To those who so kindly received my maiden venture, "Sporting Sketches" (Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein, and Allen), I offer my best thanks. Like a young hound who has not felt too much whipcord, encouragement has given confidence. I can only hope I may not have flashed over the line. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTORY 1 THE MASTER 8 THE HUNTSMAN 16 THE WHIPS 26 THE SECRETARY 35 THE FARMER 46 THE PARSON 58 THE DOCTOR 72 THE DEALERS 84 THE GRUMBLER 98 THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND RIDES 113 THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND DOES NOT RIDE 126 THE SCHOOLBOYS 139 THE BOASTER 154 HODGE 169 THE KEEPER 182 THE AUTHORITY 197 THE BLACKSMITH 212 THE RUNNER 225 THE MAN AT THE TOLL-BAR 237 WHO-WHOOP! 247 THE FIRST OF THE SEASON 257 UNCLE JOHN'S NEW HORSE 262 THE HOG-BACKED STILE 287 ERRATUM. _For_ "Hollo!" _read throughout_ "Holloa!" MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD. INTRODUCTORY. For those fond of studying character under various circumstances and in various positions, there is, perhaps, no medium affording so good an opportunity, or so vast a scope, as the hunting-field.