PREFACE. 



Some of the " Sketches " which follow appear for the 

 first time ; others have been altered and amended ; but 

 the greater portion of the book consists of reprint, and 

 for the issue of such works critics have taught us that 

 explanations, if not absolute apologies, are required. I 

 proceed therefore to offer my excuses. 



For the last year I have been the Editor of the Illus- 

 trated Sportmg and Dramatic Ne7vSy to which periodical, 

 before I accepted the position, several of the " Sketches " 

 had been contributed under the signature " Rapier ; " 

 and after I had undertaken the editorship, a pleasant 

 feature of my letter-box consisted of correspondence 

 from kindly readers who expressed a wish to see more 

 of these papers, asked whether they would be issued 

 in book form, and offered friendly suggestions and 

 criticisms. Slight and unpretentious as the "Sketches" 

 were, it was agreeably obvious to me that some people 

 had been amused by them; and when that admirable 

 draughtsman, Mr. John Sturgess, told me he should 

 be glad to depict some of the scenes described as they 



