270 HISTORY OF THE EGYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



to worse, and was only tolerated now pending the projected 

 improvements and enlargements designed to be carried out 

 thereon. 



In June 1728 the King paid intermittent visits to Richmond, 

 and on the 8th of that month it was publicly announced 

 " that His Majesty designs to take the diversion of Hunting 

 in Windsor Forest in the month of August." The Prince of 

 Wales- — who subsequently became a staunch follower of the 

 Royal pack^ — was languishing in a sort of political exile in 

 Hanover. His Royal Highness was now expected " home." 

 There was much ado, and little done, about arranoino^ his 

 establishment ; and beyond the appointment of twenty-two 

 livery servants belonging to the late King's stables, who had 

 been discharged upon the setting up of the Household, were 

 now taken into the service of His Royal Highness, no further 

 steps were taken in that direction. On July 4 the King and 

 most of the Ro3'al Family arrived at Hampton Court, and on 

 the 14th they dined in public for the first time. All comers 

 were admitted into the banqueting room. The pressure of 

 the public caused the rail surrounding the table to break, 

 whereby many persons fell in upon the Royal Family, when 

 the scramble for hats and wigs caused much diversion, " at 

 which their Majesties laughed heartily." This incident shows, 

 and subsequent ones prove, that the Royal Family were very 

 affable, and did not disdain to mingle with the masses durinij 

 the hunting seasons with the Royal Buckhounds. 



Great preparations were being made, in the meantime, at 

 Windsor against the opening day, which was fixed for June 27, 

 at Hounslow Heath. The rendezvous was attended by the 

 King and the Royal Family. His Majesty and the elder 

 princesses were on horseback, the Queen in a calash and 

 single horse, " in the same manner as Queen Anne used to 

 hunt in Windsor Forest." There was a large attendance at 

 the meet ; unfortunately no news of the run transpired. 



Hounslow, August 1, was the next fixture at which the 

 King was present. 



August 3, Richmond Park. — Their Majesties, Duke of 



