MEMOIR vii 



out all sporting circles. His racy and pleasing style 

 hit the public taste. His knowledge was recognized as 

 eminently sound and practical, as opposed to mere 

 traditional usage or theory in all matters pertaining 

 to the hunter and the chase. His writings were not 

 those that emanate solely from the easy chair. They 

 were based on real experiences and on well-ascertained 

 facts. They were from one who knew what he was 

 writing about. As such they were presented to the 

 public, and as such were appreciated by them. There 

 is a charm of style about all his works, that specially 

 appeals to all lovers of the ancient and royal pastime 

 of fox-hunting. To them he is what Scott is to the 

 lovers of Romance, and Dickens to the wider lovers 

 of Humanity. Like them, too, he has had many 

 imitators, but none who succeeded in reaching his 

 high level of excellence. Many of his conclusions — 

 even with advancing knowledge — are as sound to-day, 

 as when they were given to the public. 



Letters on Hunting and kindred articles followed 

 from his pen in rapid succession. 



At 50 years of age, Mr Apperley rode for, and won 

 the Gold Cup at Dobberan. 



Afterwards he went over to France (1830) and took 

 up his abode at Calais, whence he contributed to 

 Fraser's Magazine, Sportsman, Morning Herald, etc., 

 and became one of the staff of the Sporting Review. 

 His article in the " British Encyclopaedia " is a testi- 

 mony to his great critical judgment and powers of 

 mind. In 1843 he returned to his native land, where 

 he died soon afterwards. 



