PREFACE. 



The biographer of Paley tells us, that " the subject of an 

 author's first production usually discovers the natural bias 

 of his genius." That such is undoubtedly the case with 

 regard to the following pages, I think no one will for one 

 moment hesitate to admit ; and although the humbleness 

 of the theme may not claim entire exemption from the 

 ordeal of a critique, and at the same time, however weakly 

 the subject may have been handled, the author has this 

 earth of consolation to jly to, the consciousness of having 

 done his best to amuse, hoping also that this short treastise 

 may not be found totally devoid of practical information to 

 the rising generation of masters of hounds, to whom 

 " Notitia Venatica" is more particularly addressed. 



