We love a good motto, and one like Mr. Hood's speaks volumes:
"HUNTS ROASTED"—
Next comes an advertisement of the author's endeavour to record a yearly revel (the Epping Hunt,) already fast hastening to decay. Mr. Hood is serious, as the following epistle will show:—
"It was penned by an underling at the Wells, a person more accustomed to riding than writing."
"Sir,—About the Hunt. In anser to your Innqueries, their as been a great falling off laterally, so much so this year that there was nobody allmost. We did a mear nothing provisionally, hardly a Bottle extra, wich is a proof in Pint. In short our Hunt may be sad to be in the last Stag of a Decline.
"I am, Sir,
"With respects from
"Your humble Servant,
"BARTHOLOMEW RUTT."
Then begins the tale.