PREFACE. Vll 



the abrupt style which this very abridgment 

 occasions, as well as for the author having 

 been so generally obliged to write in the first 

 person. Dictatorial, however, as may appear 

 the one, and egotistical as may be thought the 

 other, yet it is presumed, that his colloquial 

 style may not be objected to, when all circum- 

 stances are considered, by those persons who 

 are most able to criticise, and who are inva- 

 riably the most liberal judges. 



Some apology too may be necessary for 

 neglect of that ceremony, which the public 

 have a right to expect from every author. 

 But, while occupied in forming this work, it 

 must candidly be confessed, that the writer 

 could not divest himself of feeling rather as 

 one conversing, without reserve, among his 

 brother sportsmen, than as an author, whose 

 work was going before a public tribunal. 



The summit of his ambition, therefore, will 

 be, to give some little additional knowledge 

 to those for whom the work is intended ; and 



