PREFACE. 



I AM aware that many ideas and views ad- 

 vanced by me are at variance with those of other 

 writers, especially from an English standpoint, 

 but they are honestly given as seen, and practi- 

 cally experienced in the field and saddle during 

 a quarter of a century's riding to hounds. I have 

 also availed myself of the opportunity to discuss 

 many of the intricacies of the game through in- 

 tercourse, correspondence, and association with 

 some of the best known fox-hunters in the coun- 

 try, so this book can hardly be called a one man's 

 ideas. I make no pretense of being an authority 

 or past grand master of the art, but merely give 

 my observations, whether they coincide with 

 those of others, or not. 



The indulgence of the reader is solicited for 

 the crudeness of style, and plain method of writ- 

 ing. No attempt having been made to make this 

 a technical text-book, scientific or classical treat- 

 ise, but to make it as clear to the novice and be- 

 ginner as to the expert, I trust my efforts in this 

 line may not cause the average reader to say that 

 much more might have been entertainingly and 

 Instructively told in half as many pages. 



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