Written by the author of Handley Cross, this volume presents the tales of Mr Sponge and other characters. It is a fine example of Surtees' craft.

Robert Smith Surtees, (1802-1864), English novelist and sporting writer, was the second son of Anthony Surtees of Hamsterley Hall, a member of an old Durham family. After co-founding the New Sporting Magazine, Surtees took to writing sporting novels, amongst them Hillingdon Hall, Ask Mamma, and Mr Facey Romford's Hounds, which was published following his death in March 1864.