290 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



In 1784 the hounds again came into the hands of 

 Sir Thomas Acland, and were kennelled for the 

 most part at Highercombe. 



It was the custom during this time for open house 

 to be kept apparently both before and after hunting 

 with almost boundless hospitality. There is in the 

 possession of the present Sir Thomas Acland a 

 magnificent punch-bowl witbhunting scenes depicted 

 on it, which was brought home from China by Mr. 

 Acland, of Littlebray, who is said to have taken out 

 the design and the clay on purpose to have the bowl 

 fashioned by oriental artists. There is also a set of 

 wineglasses with the stag's head surrounded by the 

 motto, " Prosperity to staghunting,^' which was the 

 old toast for the honouring of which they were so 

 frequently filled. The same badge and motto is still 

 in use on the hunt buttons, and most of the principal 

 families in the district have preserved the old, flat, 

 silver engraved buttons worn at that date. The 

 buttons which Mr. Basset wore when Master from 

 1886 to 1892, were the same set which Colonel 

 Basset wore when Master a century before. 



There was also at this time at Holnicote a splendid 

 collection of antlers, with the dates and where found 

 and killed inscribed on the frontal bone, as is done 

 at the present day, but they unfortunately were lost 

 in the fire which destroyed Holnicote, leaving only 

 those which hung in the stables, and many of these 

 were mutilated many years ago by a stupid groom, 

 who sawed off some of the points because they 



