【英文原著类】Hunting Sketches(狩猎杂记).pdf

HOW TO RIDE TO HOUNDS
Hunting Sketches
by Anthony Trollope
1
HOW TO RIDE TO HOUNDS
THE MAN WHO HUNTS AND
DOESN'T LIKE IT.
It seems to be odd, at first sight, that there should be any such men as
these; but their name and number is legion. If we were to deduct from the
hunting-crowd farmers, and others who hunt because hunting is brought to
their door, of the remainder we should find that the "men who don't like it"
have the preponderance. It is pretty much the same, I think, with all
amusements. How many men go to balls, to races, to the theatre, how
many women to concerts and races, simply because it is the thing to do?
They have perhaps, a vague idea that they may ultimately find some joy in
the pastime; but, though they do the thing constantly, they never like it. Of
all such men, the hunting men are perhaps the most to be pitied.
They are easily recognized by any one who cares to scrutinize the men
around him in the hunting field. It is not to be supposed that all those who,
mon parlance, do not ride, are to be included among the number of
hunting men who don't like it. Many a man who sticks constantly to the
roads and lines of gates, who, from principle, never looks at a fence, is
much attached to hunting. Some of those who have borne great names as
Nimrods in our hunting annals would as life have led a forlorn- hope as
put a horse at a flight of hurdles. But they, too, are known; and though the
nature of their delight is a mystery to straight-going men, it is manifest
enough, that they do like it. Their theory of hunting is at any rate plain.
They have an acknowledged system, and know what they are doing. But
the men who don't like it, have no system, and never know distinctly what
is their own aim. During some portion of their career monly try
to ride hard, and sometimes for a while they will eed. In short spurts,
while the cherry-brandy prevails, they often have small esses; but
even with the assistance of a spur in the