PREFACE TO FIFTH EDITION. 



It is many years since this book was Avritten, and more 

 than one generation of sportsmen has grown up since that 

 time. I believe, however, that there are very few hunting 

 men who have not heard of the prowess of Assheton 

 Smith with hound and horn, and that all lovers of the 

 chase will welcome a reprint of the Memoir of him by my 

 father, the late Sir J. E. Eardley-Wilmot, Bart.* The First 

 Edition appeared when I was a school boy at Old Charter- 

 house in the City, and I remember being sent to the office 

 of the Sporting Magazine to copy out the verses on the 

 celebrated Billesdon Coplow Run, and spending several 

 hours at the work. Alas^ the best part of half a century has 

 passed since that day. 



, In conclusion I may add that I was named after the 

 subject of the Memoir. 



William Assheton Eardley-Wilmot. 



* Sir J. E. Eardley-Wilmot died on the 1st February, 1892, 

 at the good old age of 81. 



