PRE FA CE. ix 



correspondent was caused by the South African war. 

 In 1900, being then Lord Dunraven's secretary, he 

 helped to raise the Sharpshooters I.Y., and embarked 

 with the regiment as Quartermaster. 



This was work after his own heart, for he had 

 desired as a lad to join the Army, and had only 

 refrained, being the sole surviving son, in deference 

 to his mother's wishes ; and though on the march up 

 from Beira he met with a serious accident, it did 

 not prevent his earning in subsequent months the 

 title of " Fighting Hamilton." 



Not long after his return to England he began 

 the pages which follow. Especially interesting are 

 those in which he opens comparatively new ground 

 and describes the face of the country in ancient and 

 modern days ; the circumstances of the inhabitants at 

 various periods; and, turning to account the know- 

 ledge gained in Mr. Inskip's chambers, the effect of 

 the Forest Laws, and of the family quarrels and 

 lawsuits of the dwellers round the Moor. 



There is much on all these points that will attract 

 all those who care to know the conditions under which 

 their forefathers lived ; and the comparison of the 

 pace and characteristics of the old and the present 

 hounds will be acknowledged to be eminently sane 

 and judicious. 



But it all adds to one's regrets. The injury 

 received in South Africa prevented Hamilton seeing 

 as much of the sport as usual last year, but it did 

 not keep him out of the saddle, and there were very 



