Preface. 



In presenting the following pages to the reader, my chief 

 desire has been to preserve the hunting records of a 

 sporting country and Hunt ; which, although itself of no 

 great antiquity, claims parentage from that famous Hunt, 

 " The Raby." I have been admonished that there is little 

 anecdote to be found in the book. There is not much. 

 There are always lots of anecdotes afloat in any hunting 

 field (and I have plenty of them). But it takes two people 

 to make the anecdote, the one who scores, and the one 

 scored off. Lest by any chance I should hurt the feelings 

 of any connected with the latter section, I have decided to 

 steer clear of the thorny path of "Anecdote," and have, 

 with very few exceptions, entirely devoted myself to matters 

 which solely appertain to hunting. As I have worked along 

 from 1832 to the present date (only 75 years) it is sad to 

 realize how quickly the hunting lore of a country dies out. 

 Few who hunt regularly, keep diaries ; and farmers and 

 others who remember details soon drop away, making it 

 most difficult to obtain authentic information. I desire to 

 offer my most sincere thanks to all who have assisted me 

 in my venture ; by the loan of hunting diaries, accounts of 

 runs, photographs, and various miscellaneous information. 



One word to my hunting friends. Should the sale of 

 the book more than cover the actual cost of production, 

 I propose to hand all further proceeds to the Hunt 

 Servants Benefit Society ; for the early Pension Fund — 

 in my opinion a most needed and worthy object. 



F. H. R. 

 Camp Hill, Bedale, 

 igo8. 



