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A Novel.
"A BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK," "GWENDOLINE'S HARVEST," "CARLYON'S YEAR," "ONE
OF THE FAMILY," "WON—NOT WOOED," &c.
Had you lived in Breakneckshire twenty years ago, or even any where inthe Midlands, it would be superfluous to tell you of Carew of Crompton.Every body thereabout was acquainted with him either personally or byhearsay. You must almost certainly have known somebody who had had anadventure with that eccentric personage—one who had been ridden down byhim, for that mighty hunter never turned to the right hand nor to theleft for any man, nor paid attention to any rule of road; or one who,more fortunate, had been "cleared" by him on his famous black horseTrebizond, an animal only second to his master in the popular esteem.There are as many highly colored pictures of his performance of thisflying feat in existence as there are of "Dick Turpin clearing theTurnpikegate." Sometimes it is a small tradesman cowering down in hiscart among the calves, while the gallant Squire hurtles over him with a"Stoop your head, butcher." Sometimes it is a wagoner, reminding one ofCommodore Trunnion's involuntary deed of "derring-do," who, between twohigh banks, perceives with marked astonishment this portent flying overhimself and convoy. But, at all events, the thing was done; perhaps onmore than one occasion, and was allowed on all hands not only as a fact,but as characteristic of their sporting idol. It was "Carew all over,"or "Just like Carew."
This phrase was also applied to many other heroic actions. The idea of"keel-hauling," for instance, adapted from the nautical code, was saidto be practically enforced in the case of duns, attorneys, and otherobjectionable persons, in the lake at Crompton; while the administrationof pommelings to poachers and agriculturists generally, by the athleticSquire, was the theme of every tongue. These punishments, though severe,were much sought after by a certain class, the same to which thepurchased free and independent voter belongs, for the clenched fistinvariably became an open hand after it had done its work—a goldenointment, that is, was always applied after these inflictions, such ashealed all wounds.
Carew of Crompton might at one time have been member for the county, ifhe had pleased; but he desired no seat except in the saddle, or on thedriving-box. He showed such skill in riding, and with "the ribbons,"that some persons supposed that his talents must be very considerable inother matters, and affected to regret their misuse; there were reportsthat he knew Latin better than his own chaplain; and was, or had been,so diligent a student of Holy Writ, that he could give you chapter andverse for every thing. But it must be allowed that others were notwanting to whisper that these traits of scholarship were greatlyexaggerated, and that all the wonder lay in the fact that the Squireknew any thing of such matters at all; nay, a few even ventured toexpress their opinion that, but for his recklessness and his money,there was nothing more remarkable in Carew than in other spendthrifts;but this idea was never mooted within twenty miles of Crompton. The realtruth is, t