French and English Hunting.—Our abbé writes me word that you were gone to Compiègne; I am very glad of it; other courts must form you for your own. He tells me, too, that you have left off riding at the manége; I have no objection to that, it takes up a great deal of the morning; and if you have got a genteel and firm seat on horseback, it is enough for you, now that tilts and tournaments are laid aside. I suppose you have hunted at Compiègne. The king's hunting there, I am told, is a fine sight. The French manner of hunting is gentlemanlike; ours is only for bumpkins and boobies. The poor beasts here are pursued and run down by much greater beasts than themselves; and the true British fox-hunter is most undoubtedly a species appropriated and peculiar to this country, which no other part of the globe produces. [June 30, 1751.]
Polite Affection.—Remember to bring your
mother some little presents; they need not be of
value, but only marks of your affection and duty for
one who has always been tenderly fond of you. You
may bring Lady Chesterfield a little Martin snuff-box,
of about five louis; and you need bring over no
other presents; you and I not wanting les petits présens
pour entretenir l'amitié. [July 8, 1751.]
Inattention.—Laziness of mind, or inattention,
