Hunting the Wild Stag. 65 



■way, which runs through GilUnghara, Sherborne, 

 Temple Combe, Yeovil, and Tannton, changing at 

 the latter place, and journeying by the Devon and 

 Somerset line to Dulverton, which is reached some- 

 where about six hours after leaving Waterloo. 

 Arriving at seven o'clock on the 12th August, I find 

 every one preparing for the pleasures of the annual 

 gathering of the inhabitants of Devon and Somerset, 

 w^ho make the opening day of the popular sport of 

 these counties an occasion for enjoying a view of the 

 lovely country, witnessing the hunting of the stag, 

 and pic-nicing amidst the furze and heather after the 

 style which is in vogue on the Derby Day at Epsom, 

 or the more fashionable meeting at Goodwood. 



Awaking in the morning, the outlook is gloomy, 

 heavy clouds are moving rapidly and in close proxi- 

 mity to the tops of the steep hills that surround the 

 snug and retired hamlet of Dulverton, through which 

 the swiftly-flowing Barle babbles noisily as its waters 

 flow near to those of the river Exe, passing through 

 Pixton Park, the property of the Earl of Carnarvon, 

 a spot highly suggestive of sport to the disciples of 

 the gentler art of which Izaak Walton was the high 

 priest, whose many followers may here indulge in 

 their pleasant occupation, as, in addition to fishing 

 in the free waters, permission is readily obtainable 

 from the noble earl and the other landlords of the 

 district to pursue their endeavours to ensnare the 

 spotted trout which abound in the sparkling streams 

 of this pleasant locality. 



After a substantial breakfast, and having specially 

 provided against the threatening appearance of the 

 morning, by causing a flask to be filled with Irish 



E 



