1737 : EECOEDS OF THE KUNS. 319 



several times, and at last took to Windsor-Forest, where his 

 Majesty order'd the Dogs to be call'd off and a silver Collar 

 to be put about the Stag's neck, and order'd that he should 

 never be hunted again ; after which they returned to Hampton- 

 Court to Dinner." 



Monday, September 19, Sunbury Common. — Their Majesties, 

 the Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses hunted a hind, 

 which gave a good run for two hours. Killed near Teddington. 

 " During the Chace his E,oyal Highness fell from his Horse on 

 Hounslow-Heath, and receiv'd a slight Hurt." 



Wednesday, September 21, Sunbury Common. — The same 

 members of the Royal Family hunted a hind, " which afforded 

 them good Sport for two Hours, when it was Killed near 

 Kingston- Wick." 



Saturday, September 24, Hounslow Heath. — The same 

 members of the Royal Family " took the Diversion of Hunting 

 a Hind from Hounslow-Heath, which cross'd the Thames and 

 ran beyond Guildford in SuiTey, then turn'd back, and was 

 taken as she was crossing the Thames near Staines ; but his 

 Majesty order'd her Life to be spared, and about Five o'Clock 

 their Majesties and the rest of the Royal Family return'd to 

 Hampton-Court to Dinner. The Duke of Cumberland fell 

 with his Horse, and pitching on his Face, his Royal High- 

 ness had a great Effusion of Blood from his Nose." The 

 highwaymen in the neighbourhood of Hounslow Heath were 

 in battalions strong, and woe betide the straggling stag-hunter 

 who fell into their clutches. 



This was Queen Caroline's last appearance in the hunting 

 field. She died on the ensuing November 20, to the deep and 

 lasting grief, not only of the King, her family, and friends, but 

 of the nation. During the ten years (1727 till 1737) in which 

 she yielded so great an influence over public business, it con- 

 tinued to flow in a smooth and uniform current, seldom broken 

 by obstacles, and bearing along comparatively few materials 

 for history. It was her greatest pleasure to mingle with the 

 people, and for many years she took especial delight in frater- 

 nising with the field at the meets of the Royal Buckhounds. 



