BOOK OF SPORTS,

AND

MIRROR OF LIFE:

EMBRACING

THE TURF, THE CHASE, THE RING, AND THE STAGE

PRINTED FOR T. T. AND J. TEGG, 73, CHEAPSIDE;

AND R. GRIFFIN AND CO. GLASGOW.

ΤΟ

GEORGE OSBALDESTON, ESQ.

DEAR SIR,

In accordance with the axiom that Public Men are public property, I have done myself the honor of dedicating the Book of SPORTS to your notice; and, in my humble opinion, I trust that I have done so from the right sort of Taste, nay more, "good TASTE;" or, as an Artist might observe, I hope that it is "in perfect keeping" with the Character of the work:

To gild refin'd gold, to paint the lily,

To throw a perfume on the violet!

(as our immortal Bard has so beautifully expressed it)

Is wasteful and ridiculous.

Therefore, Sir, FLATTERY, or any thing in the shape of it, is entirely out of the question; and far, very far, rest assured, from my aim: although I feel not the slightest hesitation, asserting, that it is nothing else but a bit of good truth" in addressing "the SQUIRE,'

as the

ATLAS OF THE SPORTING WORLD. Indeed, Sir, I feel so strong in my opinion the above title is correct, and universally acknowledged to be such by every Sportsman, from one end of the Kingdom to the other, that I consider it is THREE to One in my favor.

Success, in an unparalleled degree, Sir, has attended your exertions in numerous Matches with which you have been engaged, that it would be utterly impossible to enumerate one half of them without making this DEDICATION as long as "Patterson's Road Book."

In every point of view in which you have been connected with the Sporting World, it is a well-known fact that the whole of your movements have rendered you conspicuous by the GAME, BLOOD, and BONE which you have displayed in them-either in your own person; or, in that show of excellence, which has characterized the high-bred cattle under your control.

As a Breeder of Hounds, it is acknowledged that "the Squire's blood is de facto in the highest repute in the Sporting World!"

As a mighty Hunter, and a passionate Lover of the Chase, no man ever distinguished himself in the field with so much superiority and talent-realizing a complete portrait of the thorough-bred Sportsman; an intrepid and daring Leader; neck or nothing; regardless of any thing like fear, and only

HARK FORWARD! SEE THE GAME, ITS IN VIEW! +

On the Race Course, Sir, in performing the part of a Jockey in your own right, as a RIDER, the name of ŎSBALDESTON, has claimed notoriety for its excellence from the best Judges of Horsemanship.

* During the period that Mr. Osbaldeston had the Quorn Hounds, three of the four packs which hunted in the same county, were the property of Noblemen; and for the sake of distinction, his friends conferred on him the familiar title of "The Squire."

+ It was his custom to turn out every day in the week, weather permitting; and, after Christmas, as the days increased in length, he had often TWO PACKS, out on the same day, a CIRCUMSTANCE BEFORE UNHEARD OF. Besides, for a succession of Seasons in Leicestershire he hunted his own hounds SIX DAYS a week.