He had not spent thirteen or fourteen years amongst men of all ranks and all nations, without having acquired a shrewd judgment, and a tolerable knowledge of mankind.
The conversation turned at once upon hunting, racing, steeple-chasing, billiards, bets, and the like.

It was evident that Howel, too, was well initiated into such matters.

Mr Rice Rice asked him when the question of the hounds was to be decided, and Howel said that kennels were in preparation, and that he hoped to have a first-rate pack by the winter.
There arose a dispute about a celebrated racer that Howel appeared to possess in London, and that was expected daily at Abertewey.

Howel declared his intention of letting her run at the Carmarthen races.
Captain Dancy, having heavy stakes on the mare, vowed it might disable her for the Derby, and words ran high; but Mr Deep interposed, and changed the subject to that of _rouge et noir_.
They sat over the dinner-table till nearly eleven o'clock, by which time they were all more or less exhilarated.

Howel's wines were good, his cellar was well stocked, and he was lavish of everything that might give him a reputation amongst the Welsh squires that surrounded him, many of whom still worshipped at the shrine of Bacchus.
When they joined the ladies, Owen thought the conversation was rather too loud and boisterous.