PREFACE. 



The following Sketches have already for the most part appeared 

 in the columns of The Field newspaper 3 the one entitled " Lost in 

 the Bush/' in the Intellectual Observer. Bv the kindness of the 

 editors of that newspaper and journal, the author has now gathered 

 them together into a volume, and presents tliem to his friends 

 as old acquaintances. He thinks it right to observe, that every 

 chapter in this book is strictly matter of fact, except the sketches 

 entitled '' My First Steeple Chaser," " The Trotter," " The Jibber," 

 "The Best Fourteen Hander in England," and "The Poacher j" 

 in which — (although events took place much as read, and in 

 which every character is drawn from life) — the author has, for 

 obvious reasons, deemed himself justified in mystifying names and 

 localities, and colouring plain facts. 



