PEEFACE. 



It is not for a moment intended that the experiences 

 of a single individual, as here given, should be put 

 forward as com23rehending all — or nearly all — worth 

 notice in the seasons referred to. The utmost to which 

 these pages aspire is, that they may be deemed fairly 

 representative of the years in question, and as illustrating 

 the sport and pleasure attainable in a grass country, by 

 any one who will work hard and regularly, and who 

 loves to ride to hounds — where hounds and men are at 

 their best. 



Of all who may honour me by reading this volume, I 

 would crave that it should be looked upon merely as a 

 Scrap Book, to be taken up for a few minutes only, when 

 thought may happen to turn upon Fox-hunting. Its 

 pages and its views will, I trust, find sympathy in soTue 

 breasts, and with this hope it is sent abroad. It is but 

 a reprint after all, which has been purposely left as origi- 

 nally written — thus perhaps to mark the lapse of years, 

 and a possible change of thought and sentiment (whether 

 for better or worse) between youth's first impressions and 

 maturity's battered experience. This at any rate I can 

 still maintain — and am happy to think there are many, 

 many with me — that the delights of a good run in good 

 company defy over-estimate. The pen that can do full 

 justice to a well-enjoyed and fairly-ridden run has yet to 

 be made, though even a common-place quill should now 

 and again drive with some life and go on such a topic. 



