DEDICATION. 



TO JOHN MUSTERS, ESQ. 



MY DEAR SIR, 



Ix these degenerate days, when the so-called improve- 

 ments in our social system, and in the state and 

 appearance of the country, have well nigh put a stop 

 to our sports and pleasures in the field, it may seem 

 ill-timed to bring forward a work on a subject which 

 appears to be fast declining in general estimation. — 

 I am aware that it is so, but being a devoted admirer 

 of all connected with field sports, I have endeavoured 

 to rescue the science from oblivion, by giving in the 

 following pages my experience in the chase, hoping 

 that my labours may contribute to the pleasure and 

 instruction of those true English hearts, who still love 

 that noblest of British pastimes, Fox-hunting. " I cast 

 then my book upon the waters," in hope, "believing 

 that its vein is good ;" unwilling however to send it 

 forth to the world without an introduction, I feel proud 

 of the permission to commend it to the care of so dis- 

 tinguished a pilot as yourself. 



