TO MY GRANDCHILDREN. 



W7'oxton Abbey ^ 



September, 1900. 



When I had a bad fall in 1898 and was laid up a 

 long time, I put a little book together of the notes 

 I had made from my own observations and what I 

 had learned from experience while hunting the 

 hounds myself, and from the maxims of celebrated 

 old huntsmen with whom I had the advantage of 

 being acquainted. These notes are only intended 

 as headings to draw the attention of young sports- 

 men to what they ought to know and what they 

 ought not to forget. 



In a reduced form I had a few copies printed in 

 the early part of this year, but some of my friends 

 were kind enough to say it was too short, so I 

 have restored the original text, and I now dedicate 

 the little book to you, my dear grandchildren, 

 because I want you to grow up good country 

 gentlemen, doing your duty to your Sovereign, 

 your country and neighbours, rich and poor, and 

 fulfilling all the obligations of your station, and 

 versed in all those pursuits and occupations which 

 make a country life so pleasant and happy, when 

 you have leisure to follow them. Beckford says 



