vi Foreword 



an anthology on hunting makes a wide appeal to 

 all lovers of sport. From the earliest days in 

 England hunting, in one form or another, has been 

 pursued with zest by all classes and conditions of 

 men. In spite of what its enemies may suggest it 

 has never been a rich man's preserve, the common 

 people of the country-side have always enjoyed the 

 sport. There is no more characteristic English 

 scene than the sight of the red coats of the Hunt 

 and the glory of the gallant pack on some wonderful 

 scenting day when Reynard is afoot. 



It is interesting to notice that one of the most 

 vigorous and successful long narrative poems of 

 recent years is concerned with the Chase, Mr. John 

 Masefield's Reynard the Fox^ possibly the most 

 authentic utterance on the subject since Thomas 

 Smith's Life of a Fox, and remarkable for its vivid 

 colouring and zest of narrative. 



The purpose of this anthology is to present in 

 readable form a selection from Hunting Literature 

 past and present. Without sacrificing fidelity to 

 the essentials of the sport, it has been sought to 

 maintain a certain standard of literary excellence in 

 the prose passages and poems chosen. 



Buried among the works of long-forgotten authors 

 are to be found many pen-pictures of great charm 

 and beauty of expression ; it has been part of the 

 editor's task to discover such passages. In this 

 connection he would call attention to the writings 

 of Thomas Miller, a busy author of the early and 

 middle nineteenth century, whose many novels, 

 poems, and nature studies are now almost entirely 

 forgotten. Several passages from his writings are to 

 be found here. It is to be noticed that in charm 

 and power they compare favourably with work by 

 writers of greater fame. No apology is needed for 



