i8 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



convey them in carts to Windsor, 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 

 exhibited as served the country people for matter of talk 

 and wonder for years afterwards. 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 any thing 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. 



LETTER VII 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Though 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, towards the beginning of this century, 

 all this country was wild about deer-stealing. Unless 

 he was a hunter^ as they affected to call themselves, no 

 young person was allowed to be possessed of manhood or 

 gallantry. The Waltham blacks at length committed such 

 enormities, that government was forced to interfere with 

 that severe and sanguinary act called the black act,^ which 

 now comprehends more felonies than any law that ever 



^Statute 9 Geo. I. c. 22. 



