112 DERBYSHIRE TAPESTRY. 



arrangements of an approaching galley are rendered visible by the 

 quaint "up-end" perspective. On the prow, the captain is 

 seated blowing a long horn, whilst at the stern in high state, as 

 on a throne, is a monarch with a sceptre in his right hand, his 

 dignity being protected by a tent-like canopy. Between the two 

 are six oarsmen, three on each side, apparently not overburdened 

 with clothing. 



The otter hunt is rather confusing. In the background are 

 horses and attendants. In the centre the chief hunstman is 

 blowing a small horn, whilst he carries aloft an otter pierced 

 through the jaws with the centre barb of a long-shafted trident. 

 The dogs are clustered round him, and some of them have their 

 noses very close to its pendant tail or " pole." Three couples 

 of richly-dressed nobles with their ladies, form part of the 

 picture ; one of the gentlemen to the right is drawing his dagger 

 or hunting-knife. In the foreground another sportsman, in a 

 richly-embroidered coat, is spearing an otter, whilst two dogs are 

 hastening to the landing. 



The adventure with the swans (Plate IV.), in the lower right- 

 hand corner, is full of life and vigour, and admirably executed. 

 Two lads have attempted to reach the nests or the cygnets, in a 

 small, flat-bottomed boat. One bird clearly has been captured, 

 for it is being offered by a girl to the lady in the background, 

 who is on the point of leaving by the vessel which is nearing 

 them behind. The swans have interfered ; the boat is sinking, 

 and its single occupant, who has reached the upper end, is 

 assailed by the angry birds, one of which has seized him on the 

 right, whilst another has him by the left arm. His expression 

 of fear, and his obvious cry for help, are admirably pourtrayed. 

 His mate, who seems to have made a desperate plunge from the 

 submerged end of the boat, lies prostrate on the bank, with his 

 feet apparently in the water, at the mercy of a still larger bird, 

 whose neck he grasps with his hand. A fe;male is endeavouring 

 to drive the swan away by the vigorous application of a pole. 

 The latter scene is somewhat obscure, part of the hanging being 

 folded in the window bay. 



