Transcriber's Note:
The Erratum note has been applied to the text.
Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.
MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD.
MEN WE MEET IN
THE FIELD.
By A. G. BAGOT ("Bagatelle").
1881.
TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND,
LONDON.
MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD
OR
THE BULLSHIRE HOUNDS.
By A. G. BAGOT ("Bagatelle"),
AUTHOR OF "SPORTING SKETCHES IN THREE CONTINENTS."
London:
TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND.
1881.
[All rights reserved.]
CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS,
CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.
PREFACE.
The present series of Sketches in the Hunting Field have, from time totime, appeared in the columns of The Country Gentleman and SportingGazette, to the Editor of which journal I am indebted for leave toreprint them. All, or nearly all, the characters I have endeavoured toportray have come under my personal observation, and are from life; butI have done my utmost to avoid depicting peculiarities that might serveto identify my models, or using personalities that might offend them.
In placing Men we Meet in the Field before the public, beyondacknowledging that I have perhaps not done full justice to the subject,I offer no apology; for anything said or done, painted or written, thatserves in any way to call attention to our glorious old national sport,or to recall perchance the scenes of our youth, is not done amiss. Inthat it is one more stone, however humble, in the wall of defence which,alas! it is now becoming necessary to build against the attacks of thosewhose aim seems to be the demolition of all sport, dazzled as they areby the glamour of notoriety, won by sensational legislation, at theexpense of all that has made England what she is, and her sons anddaughters what they are.
I do not for a moment wish to enter into political argument. In theField, Liberal and Conservative, Radical and Home-Ruler, meet as one,save only in the struggle for the lead. But what I do hold is that, bymeasures such as the Ground Game Bill and the Abolition of all Freedomof Contract, our national sports are fast being blotted out, and that itbehoves all true sportsmen to array themselves against such things.
Of the matter contained in the volume I am now sending on its way,others must judge. I confess that I have enjoyed the writing of it. If Iam fortunate enough to find some at least who enjoy the reading I shallbe content, and shall feel I have not laboured in vain.
To those wh