A few lines only are necessary to explain the object with which these volumes are put forth. There is no modern encyclopedia to which the inexperienced man, who seeks guidance in the practice of the various British Sports and Pastimes, can turn for information. The Badminton Library is offered to supply the want. Of the imperfections which must be found in the execution of such a design we are conscious. Experts often differ. But this we may say, that those who are seeking for knowledge on any of the subjects dealt with will find the results of many years experience written by men who are in every case adepts at the Sport or Pastime of which they write. It is to point the way to success to those who are ignorant of the sciences they aspire to master, and who have no friend to help or coach them, that these volumes are written. The reward we all hope to reap is that our work may prove useful to this and future generations. Few persons who visited the late International Fisheries Exhibition in South Kensington could fail to have been struck by the multiplicity, and, to the uninitiated, complexity of the engines and appliances used in the capture of fish. The observation applies even more to the angler a generic term that I have a special objection to, by the way, but let us say to the fisherman who uses a rod than to the fisherman proper, whose weapons are net and hand-line, and who occupies his business in great waters. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are now republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

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