CHAPTER I. 



"THE COTTESMORE IN 1826." 



The hounds all make a jovial cry ; 



The hounds all make a jovial cry ; 



The hunstman winds his horn. 



TIME flies fast, good reader, and it is now many 

 years since I was little, when the only steam came 

 from the kettle ; for I may say, there was little 

 or no steam in the days I refer to, except for the 

 purpose of making tea, mixing " hot stopping," wash- 

 ing, and for those who were arrived at manhood to 

 shave with. They were, however, I really think, 

 what are called "good old days" ; and there was much 

 fun afloat, though, perhaps, in a milder form than at 

 present. There was, however, as much dash and 

 pluck in the Britisher then as in these days, for, 

 wherever there was danger, there would he be 

 found, and he was wont to shoot his enemy with a 

 " Brown Bess" or " Flint and Steel," and could drive 



