Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour

a first-class carriage emerged Mr. Sponge, in a 'down the road' coat, carrying a horse-sheet wrapper in his hand. So small and insignificant did the station

twenty hunters, soon undeceived him on that point. Having eased him of his wrapper, and inquired about his lu

e horses?'

own uncommon well, and I've had 'em both removed sin they com'd, s

e hounds?' as

ndmill,' replied Leather, 't

ountry is it?'

good deal o' water jumpin'; that is to say, the Liff

d Sponge, after a pause: 'he has size and stride e

ied Leather; 'only let the Latchf

ng-men down?' inquire

never believe all these jockeys say. There be some on 'em 'ere now,' observed Leather, in an undertone, with a

ge, looking about the

continued he, giving his master a touch in the ribs as he jerked his portm

uired Mr. Sp

blackguard as any in the place-lives upon Waffles, and yet never has a good word to say for him, no, nor for no one else-and yet to 'ear the little devil a-talkin' to him, you'd really fancy he b

any horses?'

nor the one in the coffee-coloured 'at, nor none on 'em in fact'; adding, 'they all live on Squire Waffles-breakfast with him-dine with

,' observed Mr. Sponge, thinkin

fare waiting elsewhere. Mr. Sponge directed him to proceed to the Brunswic

-key from his pocket, Mr. Leather opened the door, and having got his master in, speedily closed it, lest a breath of fresh air might intrude. Having lighted a lucifer, he turned on the gas, and exhibited t

say they are mine, you know,' at length obser

e,' repli

t their being jobs,' observed Sponge,

of his elbow against his master's side; 'you trust me,' repeat

eed,' continued Leather, lookin

served Mr. Spo

served Leather; 'some 'ere, some there, all over in fact, and that yo

quired Mr. Sponge, thinking his groom seeme

the Mutton Chop and Mealy Potato Club, which is frequented by flunkies as well as grums, that there's nothin' talked of at di

ponge, chuckling at the

had a game at fly loo for you,' continued Lea

' inquired

peated Leathe

his head. For onc

o the young ladies when they want to settle a point, who's to be married first, or who's to have the richest 'usband, play fly loo. 'Sposing it's at breakfast time, they all sit quiet and sober like round the table, lookin

number to extract any good from, Mr. Sponge cha

ns of the coachman-groom, Peter Leather. There is nothing sets men's backs up so readily, as a hint that any one is coming to take the 'shine' out of them across country. We have known the most deadly feuds engendered between partie

l try-shouldn't wonder if he's floored-awfully stiff country this for horses that are not used to it-most likely his are Leicestershire nags, use

ingey Thornton, 'there are

imed Mr. Spareneck, t

t, because he happens to come out of

claimed Mr.

ked Mr. Hoppey, now raising his voice for t

?' sneered M

re hunting-a dinner that, somehow, was served up in Mr. Waffles's rooms, who was allowed the privile

Waffles was always lauded and applauded to the skies-such a master-such a sportsman-such knowledge-such science-such a pattern-card. On this occasion the toast was received with extra enthusiasm, for the proposer, Mr. Caingey Thornton, who was desperately in want of a mount, after going the rounds of the old laudatory course, allude

easy as going best p

he thought it would be very odd if some of them could not take the shine out of him, observing that 'Brag' was a good dog, but 'Holdfast' was a better, with certain other sporting similes and phrases, all indicative of showing fight. The steam is soon got up after dinner, and as they were all of the same mind, and all agreed that a gross insult had been offered to the hunt

into what he knew would be distasteful to the old sportsman's feelings, namely, to substitute a 'drag' for the legitimate find and chase of the fox. Fox-hunting, though exciting and exhilarating at all times, except, perhaps, when the 'fallows are flying,' and the sportsman feels that in all probability, the further he goes the further he is left behind-Fox-hunting, we say, though exciting and exhilarating, does not, when the real truth is spoken, present such conveniences for neck-breaking, as peopl

unt cannot be depended upon for furnishing the necessary accommodation. A drag-hunt is quite a different thing. The drag can be made to any strength; enabling hounds to run as if they were tied to it, and can be trailed so as to bring in all the dangerous places in the country with a certain air of plausibility, enabling a man to look round and exclaim, as he crams at a bullfi