236 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



snow, which did so vast an amount of damage to the 

 trees, then covered with leaves, during the storm in 

 the early days of October. At length the facade of 

 the old hall became visible ; no liveried lacqueys 

 lounge at the doors, no prancing palfreys emerge from 

 the large range of stabling; all is desolation, for 

 nearly the whole of the large pile of building was 

 destroyed by fire a year or two back, and the gaunt, 

 blackened, massive walls plainly tell the tale of 

 destruction. 



Turning away from the dilapidated edifice, I went 

 in search of the hunters, whose business it was that 

 day to take the remainder of the herd of red-deer, 

 many having already been captured, and the finest 

 specimens sent to Weald Hall Park, the property of 

 Mr. Christopher I. H. Tower, a thorough sportsman. 

 Transferred to his beautiful park, with its splendid 

 growth of fern, its grand old trees, undulating surface, 

 extensive lake and lovely scenery, these noble animals 

 will be a great addition to the already handsome, if 

 somewhat limited, herd that roam at pleasure over the 

 ancient domain which lies contiguous to Brentwood. 

 Then, as I wended my way across the park, I heard in 

 the distance the halloo of the hunters, evidently in 

 pursuit of the game ; and, suddenly emerging from 

 the woodland, I see nine hinds and four stags. In an 

 instant these beautiful creatures came to a halt on 

 perceiving me, fearing doubtless that, though they had 

 left the hunters far behind, they had fallen in with 

 a fresh enemy. Eemaining perfectly still, I watched 

 with delight the movements of the little herd, which 

 evidently were in doubt as to which way they should 



