THE ROYAL HOUNDS. 221 



choice between their various propositions and con- 

 fides the all-important task of harbouring to one of 

 the huntsmen, who forthwith departs with his lymerer 

 to consult the forester of that particular " walk" and 

 visit the feeding grounds. The meeting place is 

 fixed, and the sergeant of the office is to warn all the 

 berners and other officials to be there early. The 

 hunter and lymerer then proceed to harbour the 

 stag, much as we do at the present day, save that 

 we do not use a hound. So great importance is 

 attached to scientific harbouring that " The Master of 

 Game " devotes seven chapters to it, giving elaborate 

 directions for harbouring in high spires or woods, in 

 coppices and "young springs," and when stags are 

 belling. No detail is too small to be explained. 



Next morning early the berners and other officers 

 of the household are directed to go to the place of 

 assembly and make ready : — 



" All they that come from home, and all the officers 

 that come from home, should bring thither all that 

 they need — everyone in his office well and plenteously. 

 They should lay towells and board cloths all about 

 upon the green grass and set divers meets upon a 

 great platter after the lord's power. And some should 

 eat sitting, and some standing, and some leaning upon 

 their elbows, and some should drink, some laugh and 

 some jangle, some joke and some play — in short do 

 all manner of desport and gladness." Can one not 

 see here the precursor of the mighty picnics yearly 

 taking place at Cloutsham and Haddon ? — picnics 



