PREFACE 



NO one who writes his own biography can escape 

 the charge of egotism. To deny it is futile. 



It has occurred to me on occasion during my 

 occupation in recording a few details and incidents 

 of my life, that after all it has been a very common 

 existence and in no way out of the ordinary general 

 farmer's life, and therefore why record it ? To be 

 truthful I could not deny myself the pleasure. 



It will, I hope, interest a few readers, and at the 

 same time may I express a further hope that no one 

 will bear me ill-will if I have inadvertently misdrawn 

 their true intentions. My first thought was to 

 write a few facts and features of the Cricklade Vale 

 Hunt, adding to it a broadcast talk on Farming and 

 Foxhunting given a year or so ago, and to put the 

 profits of the book to the Red Gross Agricultural 

 Fund. 



However, in taking counsel with my friend 

 Anthony Hurd, the idea has been expanded to 

 cover a wider field. 



During the pleasant occupation I have found 

 in writing these few incidents of my life, help 

 and advice has been ever at hand from my wife. 

 My secretary, Mrs. Butlin, has shown endurance 

 beyond praise. I shall venture to hope my friends, 



