Foreword ,^> ^^ *£> 



THE Literature of Sport is a vast and ever- 

 increasing one. Unfortunately its quantity is 

 more apparent than its quality. Only here and 

 there does it happen that a trained writer with a 

 gift of literary expression turns his attention to 

 sporting literature. Especially is this true of books 

 on Hunting. If enthusiasm counted for perfection, 

 fine indeed would be the quality of its literature. 

 Alas ! enthusiasm for the hunting-field is too often 

 the only quality possessed by writers on the subject. 

 The unfortunate compiler is perforce reduced to 

 the task of wading through a mass of stodgy and 

 ephemeral writing, emulating the labours of Hercules 

 in order to search out the jewels of thought and 

 hidden beauties buried under much rubbish. 



Nevertheless this book has been a labour of love, 

 and many have been the discoveries made in some 

 quiet backwater of literature, many the friends 

 gained in the course of its compilation. For, in 

 spite of its frequent weakness and absence of charm, 

 the Literature of Hunting is full of quaint surprises. 

 Here a hunting squire is moved to unwonted 

 eloquence in praise of his favourite pastime ; there 

 a lady novelist, fresh from the conquest of the 

 great army of sentimental folk, depicts in glowing 

 colours the delights of the hunting-field. 



There is another and more powerful reason why 



