PREFACE. 



SEVERAL of the Sketches, which go to compose the pre- 

 sent volume, have already been published under the signa- 

 tures of "PISCATOR" and "VENATOR." Their reception 

 has been so flattering, that the author has been induced 

 to republish them, and to enlarge the collection by the 

 addition of other Sketches, now for the first time given 

 to the public. 



Possibly he deceives himself, in thinking that the same 

 favor will be shown to the present collection, as was shown 

 to the " disjecta membra," when they severally appeared. 

 In commending a single picture one may happen to be 

 determined less by the skill of the artist than by the 

 novelty of the subject, or by some other adventitious cir- 

 cumstance an advantage that cannot avail him, if he 

 offers a whole gallery to your inspection. Here they 

 stand, however, and the public must decide upon them ! 



He owes an apology to the companions of his sports, for 

 the occasional introduction of their names. He has done 

 so, because it has pleased a number of those who have 

 read the published portion of these Sketches, to consider 

 them as ingenious fables, rather than truthful narratives 

 an error which could effectually be put at rest, only by 

 the publication of the true names of all the parties con- 

 cerned 



