vi PREFACE. 



I feel that I shall not only be acquitted of flattery, 

 but have the world with me when I say that, apart 

 from the prestige attached to his illustrious position, to 

 no one could this work be more aptly dedicated than 

 to one who, in every hunting-field in which he has 

 appeared, has shone pre-eminent, as in all sports and 

 pursuits becoming English gentlemen, and I acknow- 

 ledge a just pride in the patronage of him who, with 

 the whole Royal Family, has established claims, no less 

 upon oar affections than our loyalty. 



Being unexpectedly called upon by the most enter- 

 prising of publishers, I have revised every page of the 

 volume issued thirty-five years since, chiefly for the 

 benefit of the rising generation of my own locality. I 

 regret that it is not in my power to render it any way 

 more attractive, than by favour of its readers it has 

 hitherto been held. 



If I may indulge in one flourish of my own trumpet, 

 I may boast that the practical utility of several dicta has 

 been most agreeably recognized. My old friend, Lord 

 George Paget (now Lieut. -General, possibly oblivious of 

 the fact), informed me that the price of the book, expen- 

 sive as was the first edition, was cheap to him ; one page 

 — containing advice as to the length of his boot-heel, pre- 

 venting pressure from the stirrup on the instep — having 

 more than repaid him. Another made no less recog- 

 nition of my advice as to the hind shoes of the horse, 

 by which he had, since reading it, escaped overreach. 

 One of the greatest compliments, and most highly ap- 



