338 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT RACES. 



theless, this season with the Royal Buckhounds must have 

 been a fairly good one, as 45 stags and 28 hinds had been 

 killed and hunted by the pack. 



1748. — Peace and plenty — of racing at Ascot. "What were 

 the fruits which Britain reaped from this long and dreadful 

 war ? A dreadful expense of blood and treasure, disgrace on 

 disgrace, and the national debt accumulated to eighty millions 

 sterling." — Hume. The King did not return to England until 

 November 24. The Duke of Cumberland arrived at his 

 hunting quarters at Windsor on August 20. His Royal 

 Highness, who had been Ranger of the Great and Little Parks 

 since July 174G, was now appointed Lieutenant of Windsor 

 Forest during the life of the King and the Princess Amelia or 

 the longest liver of them. Notwithstanding the attraction 

 presented by the local duties belonging to the Lieutenancy of 

 the Forest, the Duke soon left the locality and returned to 

 Hanover. Meanwhile the Princess Amelia occasionally hunted 

 with the Buckhounds ; and although we are unable to unearth 

 any records of the runs, it seems the sport was good, the fields 

 large, and the pace a cracker.* The official certificate of the 

 Master shows that 52 stags and 81 hinds were killed and 

 hunted by the pack from Christmas 1747 to Christmas 1748. 



At Ascot the races were resumed and run for on August 15, 

 16, and 17, as appeal's by the subjoined programme of this 

 meeting : — 



* Good runs seem to have prevailed in foxhunting and staghunting during 

 this season. " On Monday (December 5) Lord Chedworth's and Mr. Button's 

 confederate pack of Foxhounds had the most remarkable fox-chase that ever 

 was seen in those parts (Camden, Gloucestershire). They ran a fox five hours 

 without a check over the finest country in England ; no chase could have 

 afforded more entertainment, no hounds could pursue their game with more 

 steadiness and resolution, no fox could more boldly run over a fine country, 

 and no sportsmen could pursue with more spirit and judgment in riding ; for 

 it was remarkable that there was not a hunter at the unkenneling that was not 

 at the death ; and not five horses out of thirty able to go a mile further : many 

 horses were obliged to be blooded to save their lives." On November 25 the 

 Duke of Marlborough's staghounds had a run in Oxfordshire of " at least 

 50 miles." The Duke and many of his friends were in at the death. Most of 

 the field, "though well mounted, tired their horses before the chase was ended." 



