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PREFACE. 



IN publishing the following Memoir of the Kilkenny 

 Hunt the Compiler is fully conscious of its short- 

 comings and imperfections ; and were it not that 

 he felt that in the centenary year of its existence 

 some record of its life had become due, he would 

 not have attempted the task at all. Many diffi- 

 culties have beset him in carrying it out. Had 

 an attempt been made to write it ten years since, 

 these would have been considerably less ; for not 

 only have all the older members of the Hunt, who 

 might have communicated much of what they had 

 experienced themselves, and what had been related 

 to them by some of the original members, passed 

 away some within recent years but many of the 

 written records which were in the family of the 

 founder have disappeared. The Compiler has, 

 therefore, had to rely much upon his remembrance 

 of facts related to him many years since, and upon 

 the kindness of a fc\v friends, who gave him such 



