CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 117 



event of a new pack being established, — a letter, 

 the manly and generous tone and feeling of which 

 will be appreciated by all who read it : — 



' Lower Grosvenor Streei', 

 ^ March 10, 1826. 



' Sir, — I lose no time in announcing to you my 

 cordial co-operation in the spirited effort which I 

 learn, by the communication with which you have 

 favoured me, is now making for the purpose of 

 preserving the North Devon Stag Hunt. I have 

 seen with much regret the decline, and latterly the 

 abandonment, of this ancient and manly sport. I 

 believe that throughout England the red deer, in 

 their native state, are at present only to be found 

 in the mountainous districts of the north of Devon. 

 If this, the last of the old stag-hunting establish- 

 ments, is finally relinquished, the deer will be 

 quickly exterminated, and the memory of a sport 

 which was once universal, which was associated 

 with the history of the oldest families of the county, 

 and has existed for centuries, will henceforth be 

 known only in tradition. Notwithstanding my 

 sincere regret that events should have rendered 

 an appeal to the British public necessary, I trust 

 that such an appeal will have the effect of reconciling 



