CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 129 



Exmoor. This he purchased from Sir Arthur 

 Chichester, while from Sir Thomas Acland and 

 others he acquired ' The Allotments,' tracts of land 

 also adjoining the moor, the whole of the purchases 

 together comprising from 60,000 to 70,000 acres, 

 chiefly waste land. After the purchase, Mr Knight 

 laid out a considerable sum in buildine the shell of a 

 large house at Simonsbath, which has never been 

 finished, and the walls of which still stand up high 

 and bare above the surrounding cottages, and form- 

 ing grounds appropriate to a mansion. Farm-houses 

 were erected in many parts of the moor, and farms 

 annexed thereto. A few plantations were made, 

 fences constructed, extensive draining operations 

 carried on, and large sums of money sunk ; but it is 

 very much feared that the expectations of the first 

 owner will never be fully realised, either by the 

 returns from the farms or by the success of the 

 mining operations which are carried on in different 

 parts of the forest. Now, about forty commodious 

 farm and other houses may be seen on the moor, 

 and, in consequence of the increase of the population, 

 Exmoor has recently been created a parish, and a 

 church and parsonage have been built at Simons- 

 bath. Mr Knight was a staunch supporter of hunt- 

 ing, and his three sons were, and are, dear lovers of 



