Preface

Amongst the books to which I am indebted for my material in my endeavour to draw various phases of life and character in England at the beginning of the century, I would particularly mention Ashton‘s "Dawn of the Nineteenth Century；" Gronow‘s "Reminiscences；" Fitzgerald‘s "Life and Times of George IV.；" Jesse‘s "Life of Brummell；" "Boxiana；" "Pugilistica；" Harper‘s "Brighton Road；" Robinson‘s "Last Earl of Barrymore" and "Old Q.；" Rice‘s "History of the Turf；" Tristram‘s "Coaching Days；" James‘s "Naval History；" Clark Russell‘s "Collingwood" and "Nelson."

I am also much indebted to my friends Mr. J. C. Parkinson and Robert Barr for information upon the subject of the ring.

A. CONAN DOYLE.
HASLEMERE,
September 1, 1896.

Chapter I--Friar‘s Oak

On this, the first of January of the year 1851, the nineteenth century has reached its midway term, and many of us who shared its youth have already warnings which tell us tha

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