240 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



a million to one that it would now be impossible to drive 

 a herd of timid deer from Cheshire to Windsor without 

 losing every head before a quarter of the journey was accom- 

 plished. The Royal Forest having been " well replenished " 

 by these drafts there was no lack of game to give sport. 

 Large fields and brilliant runs appear to have ensued, but 

 unfortunately no details of the sport have been preserved. 

 However, we incidentally hear that on the conclusion of the 

 run, on August 1, 1712, the noble Master received the 

 joyful intelligence that his Countess had just presented 

 him with a son and heir, whereupon he was heartily con- 

 gratulated, and the Queen herself promised to become god- 

 mother to the welcome little stranger. This promise was 

 fulfilled on the ensuing August 26, when Her Majesty 

 presented her Master of the Buckhounds with a warrant 

 on the Royal Jewel Ofiice to obtain 130 ounces of plate 

 as her gift at the christening of his child, the plate to be 

 made into such vessels and after such fashion as his Lordship 

 should direct. The order was executed at the Jewel Office 

 on April 28, 1713, when his Lordship received " one large 

 gilt cup, cover and salver," weighing 132 ounces 11 dwts., 

 for which the Treasury was charged 761. 9s. There is every 

 reason to assume that the followers of the Royal Hunt con- 

 tinued to enjoy the pleasures of the chase, and that the 

 Forest and its vicinity resounded with the merry music of 

 hound and horn during the remainder of Lord Cardigan's 

 somewhat brief term of office. But, by the Queen's death 

 on August 1, 1714, hunting was stopped ; nor was it again 

 resumed for some time. George I. re-appointed the Earl of 

 Cardigan to the Mastership on November 6, 1714, " to hold 

 the office in as full and ample manner as he, the said Earl 

 of Cardigan or any other person, hath held and enjoyed 

 the same."* He was sworn into the office by the Lord 

 Chamberlain on the same day, as appears by the subjoined 

 certificate in that behalf:— 



* Ilomc Office Records, Warrant Book, vol. xiii., p. 163. 



