STAG-HUNTING. 741 



fine horses are ruined for life after a severe run; and even 

 the riders have been known to sufier much from what must 

 rather be considered a fatigue than a pleasure. 



There is no authentic account of the first establishment 

 of the royal stag-hounds ; we learn, however, by a letter from 

 Mr. Rowland White to Sir Robert Sidney, dated September 

 the 12th, A.D. 1600, that ''her majesty (Queen Elizabeth, 

 who was then in her seventy-seventh year) is well, and 

 exceedingly disposed to hunting, for every second day she is 

 on horseback, and enjoys the sport long.'' It is certain that 

 this queen was rapturously fond of hunting, and frequently 

 indulged in it ; and to this may be ascribed the great age 

 and vigorous health which she enjoyed. During that reign 

 the royal establishment consisted of packs of buckhounds, 

 staghounds, harriers, and other dogs, with a suitable retinue 

 for the care of each, the aggregate amount of which cost 

 only in those days £240. 4s. lid. At that period, we pre- 

 sume, the expense was solely defrayed by the privy-purse ; 

 but in a subsequent reign a new arrangement took place, 

 and the stag-hounds became part of the crown-establish- 

 ment, with increased salaries and other advantages to the 

 suite attending them. On the accession of George III. to 

 the throne, this establishment met with still higher honours 

 and local privileges. The kennel is situated upon Ascot 

 Heath, near the racecourse, a distance of about six miles from 

 Windsor Castle ; and about a mile from the kennel is sta- 

 tioned Swinley Lodge, a spot replete with all the beauties 

 of romantic and rural scenery. This is the official residence 

 of the master of the staghounds, an appointment of great 

 honour, always conferred on a person of high rank, with a 

 salary of two thousand pounds per annum, and his presence 

 in the field is not at all times required ; but it is indispen- 

 sably necessary when the king or queen are to hunt. 



