laid a heavy fine on their lands j an acknow- 

 ledgment of which was paid into the exchequer 

 fo late as in the reign of Elizabeth*. Hutch- 

 ings, in his hiftory of Dorfetfhire, fays it is 

 paid to this day-f-. 



Inftances of favourite flags, and of the 

 warmth, with which mankind have efpoufed 

 their caufe, when injured, occur fo frequently 

 that Virgil thought a circumftance of this kind 

 a proper incident for the whole plot of his 

 to turn on: 



-- quse prima malorura 



Caufa fuit, belloque animos accendit agreftes, 

 Cervus erat forma prasftanti J ' 



In general, the flag is a harmlefs, inoffenfive 

 animal. At one feafon only, when he is en- 

 gaged in his feraglio, he is fierce. You hear 

 him roaring, and bellowing, at that time, 

 about the foreftj meditating revenge on his 

 rival, whom he meets, head to head, and foot 

 to foot. While he is able with his antlers 

 to pany the attack, he flands his ground ; 



* See Camden's Brit, page 59. 

 j- Vol. ii. page 492, 

 I JEn. VII. 481. 



and 



