iv Preface. 



slight pleasure now that I can have no more " quiet 

 evenings," listening to and noting down their ex- 

 periences. 



In compiling this book I have endeavoured to 

 relieve the general reader by throwing mere matters 

 of flock and herd detail into the notes. I could do 

 no more than touch on what appear to be leading 

 points in a county, and as these matters are appreci- 

 ated differently by different minds, I shall no doubt 

 be found guilty of many dreadful acts of omission. 

 It is, however, a comfort to think that one enthusiastic 

 purveyor, who painted " Saddle and Sirloin" over 

 his sign as soon as the title was announced, and has 

 amused himself ever since by listening to the com- 

 ments of the passers-by, is bound to stand by me 

 and my selection for better for worse ; and I trust 

 that those who have not committed themselves after 

 this fashion may not find much to condemn. 



H. H. Dixon. 



59, Warwick Gardens, Kensington, W, 

 January 25th, 1870. 



