X Preface. 



should feel it a pleasing duty to record a word 

 of tribute to those who have been taken from us, 

 and of appreciation of those who are living. 



Haunted by the thought of the feebleness of 

 my attempt, I have done my best, hoping to take 

 shelter under the account of splendid Sport I am 

 able to place before my readers. 



A second reason is that I am not aware of any 

 trustworthy history of the Grafton Hunt being in 

 existence. I feel that the country may be proud 

 of a narrative, and I think that I am in possession 

 of more knowledge of that which has passed 

 during the last fifty years, than perhaps any 

 living man ; so I feel bound to write it. 



Another reason which I must state, is, that we 

 had for thirty years, in the country, a most skilful 

 huntsman, who gave great satisfaction to his 

 masters, in carrying out a most difficult office for 

 so many years, and leaving a record of sport that 

 — I may say with confidence — has never been 

 exceeded. Frank Beers commenced in the year 

 i860 to whip-in to Lord Southampton, two days 

 a week ; and to his father, George Beers, also 

 two days a week; and in 1862 he began hunting 



