1730 : RECOEUS OF THE EUNS. 275 



sented each of them with 100 guineas. The first mention of 

 hunting was on August 1, when the Duke of Cumberland 

 hunted the ram (according to ancient but brutal custom) with 

 the Eton boys ; a great concourse of fathers and mothers and 

 sisters and brothers being present to see the fun, which was 

 very cruel " sport." It had, however, one redeeming feature. 

 The cap was sent round, as usual, and a considerable sum 

 collected for the College Library.* 



So far as we can ascertain, it appears that all the meets 

 of the E.oyal Buckhounds which have been reported in this 

 hunting season were held in the vicinity of Windsor Forest. 

 The first took place on 



Saturday, August 8, at which their Majesties and the rest of 

 the Royal Family were present. A stag was roused near Colonel 

 Crosby's house. A good run ensued. The Koyal Family are 

 said to have been in at the death, after a chase of about two 

 hours. 



Saturday, August 15. — All the Royal Family present; no 

 details of this run. The Prince of Wales took a liking to 

 Mr. Fleetwood's " very fine hunter, which he bought for 100 

 guineas," 



Saturday, August 29. — ^The King and most of the Royal 

 Family hunted a stag, when " an extraordinary accident hap- 

 pened. Two stags breaking herd together ran so for several 

 miles, till at last the foremost (provok'd at the other's following 

 him) turn'd at him, and with his brow antlers gor'd him in the 

 side with such a great force, that he kill'd him on the spot. 

 The other they hunted down, but carried him in a Cart to 

 Sunning- hill, in order to save his life for another time, he being 

 a very fine one." 



Saturday, September 5. — ^Their Majesties, the Prince of 



Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family at the meet. A stag 



was roused near the Bear and Bell ; ran to Bagshot, thence 



* No offence meant. Eton is such a swell school now that this begging 

 business in her antecedents may appear to be infra dig. Kut the fact is {teste 

 Charles Kingsley) all our colleges were once charity schools endowed for the 

 masses, but subsequently (and in these cases, at any rate) most appropriately 

 appropriated by the " classes." 



