248 HISTOEY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



of the Establishment of H.R.H. at the time in question, it would 

 probably transpire that his buck, stag, hare, fox, and other packs 

 exceeded the King's ; and from a comparative point of view 

 the former undoubtedly yielded superior sport. Unlike the 

 King, the Duke was in receipt of a large permanent income, 

 free and unencumbered, and untrammelled by the peculiar 

 devouring demands which soon exhausted the resources of 

 the Royal Exchequer. Notwithstanding all his faults, James 

 invariably paid twenty shillings in the pound. Thus the 

 " sinews " of sport were strong and healthy within the verge 

 of the Prince's Court, and under the watchful care of Colonel 

 Graham every department of this establishment was — to use 

 the nautical expression of the Duke — " in ship shape." Con- 

 sequently no reasonable expense was grudged in efficiently 

 sustaining this hunting establishment, in which H.R.H. evinced 

 the utmost solicitude during this interval of rural enjoyment, 

 down to the time of his eldest daughter's marriage with the 

 Prince of Orange. Then came a check. That spoil sport — 

 political and polemical agitation — had to run its course. 

 When the political and sectarian fanatics regained their senses, 

 the Duke of York again re-entered on the even tenor of his 

 way, and, accompanied by the Princess Anne, resumed hunting 

 with his hounds. His letters to the Prince of Orange, and to 

 his familiar friends likewise, testify to the pleasure and relaxa- 

 tion they derived from those rural sports. But the demon of 

 discord again came upon the scene. The father and daughtei- 

 were separated for a time. Then to the former came "the 

 weary crown," and the cares of state ; no time for hunting for 

 him, and very little for his favourite child. 



It is not necessary here to again refer to the career of the 

 Royal Buckhounds during the troubled reign of James 11. 

 When William and Mary jointly occupied the throne the latter 

 was jealous of her sister's personal popularity, and of the love 

 and devotion she inspired in all with whom she came in 

 contact. Mary was envious of Anne's prowess in the saddle, 

 and even endeavoured to prevent her following the Royal 

 Buckhounds in the hunting field. Fortunately, however, she 



