274 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. 



Early in the month of August the Prince of Wales and the 

 Princesses arrived at Richmond. The King was in Hanover. 

 The first meet of the Royal Buckhounds, in this brief season, 

 took place in Richmond New Park on Saturdaj^ August 11, 

 which was attended by Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, the 

 Duke of Cumberland, the Princess Royal, and the Princesses 

 Amelia and Caroline, and a large field of all sorts and conditions 

 of brave men and fair women. Notwithstanding the rain the 

 run proved enjoyable ; Her Majesty, attended by the Duchess 

 of Hamilton, being in at the death of the stag, and then they 

 returned to Kensington to dinner. 



Thursday, August 14, Windsor Forest. — Present all the 

 Royal Family (bar the Sovereign) and a large field. Short 

 but fast run, and at finish all those who were up " were enter- 

 tained with a magnificent dinner and a fine desert at the Lord 

 Malpas's seat at Windsor." (His Lordship was Master of the 

 Horse to the Prince of Wales.) The following day the King 

 arrived in England ; and on Wednesday, October 2, " their 

 Majesties hunted in Richmond Park " for (so far as we can 

 ascertain) the last time this season. 



As appears, by the ofiicial certificate of the Master, 35 stags 

 and 14 hinds were hunted by the pack in the vicinity of 

 Windsor and Epping Forests during this season. 



1730. — In the month of July we find the Court at Windsor 

 Castle, and the highwaymen reaping a golden harvest from 

 those whom pleasure or business obliged to journey thither 

 from town. Detachments of cavalry were ordered to patrol 

 the road from Hyde Park Corner to Windsor in order to pro- 

 tect the public. In the Forest a large body of military was 

 encamped ; to each of the officers' mess the King presented a 

 fat buck. The troops had very little to do beyond levelling 

 the Forest and making roads in the vicinity. Those military 

 roads were admirably constructed ; indeed, they soon became 

 famous throughout the Three Kingdoms, and (especially in 

 Ireland) still retain their reputation. Among the Royal guests 

 at this time were two Indian chiefs. Their portraits were 

 painted by order of the King, and at their departure he pre- 



