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 fly 

 to, the consciousness of having done his best to amuse, 

 hoping also, that this short treatise 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. 



