Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-24

over fence, carrying away the top rail, which
when the top rail had been carried away, NJ
other man in the field would look at. Finding
the gate at the end OF one of the two parable
bridges locked, he leaped clear over both rail-
to the other bridge.
zone day, in hard frost, he persuaded {
master OF hounds with whom he was staying
just TO put the hounds into covert, and let then
find fox; aud, the fox being found, went away
with them, and had q hard run over the iror
ground--a spree the thought of which sets ones
teeth on edge. People were not astonished te
see him so straight over the most tremendous
places but they were surprised to see that he die
not even look round at the lead when he was
over. Though desperate rider, he was not 9
wild one, but, on the contrary, most judiclous
and gave his horse every chance. His hand was
unequalled, and horses which no one else could
manage were trac,able with him. he never
lost his temper with animals. His horse knew
it was useless to refuse with him, and one oi
them leapt with him into the middle of pond
which he had unconsciously ridden up TO, with
his head turned away, and which the horse
thought it his duty to take. His hounds hailed
his approach with JOY afar of, though he only
hunted aud never led them. He was absolute
master OF his craft and all that belonged to. it
and, what the Duke of Wellington was to other
English Generals, that was Assheton Smith to
other English huntsmen.
"Nor was he master of the sportsman's craft
alone. His strong sense and warm heart made
him in other ways useful man. He did great
deal Of good, real good, and in judicious way,
among the poor on his estates, especially among
the quarrymen on his great quarries in Wales
He saw the great fact that property is the root
OF social virtue, and gave each Of his men, as
far as he could, few acres OF waste land, which
they, OF course, turned into garden. He was
a builder of churches and OF schools, and the
clergymen of his parishes found his hand always
tree. He had q great turn for mechanical con-
trivances, and was great ship builder. He
even disputed with Mr.. Scott Russell the merit
OF having originated the wave line.' He is said
also to have been the first suggestor Of our fleet
OF gunboats. What it surprises us most to hear,
is that he was not without literature. Pope and
Horace were his favorites; he knew sEloise to
Abelard' by heart. He was also passionate
admirer OF Shakespeare, and fond ofrepeating the
speech Of Polonius, especially the lines {really
applicable to his own character)-sf afa
+ gTc isa1 To thine own self be true Ts9a
And it shall follow as the night the day, Ts.gs.
Thou canst not then be false TO any man.
"Where he picked up his Horace it is difficult
to say. He was at Eaton eleven years, but he
said he learned nothing there, and probably he
spoke the truth There was vein of religion
in him, which showed itself especially during
the suferings of his last illness, in frequent ex-
pressions OF resignation to the will of God. He
was regular church goer, and always what
ever the distance, on foot. Without setting up
for moralist, he discouraged gambling and de
bauchery in his sporting circle. z ase8 io
ga man who spoke to him jestingly of suicide
was told never to joke on such subject again.
Though rather selt-willed, he was unselfish, and
could not bear, when i'll, to disturb his servants
in the night. His heart was always easily
touched. He and his horse having been kindly
sheltered from the rain by the master of q
wretched hovel, he next day sent masons to
build the man a new house. A bill for f30O
was handed round in his presence, and offered
for ESQ He saw that the name of the unfortu-
nate drawer was that Of an old schoolf.llow, paid
H3OO to the holder, and threw the bill into the
fire. OF fcourse it is easy for wealth to play the
bene6cent CaIiph, but it was at least genuine
feeling in Assheton Smith. In politics, OF course,
be was a tory; and, as member of Parliament
of course he never spoke, but voted hard for bis
party. He would post up to London from his
place on the other side of Andover, for division
after days hunt"