On his retirement from the hunting field in 1889, a sum 

 of £69 13s. 6d. was collected on his behalf in small 

 amounts from members of the hunt, friends, and tenant 

 farmers, with whom he was always a great favourite ; with 

 a portion of this (£38 13s. 4d.) he was made a free life 

 member of that admirable institution, the Hunt Servants' 

 Benefit Society, entitling him to a weekly allowance of 15/- 

 in case of illness or accident, and his family to £150 on his 

 death, and the remainder has been doled out to him 

 annually in sums of £2 at a time, or thereabouts ; the last 

 and final payment having just been made. 



Possibly this humble narrative may be the means of 

 continuing this dole for a few years longer, when its object 

 will have been fully attained. On the other hand, it may 

 prove disappointing to readers who expect something more 

 sensational ; but, whatever the result, it has at least 

 afforded infinite pleasure to the compiler, whose memory is 

 carried back so vividly to innumerable happy days spent in 

 the saddle in company of those good sportsmen to whom 

 reference is frequently made — some of them, alas, have 

 left our midst but the majority may still be found amongst 

 us, at any rate, in private life, whilst a goodly band yet 

 gathers by the covert side eager as in days gone by. 



The notes at bottom of pages throughout the book are 

 written by the author. 



