Excerpt from Lyra Venatica: A Collection of Hunting Songs
This small collection lays claim to no further merit than that, with three or four exceptions, it contains nothing which has been published in such a collection before. I have taken all trouble possible to find out about each song - some of which, however, are very old. Should the above claim prove to be mistaken, or should anything be published herein unadvisedly or incorrectly, I sincerely apologise to those concerned.
At least half were collected by my father, just as they happened to take his fancy, and I thought it was a pity these should remain in oblivion. Should they give as much pleasure to those few whom I think they may interest, as they have to myself, my trouble will be amply repaid. In conclusion, I must thank those who have so willingly assisted me with information, many of whom were kind enough to send me fresh songs, and thus increase this small volume and its interest. More especially am I indebted to Mi's. Chaworth Musters, Isabella Marchioness of Exeter, Colonel Greenhill Gardyne (late Coldstream Guards), Major Longstaffe, Mrs. Cracroft-Amcotts, R. E. K. Gooch, Esq., and Mr. Sam Hills.