vi. Preface. 



study of old numbers of the Sporting Magazine, and Messrs. 

 A. J. Edwards and R. B. Colvin liave posted us up as to 

 Hunt Race Meetings, and other matters of interest. 



Mr. \V. C. A. Blew has brought his copious hunting lore 

 to aid in the revision of our proof sheets, and the editors of the 

 Essex County Chronicle, the Woodford Times, the Field, 

 and the COUNTY Gentleman, have courteously acceded to our 

 requests for information. 



For our illustrations we are indebted to paintings, engravings, 

 and photographs furnished by the Countess of Warwick, Lady 

 Alice Archer Houblon, Mrs. Vigne, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Waters, 

 Miss Treadwell (daughter of Mr. Henley Greaves's famous hunts- 

 man). Sir Walter Gilbey, and Messrs. John Gurney Pelly, Guy 

 Gilbey, and Wm. Oddy. Amateur photography has been success- 

 fully brought into service by Mr. Arthur Bowlby, Mr. Walter 

 Gold, and Mr. Adams. 



P'rom the materials thus furnished, combined with those 

 obtainable from sporting publications, particularly Colonel John 

 Cook's "Observations on Foxhunting," and Baily's M.^GAZINE, 

 we have endeavoured to compile and illustrate a readable 

 narrative. Our task has been carried out in raonients of scanty 

 leisure, and we cannot claim completeness for the result, but if 

 we are held to have dealt worthily with our subject we shall be 

 amply repaid for the time given to investigations, which have 

 been to us a labour of love. 



