PREFACE. 



THIS little book owes its existence to what is 

 usually called an accident It came about in this 

 way. A gentleman, personally unknown to me, 

 himself an author, very kindly sent me a copy of 

 one of his works on a technical subject of interest 

 to me, and the fact of this book having reached 

 its sixth edition is a sufficient proof of its merits. 

 As some little return for this act of kindness, I 

 posted to him a bundle of the MS. memoranda 

 into which this book has developed. I acceded 

 to my friend's request to publish, and agreed to 

 furnish him with some additional copy, so as to 

 bring it up to date. 



If the public endorse my editor's opinion of this 

 crude attempt to amuse or interest some of them, 

 one more pleasure will have been added to those 

 enjoyed by one who is now far on his way to 

 complete an existence passed among three genera- 

 tions of fellow mortals of divers colours and 

 nationalities. 



The natural "camaraderie" of my brother 

 sportsmen induces me to hope that they at least 

 will treat my shortcomings leniently. 



