I think it was at one of those never-to-be-forgotten dinners at Egg's that, the talk having turned upon shooting experiences, Dickens said that the sudden rising of a cock-pheasant under one's nose was like a firework let off in that uncongenial locality. The following week Leech subjected Mr. Briggs to the startling experience so admirably recorded in the drawing which faces this page. [Illustration] For a further acquaintance with Mr. Briggs's performances on horseback, as well as his escapades with gun and fishing-rod, I must content myself with referring those curious on the matters to the pages of _Punch_, where they will find entertainment that is inexhaustible. CHAPTER III. MR. PERCIVAL LEIGH AND LEECH. In the death of Mr. Percival Leigh, which took place a short time ago, the last member of the original staff of _Punch_ passed away. Mr. Leigh never married, and died at a very advanced age. I frequently met him in society, where his refined and gentle manners, and his quaintly humorous conversation, were what might have been anticipated from the author of "Pips his Diary," the "Comic Grammars," and other contributions to the paper to which he was so long and so faithfully attached. From the days of their fellow-studentship at St. Bartholomew's (with a short interval), to the time of Leech's death, a firm friendship existed between these two distinguished men. Much alike in their sense of humour, they also resembled each other in numberless amiable qualities of heart and mind. Leigh's pen was as free from personality, and as conspicuous for the gentleness with which it dealt with folly, as Leech's pencil. In early and late days, when Leech was in trouble, Leigh's was the hand--amongst others--ever ready to help; and to those who can read between the lines in the paper which Mr. Leigh has contributed to this book, there will be little difficulty in discovering the "friend" who found purchasers for work that the producer was barred (in a double sense) from selling for himself. I see little or no reason for weakening my assertion that Leech arrived at his supreme eminence without any art education; for the slight mechanical knowledge of the art of drawing upon wood which he acquired from Mr. Orrin Smith, a wood-engraver, is no more worthy the name of art-teaching, than the few lessons in etching given to Leech by George Cruikshank can be called art-education. Following the example of Sir John Millais, Mr. Percival Leigh (to whom, it will be remembered, Millais recommended my predecessor, Mr. Evans, to apply) furnished the following remarks for this memoir.