PREFACE. 



will not, when the shooting season arrives, find your- 

 selves in the position of " Mr. Leggins," so inimitably 

 depicted by Mr. Punch, who accompanied by his 

 myrmidons, and closely followed by a minute beater, 

 clasping to his bosom one partially fledged young 

 cock pheasant has to meet his noble employer at the 

 head of a large batch of expectant guests from the 

 Hall, all correctly got up and radiant with hopes of 

 an enormous slaughter, only to humiliate himself with 

 the remark, "The season has been that bad, my 

 Lord, this is the only bird as we have reared. Will 

 I put him up for your Lordship ? " 



