Foreword 



them in the evening — and perhaps a couple of 

 days in a season on foot, knew a good deal 

 more than I did, and declined to be convinced 

 of the truth of my proposition. 



Then it struck me that a considerable number 

 of those with whom I had hunted during that and 

 many other seasons, might, after all, be more 

 inclined to side with my acquaintance than with 

 me. Several of them I knew would in a week 

 or so have commenced their racing season, and 

 would be racing week in, week out, with the 

 exception of a few days' grouse or partridge 

 shooting till November brought round the time 

 for gallops in the open once more. 



And it struck me as I continued my home- 

 ward ride how much these friends of mine miss, 

 who can see no good in hunting save " the mad- 

 ness of the gallop, forty minutes on the grass." 



Each month — each day brings round to the 

 hunt servants its own peculiar duties, and 

 the man who interests himself in the work of 

 the moment as it comes round, not only has a 

 fuller and deeper enjoyment of the good things 

 of the season, but he comes in for fewer of the, 



3 



