INTRODUCTION. Xlll 



his style correspond with his subject. If it be a 

 light one, a regular didactic style might lead to 

 the supposition that the author attaches too 

 much importance to his own work ; if in nar - 

 rating a simple tale, an author adopts a florid 

 style, he spoils his work ; he makes that ridiculous 

 which in simple language would, perhaps, have 

 been touching and interesting. 



Under such impressions I considered the sub- 

 jects of this book could not be discussed in a too 

 unaffected or familiar style ; and hence I address 

 what I say to a Friend instead of the Public. 



I had, however, another motive. I considered 

 that to bring forward cases that, with small un- 

 important alterations, actually occurred, would 

 enable the Reader to form his judgment from 

 them; my own might very probably err: but 

 the cases as I have stated them are correct. 

 If, therefore, the Reader should form erroneous 

 opinions from them, I shall not be liable to the 

 charge of having misled him. 



The friend alluded to, and for whom I once 

 penned many sheets similar in matter to the 

 present, was for many years well-known both 

 to the fashionable and sporting world. He is 

 gone, but his memory will live long after the 

 Author of these pages will have been forgotten. 



H. H. 



