THE TILNEV HOUNDS. 315 



The Treasury Records show that his Majesty's hounds 

 killed in Eppini^- Forest in 1729. thirteen stags; in 1730, 

 nine stags (no hinds or bucks). 



In 1747 one run only is reported. It took place in 

 Bpping Poorest on August 24th, which " being the day fi.x't 

 for the Ladies' Hunt, a stag was rous'd, near the Green 

 Man, which ran several hours, and afforded excellent 

 diversion.' 



In the latter part of the eighteenth c^ntur)-, the 

 Epping Forest deer were hunted by a pack of the 

 old " lemon-pye " staghounds, the Royal pack being 

 also of that breed, until the fourth Duke of Richmond 

 presented his fo.xhounds to the Prince of Wales about 

 181 3, when the old hounds, "with ears as big as 

 cobblers' aprons," were bought by Colonel Thornton 

 and taken to France. 



It is said that the Esse.x pack were originally kept 

 at Wanstead House by Earl Tilney, and were known 

 as the Tilney Hounds. Before the death of the Earl, in 

 I 7S4, the pack was taken over by a number of the sporting 

 dwellers of the neighbourhood, who maintained them until 

 the management was undertaken by that keen sportsman. 

 Mr. Joseph Mellish. an opulent London merchant, who was 

 supported b\ numerous subscribers, most!) London gentle- 



