TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 



THE EARL OF YARBOEOUGH. 



My Lord, 



The very great length of time — exceeding a century 

 and a half — that foxhounds have been kept without intermission 

 by your Lordship's ancestors; the fondness for the chase evinced 

 by yourself, together with the co-operation of a most wealthy, 

 influential tenantry, and that of other members of the Brocklesby 

 Hunt, has prompted me to solicit the honour of commending my 

 work to your Lordship's kind patronage. 



The gracious response of the Countess of Yarborough 

 to the request of the gentlemen connected with the Brocklesby 

 Hunt, for permission to offer for her Ladyship's acceptance a 

 portrait of herself in hunting costume, conveys the assurance 

 that foxhunting will continue to flourish at Brocklesby for even 

 a longer period than it has hitherto done. 



I cannot close this inadequate appeal to your Lordship's 

 favour without an apology for adopting my usual nom de plume, 

 but as it is known better in hunting circles than my own name, 

 and as I am personally recognised by the signature, 



I have the honour to be, 



My Lord, 

 Your most humble and devoted servant, 

 •' CECIL." 

 February, 1864. 



