DEER KIND. 323 



ing his stand, unbound his faggot, set up his stake, 

 and tied the end of the cord to that of his next 

 neighbour, at the distance of about ten feet one 

 from the other. Between each of these stakes 

 was hung a bunch of crimson feathers, and so dis- 

 posed, that with the least breath of wind they 

 would whirl round, and preserve a sort of flutter- 

 ing motion. This done, the persons who set up 

 the staves withdrew, and hid themselves in the 

 neighbouring coverts ; then the chief huntsman, 

 entering with his hounds within the lines, roused 

 the game with a full cry. The deer, frighted, and 

 flying on all sides, upon approaching the lines 

 were scared away by the fluttering of the feathers, 

 and wandered about within this artificial paling, 

 still awed by the shining and fluttering plumage 

 that encircled their retreat : the huntsman, how- 

 ever, still pursuing, and calling every person by 

 name as he passed by their stand, commanded 

 him to shoot the first, third, or sixth, as he pleased ; 

 and if any of them missed, or singled out another 

 than that assigned him, it was considered as a 

 most shameful mischance. In this manner, how- 

 ever, the whole herd was at last destroyed ; and 

 the day concluded with mirth and feasting. 



The stags of China are of a particular kind, for 

 they are no taller than a common house dog ; and 

 hunting them is one of the principal diversions of 

 the great. Their flesh, while young, is exceed- 

 ingly good; but when they arrive at maturity, 

 it begins to grow hard and tough : however, the 

 tongue, the muzzle, and the ears, are in parti- 

 cular esteem among that luxurious people. Their 



