V^»)LMER rOEEST. EED DEER. 29 



mg tlieni to take every deer in this forest alive, and to 

 convey tliem in carts toAVindsor. In the course of the 

 summer they caught every stag, some of which showed 

 extraordinary diversion ; but, in the following winter, when 

 the hinds were also carried off, such fine chases were exhi- 

 bited as served the country people for matter of talk and 

 wonder for years afterwards. I saw myself one of the 

 yeoman 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 called it, for twenty minutes ; when, sounding their 

 horns, the stop-dogs were permitted to pursue, and a most 

 gallant scene ensued. 



LETTEE yil. 



TO THE SAME. 



Though large herds of deer do much harm to the neigh- 

 bourhood, 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, 

 towards the beginning of this century, all this country was 

 wild about deer-stealing. Unless he were a hunter, as they 

 alFected to call themselves, no young person was allowed to 



* Nothing can be more true than these remarks. The state of demoralisa- 

 tion of the people in the neighbourhood of the New Forest, for instance, i« 

 beyond what can well be imagined. Deer stealing is a temptation which few 

 of them can resist, and the consequence is idleness, drunkenness, and immorality. 

 The Act of Parliament which removes the deer from the New Forest, will 

 confer a blessing on the whole neighbourhood. — Ed. 



