32 NATURAL HISTORY 
traordinary diversion; but in the following winter, 
when the hinds were also carried off, such fine 
chases were exhibited as served the country people 
for matter of talk and wonder for years afterward. 
I saw myself one of the yeomen prickers single 
out a stag from the herd, and must confess that it 
was the most curious feat of activity I ever beheld, 
superior to anything in Mr. Astley’s riding-school. 
The exertions made by the horse and deer much 
exceeded all my expectations, though the former 
greatly excelled the latter in speed. When the 
devoted deer was separated from his companions, 
they gave him, by their watches, law, as they call- 
ed it, for twenty minutes; when, sounding their 
horns, the stop-dogs were permitted to pursue, and 
a most gallant scene ensued. 
a 
LETTER VII. 
TxovcH large herds of deer do much harm to the 
neighbourhood, yet the injury to the morals of the 
people is of more moment than the loss of their 
crops. ‘The temptation is irresistible, for most men 
are sportsmen by constitution; and there is such 
an inherent spirit for hunting in human nature as 
scarce any inhibitions can restrain. Hence, to- 
wards the beginning of this century, all this country 
was wild about deer-stealing. The Waltham blacks 
at length committed such enormities, that govern- 
ment was forced to interfere with that severe and 
sanguinary act called the Black Act,* which now 
* Statute 9 Geo. I., c. 22. 
