2 FOX-HUNTING 



but at the same time I hope to convey some 

 useful information to those who are not past 

 masters of the art. 



I am not going to travel the beaten track and 

 repeat the well-worn advice of previous writers : 

 if you want their opinions you must buy their 

 books. I write as things appear to me, giving 

 you my own ideas and impressions. When I 

 disagree with well-known authorities, I shall pro- 

 bably be in the wrong, but you must give me 

 the credit for an honest belief in my own con- 

 victions. I do not mean to infer that I am 

 starting an entirely new set of theories on hunting, 

 but what I write herein will be the outcome of 

 my own observation and reflection ; accepted 

 views will only be set down where they coincide 

 with my opinions. Not that I wish to constitute 

 myself an authority on hunting ; but I venture 

 to think that a book claiming to be an original 

 work should not be a crib from previous writers 

 on the subject. If you do not agree with me on 

 every point, I must beg you to be tolerant of a 

 very ordinary mortal, who is liable to err and 

 who may often look at things in the wrong light. 

 I give you my ideas and opinions for what they 



