viii PREFACE. 



appeared to his mind, I determined on sending the 

 papers forth in a book. I hope that some of their 

 old friends will welcome them, and that they may 

 meet with new friends in their new shape. 



A few words about the papers themselves. They are 

 for the most part sketches from life with embellish- 

 ments ; but in only two or three instances do the names 

 given to the characters point in the slightest degree to 

 their real identity. Some of the "Sketches" are 

 records of more or less eventful days with the hounds. 

 Most of the anecdotes related are matters of fact. 



I have to return thanks to the Editor of the Standard 

 and to the Proprietor of the Illustrated Sporting and 

 Dramatic News^ for permission to republish what has 

 appeared in the columns of their journals. 



I will not venture to say that I trust those who take 

 up this volume may enjoy reading, as much as I have 

 enjoyed writing, these reminiscences. I will only hope 

 that they may now and then in imagination be suffi- 

 ciently interested to gallop over a few fields with me, 

 and enjoy the fun. 



A. E. T. W. 



