INTRODUCTION xix 



been to some extent caught by the auctioneer's flowery 

 descriptions of the nags, which, according to the man 

 who disposed of them, could do 'unting, 'acking, or 

 'arness, and carry a cavalry hofficer as well. 



But the most frequent inquiries are made with regard 

 to hunting localities and subscriptions, to say nothing 

 of such minor matters as dress and equipment ; and 

 the number of people who appear to be in doubt as to 

 who should and who should not go out in scarlet is 

 very great too ; and many of the would-be foxhunters 

 are almost as vague as the man who bought the 

 mineral-water nags with regard to the number of days 

 on which horses may hunt. In point of fact, there is 

 always a section of the community which is anxious to 

 begin hunting, but which hardly knows how to set 

 about it. It is, to a great extent, for these people that 

 the following pages have been written, for an attempt 

 has been made at pointing out under what conditions 

 hunting is carried on at the present day, and how and 

 where the beginner can try his luck in the field. 

 Something has also been said about his clothes, his 

 saddlery, his horses and stables, and a certain amount 

 of advice has been proffered to the novice ; but the 

 author has no wish to pose as an infallible authority, 

 and he would merely remark that what he has written 

 is the outcome of personal observation exercised over 

 a great number of years in a great number of countries. 



