PREFACE 



'T^HE reasons which have induced me to collect 

 sufficient material, and to compile it in the form 

 of a History of the Old Surrey Fox Hounds, may be 

 briefly stated. They are, in effect, that, so far as I 

 am aware, no previous attempt has been made in this 

 direction, and that — in consequence of the inevitable 

 and rapid expansion of the Metropolis bringing about 

 (together with other causes) changes inimical to fox- 

 hunting near London — the passing of the " Old Surrey," 

 as at present constituted, can only be a matter of time. 



It would be infinitely to be regretted if the annals of 

 a Hunt which has supplied so much sporting history 

 should be allowed to lapse without an effort being made 

 to preserve some record of its long career ; and with an 

 ambition to fill this vacancy the following chapters have 

 been prepared, with a due sense of their shortcomings. 



The difficulties experienced in tracing the earlier 

 details of the Hunt have not been small ; but, thanks to 



