lo CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



' He bore without abuse 

 The grand old name of gentleman,' 



to the turmoil of the political world ; and it is said 

 that the King, hearing the circumstance, at a period 

 when the representation of a county was indeed a 

 distinction, exclaimed, ' I should like to see the 

 man who has the power to resist such honours.' 

 Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, the grandfather, was 

 succeeded as forester or ranger by his son and 

 namesake (the father of the present Sir Thomas) ; 

 and both those worthy ancestors of the present 

 excellent representatives of the baronetcy continued 

 the noble sport of stag-hunting in a manner worthy 

 of the name they bore, and of the character which 

 they left to posterity, of ' fine old English gentlemen.' 

 Those, indeed, were palmy days. Then flourished 

 such hospitality, as even in our hospitable west 

 country has never been surpassed. The doors of 

 Holnicote and Pixton, the seats of the Aclands, the 

 former situated in the lovely vale of Porlock, and 

 the latter on the river Barle near Dulverton, and 

 Highercombe, the hunting and shooting lodge of 

 the family, also near Dulverton, were open to all 

 comers. Good cheer and a kindly welcome greeted 

 alike nobleman and commoner. During the hunting 

 season the rooms of the houses were filled by who 



