294 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



Lord Tankerville's stipend as Master of the Royal Buck- 

 hounds was at the rate of 2,341^, per annum, out of which he 

 was obliged " to defray all the charges of the same." 



On June 7 Lord Tankerville set out from London en route 

 to Windsor, " with a gard of retainers and troops," to take 

 command of the pack, and to make all necessary preparations 

 against the opening of the hunting season.* Special precautions 

 had to be taken to protect the followers of the hunt from the 

 designs of the highwaymen, who were, at this time, most 

 aggressive in the neighbourhood of Windsor and Epping 

 Forests. Deer-stealers, likewise, were so industrious that a 

 proclamation had to be issued offering a reward of 50^. for 

 every one convicted. 



In August, their Majesties, the Royal Family, and the Court 

 arrived from Kensington at Hampton Court Palace, and the 

 first meet of the Royal Buckhounds was announced to take 

 place in Richmond New Park on Saturday, August 4. We 

 have found no allusion to the inaugural meet of the season 

 beyond an announcement in the Gazette that " Their Majesties 

 and all the Royal Family " partook of that diversion on that 

 occasion. 



Wednesday, August 8, same meet. — Their Majesties, Prince 

 of Wales, Duke, and all the Royal Family, accompanied by 

 several persons of distinction, again out. No particulars or 

 incidents of the sport. 



Saturday, August 11, same meet. — Their Majesties, the 

 Duke, the Princesses Royal and Amelia, accompanied by 



* " A common occurrance at this time befel the Countess of Tankerville 

 almost simelteanously with her husbands portentious journey to Windsor. It 

 appears she was then staying on a vistit with the Duchess of Richmond at 

 Goodwood. Whiie she was 'taking the air' in a carriage, accompanied by 

 the Duchess, Lady Hervey, Mr. Stephen Fox and the Dean of Chichester, they 

 were attacked on Eook Hill by two highwaymen who ordered them to stand 

 and deliver. Mr. Fox and Lady Hervey lost their gold watches, the Coimtess 

 her gold snuflE boox, and the Dean ' about eight guineas.' Soon after this 

 incident we read that as Mr. Atlee, groom of the chambers to the Earl of 

 Tankerville, was riding over Honslow Heath on his way to the Earl's Lodge in 

 Windsor Forest, a ' Gentleman disguised in liquor,' wounded him in the body 

 with a sword in a very dangerous manner, upon pretence that he suspected 

 him to be a highwayman." 



