340 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



Louisa Gate." Such it was sometimes called, and 

 the name has actually appeared in print, but was too 

 ridiculous for acceptance, so the dreadful point was 

 avoided by calling the place " Higher Lodge, 

 Baronsdown." This is veritably a case of " Much 

 ado about nothing." A pig's louse, or loose, is good 

 old West-country English for a pig's stye or 

 enclosure, more particularly the enclosure to which 

 the herds of swine were driven at night from feeding. 

 As such the word is frequently met with in old 

 documents and deeds, and is common in the district. 

 The names Loosehall Wood and Lousy Thorn will 

 occur at once to every staghunter. The particular 

 louse, or enclosure, which gave its name to Lousy 

 Gate was that to which the swine were driven at 

 night which roamed in search of acorns and beech- 

 mast, in exercise of the right of " pannage," in 

 " Swinescleeve," at the upper side of which Lousy 

 Gate is situated. 



Hounds meet at Haddon a great many times in the 

 course of the season, for it is a sure find, and, indeed, 

 so large has been the herd of late years that Mr. Ian 

 Amory has had many " invitation " days there during 

 the hindhunting season, and has enjoyed some 

 excellent runs. 



Haddon is, however, far from being a popular meet 

 — except for the carriage people ; for them it is a 

 perfect paradise. It is approached by fair roads, 

 and Haddon deer show a marked predilection for 

 running through the coverts in and near the Exe 



