250 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



We cared little for the elements ; they added, 

 perhaps, to our enjoyment, made us feel all the more 

 cosey, and appreciate more fully our host's good cheer. 



Such was the state of affairs, when the conversa- 

 tion I will now endeavour to relate commenced be- 

 tween my Kilkenny friend and myself. 



"Come," said he, "pass the decanter; the sherry 

 is dry ; and tell me how you are getting on with that 

 work of yours, which I heard you speak of, ' Irish 

 Sport and Sportsmen.' " 



" I am working at it ; but it is not easy to obtain 

 the desired information, and it is difficult to place the 

 histories of the different packs of hounds in readable 

 form, you know ; however, I won't ' bolt ;'' you may be 

 sure I will try at all events ; and if my work possesses 

 little merit, I can claim for myself at least the credit — 

 if any is due — of being the first to attempt the bring- 

 ing out of a book purporting to chronicle Irish, and 

 only Irish, sport. In offering it to the public, I am 

 not influenced by a desire to acquire literary notoriety, 

 and I hope the critics will be more merciful than just. 

 And I must ask you to give me what information you 

 can relative to the Kilkenny Hounds and country." 



" I shall be most happy; but, as I said before, try 

 a glass of sherry, or an S. and B., or, better still, a 

 tumbler of punch, 'twill oil the springs of conver- 

 sation." 



"I will, with pleasure; but, perhaps, I had better 

 get your stock of detail at some future time; you are 

 anxious to join the ladies I am sure, as I saw you 

 paying marked attention to one who is now under 

 your roof" 



" Oh ! no, my dear fellow; but I am one of those 



