296 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



run. The stag was taken near Harrow-on-the-Hill, and the 

 Royal hunting party then returned to Hampton Court. 



Wednesday, September 5. — "Their Majesties and the Royal 

 Family hunting a Stag in Surrey, he passed the River 

 Thames, and took into some strong Inclosures near Staines in 

 Middlesex, belonging to one Richd. Violet, who clap'd up a 

 Chain, and refused the Sportsmen Admittance, telling the 

 Noblemen, who expostulated with him, he luas King in his 

 own grounds. Some of the courtiers were for violent Mea- 

 sures; but their Majesties being informed of it, ordered the 

 Farmer some Gold, and then he took down his Chain, and the 

 Stag was soon after Killed." The good sense and tact here 

 exercised by the King and Queen was a severe reproof to the 

 indiscretion of those who, smarting at the check, would have 

 overridden the law. Considering the unpopularity of the 

 Court at the moment, we must commend the farmer's conduct, 

 as — 



" One whose free actions vindicate the cause 

 Of sylvan liberty o'er feudal laws " {ScoW). 



Saturday, September 8, St. George's Hill (Surrey side). — 

 Stag uncarted ; gave a good run for nearly two hours, and killed 

 on Red Hill. King, Queen, and the Royal Family reported 

 to have taken part in the " diversion." 



Wednesday, September 12, Richmond Park.- — " The Stag that 

 was roused at Fan-Grove, carry'd the Royal Family a Chase 

 of about 40 Miles, four Miles beyond Bagshot. The King 

 changed his Horses four Times, and at length order'd the 

 Dogs to be call'd off: Their Alajesties and the Royal Family 

 dined with the Earl of Tankerville at Swinley Lodge, upon a 

 cold Collation : The King commanded Lady Tankerville to 

 sit down at Table ; and their Majesties being highly delighted 

 with the Sport as well as with their Entertainment, return'd 

 about Five in the Evening to Hampton Court." 



Saturday, September 15, Sunbury Common. — The first hind 

 of the season was uncarted in the presence of their Majesties, 

 the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, the three eldest 

 Princesses, and a large field of the nobility and gentry. " A 



