Preface ix 



and especially the "hunter," a debt of gratitude for many 

 a glorious hour in his company. 



The author is indebted to the artist Mr. J. Crawford 

 Wood for the very lifelike illustrations accompanying 

 these pages. Mr. Wood is one of the keenest hunting 

 men in the famous grass countries of England. He hunts 

 five days a week throughout the season, with such noted 

 packs as the Pytchley, Grafton, and North Warwickshire 

 hounds. Thanks are due also to Mr. Phillpotts Williams, 

 master and huntsman of the Melton harriers, near Salis- 

 bury, England, for kind permission to select from his 

 *' Rhymes in Red" and his '* Poems in Pink" the verses 

 which precede the several chapters of this work. They are 

 so full of the spirit and the true gospel of hunting that 

 they must be heartily welcomed. No author up to the 

 present day has been more generally quoted on all questions 

 concerning the science and art of fox-hunting. No less 

 is the indebtedness to the immortal Somerville, of whose 

 lines the author has made liberal use, although they were 

 written in 1735 and have long been out of print. The 

 odour of the woods and the spirit of the chase live in them 

 still, with the vigour of youth, the colour of autumn, and 

 the freshness of spring. 



In a work of this nature it has been found impossible to 

 avoid considerable repetition of thought. Besides, the book 

 has been a long time in pickle. Chapters or portions of 

 chapters have been added at long intervals, and the whole 

 has been compiled during "overtime" from other business 

 — on steam-cars, or at uncomfortable hotels, or on steam- 

 ships pitched about by winter seas. If it is well received 



