96 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



slotting the red-deer," which the Prince graciously 

 accepted. 



Earl Fortescue, Mr. Nicholas Snow, the Eev. John 

 Kussell, and several others were, if nob in the very 

 first flight, there or thereabouts during this clinking 

 and now historical run. Great credit is due to that 

 most genial of sportsmen, Mr. S. H. Warren, for his 

 admirable management, as also to Sir Thomas Dyke- 

 Acland, Mr. Snow, and in fact to all the landlords 

 and tenant-farmers of the district over whose ground 

 the Prince of Wales first gained his experience of 

 hunting the wild red-deer. 



On Saturday afternoon the Prince terminated his 

 brief visit, returning by rail to Devonport. A rare 

 day of sunshine in this gloomy time caused the 

 thousands present to have a most enjoyable time ; but 

 the weather the following day returned to its evil 

 courses a soaking rain and heavy mist blurring the 

 beautiful landscape. One consequence of this sunless 

 season is the want of the customary bloom on the 

 heather, which usually at this season is the glory of 

 the country. Scarcely a handful is to be gathered 

 where, in other seasons, I have ridden for miles knee- 

 deep amidst its beautiful blossoms. Never in my 

 experience have I seen the country in so deplorable a 

 state ; all along the route from London to Somerset- 

 shire the hay is to be seen rotting on the ground 

 or floating on water ; a vast proportion of the grass 

 still remaining uncut. In the lowlands the floods are 

 out, the rivers are lakes, and the usually placid stream- 

 lets are now brawling brooks; the wheat in many 

 places is badly laid, scarcely showing a yellow tint ; 

 here and there a sickly-looking crop of oats has been 



