YACHTING TALES BY W. H. G. KINGSTON, AUTHOR OF "THE CRUISE OF THE FROLIC," ETC., ETC. LONDON: HUNT & Co., 119, CHURCH STREET, EDGWARE ROAD, N.W.; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & Co., STATIONERS' HALL COURT. PREFACE. I ONCE was a Yachtsman, and with no little pride enjoyed the privilege of sporting the crown and anchor buttons, and hoisting the red burgee of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, of which I was one of the earliest members. The following work was written many years ago, when, although I had retired from the Club, the salt breezes of the still loved blue ocean were fresh in my nostrils, and the recollection of my Yachting days as vivid as ever;-when, with pen in hand-in fancy, at all events -I was still viewing the shores of the Solent, cruising round the Isle of Wight, running down Channel, or standing across to France; so that I may hope this production of the imagination will not be found lacking in freshness or faithful colouring, and will afford the lovers of that most delightful and sensible of all amusements-Yachting—as much pleasure in its perusal as I enjoyed in writing it. April, 1877. WILLIAM H. G. KINGSTON. |