Robert Smith Surtees: A Critical Study. This item is unavailable.Robert Smith Surtees: A Critical Study

This volume, collected and introduced by ED Cuming gathers many ‘fugitive contributions’ to magazines in a single place. Topics include Beckford, Hunt Balls, old practices like ‘brushing’ that involved thrusters galloping to claim the fox’s brush at peril to hounds and much more. Robert Smith Surtees enthusiasm for life, hunting and people bubbles through every line and the pieces are at their best when they deal with the hunting he knows best – Lord Elcho’s hounds, fine runs in country he knows and loves, assessments of Osbaldeston and off-handed vignettes about The Craven ‘a most killing pack.. (but) no small share of their fame was eared for them by their Master.’ This volume is neatly illustrated by GD Armour, with occasionals by WR Frith RA and of course John Leech.