lord of the manor. all emergencies his advice is cheerfully given; and as he brings every requirement, every change, and every difficulty to the unerring test of truth, justice, and propriety, he is enabled to place his dependents, as well as himself, in that attitude which is calculated to be attended with the largest measure of good; capable of meeting future contingencies, and providing for any change which, in these days of progress, may possibly arise.

Thus, the due appreciation of the character of the English country gentleman, in the full acceptation of the term, sanctions the truth of the expression of Lord John Russell, that such a man, in such a condition, is most fortunate.

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"IN SMOOTH WATER."

ENGRAVED BY J. WESTLEY, FROM A PAINTING BY J. WILLIAMS. (With Notices of" The Book of the Axe," and "Recollections of a Flyfisher.")

A sportsman is generally "somebody." The majority, at any rate, of our national pastimes go to make, if not always a hero, at least a great man of him. Look at the turfite, for instance, the owner of a Derby favourite, for a great man, or his own jockey in a hunter's stake for a hero, and remember how ready we are to give our tribute to him. Or come to the window, and take a peep at Nimrod as he returns slowly down the street on his beaten nag, and notice the general respect and admiration paid to that well-worn bit of pink. Or welcome, again, Ramrod, as he unpacks his dog-cart at the door of the village inn, and follow, as everybody else is sure to, each successive move in the rather fussy prologue with which he precedes going to work. It is a delightful combination of character, the hero and the grandee rolled up into one, with every good wish attending our progress. If it has been a bit of a clipper, how every eye lights up as you go through the run again; or should old Carmine have managed to pull through for the handicap, what hearty congratulation is poured into the lap of that estimable individual the worthy owner!" As to the crack shot, if he wants to be assured of the sympathy which awaits his prowess, let him look on Landseer's picture of Windsor Castle in the present time-the Prince counting over the strength of his game-bag to her Majesty. Who wouldn't be a sportsman, little or big, with such incentives for the making of one?

And yet it is not every variety of sport that insures this kind of worship. We would not deny that the cricketer, travelling with his bat in a green baize case, has his share of it; or would we attempt to dispute, either, the claims of the king-fisher, who throws his fly to the hundredth part of an iuch, and kills his salmon with the finest of tackle. He is a hero if you please, especially in his own book. Look however, on his hardly-acknowledged brother of the angle, the humble bottom-fisher, and in vain you listen for that general applause which so surely attends the dashing exploits of some other varieties of the British sportsman. Remember, rather, how we are prone to ridicule that patience with which he holds up against an unpropitious fate, bearing down upon him, in an awkward breeze, or in some yet more vexatious, or less palpable impediment to that great consummation, a bite."

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With the ornaments for your fire-stoves," indignantly thrust aside, as something very like impostors, and a chair drawn, close up to the grate, one scarcely envies the recumbent gentleman watching a float, or following the fashion and preparing for a "strike." strike." Another turn of the weathercock, however, may bring us into our proper reckoning again, and so give more countenance to a couple of volumes, which tend to assure us that our plate should be apropos, and the angler's art just now in high season.

The more important of these is from the pen of a gentleman, who has already given us a taste of his experience as a fishermen: Mr. Pulman, who owns to "The Vade Mecum of Fly-Fishing,"