vi PREFACE. 



with silent contempt on the " padding " of which 

 so-called " account of runs " mainly consists, the 

 writers whereof take in vain the names of a whole 

 county - side — themselves not knowing a lady or 

 gentleman in the shire — who talk familiarly about 

 huntsmen and whips as " Charley This," and " Bill 

 That," and degrade the fox by designating him as 

 " Reynard," " Charley," " Sly boots," &c., &c. 



This kind of " chatter " though vulgar, is harm- 

 less, and is only alluded to en imssant. 



Speaking in the first person, I have not aspired 

 to write any book, nor have I scribbled sensa- 

 tional nonsense for the public. I have only jotted 

 down the things I have heard from one of the 

 finest huntsmen that ever carried a horn, whose 

 only thought was with his hounds, whose horn was 

 only touched when required, and who, while he rode 

 well to the last, and boldly I believe in his former 

 years (but that was before my acquaintance with him) 

 looked upon his horse simply as a means of carrying 

 him up to the hounds, expecting, of course, to be 

 mounted on an animal capable of so doing while it 

 wanted little guidance from him. He never once 



