20 The Natural History 



them to take every deer in this forest alive, and convey 

 them in carts to Windsor. In the course of the summer 

 they caught every stag, some of which showed extra- 

 ordinary diversion; but, in the following winter, when the 

 hinds were also carried off, such fine chases were ex- 

 hibited as served the country people for matter of talk 

 and wonder for years afterwards. I saw myself one of 

 the yeomen-prickers single out a stag from the herd, and 

 must confess that it was the most curious feat of activity 

 I ever beheld, superior to anything in Mr. Astley's riding- 

 school. The exertions made by the horse and deer much 

 exceeded all my expectations ; though the former greatly 

 excelled the latter in speed. When the devoted deer 

 was separated from his companions, they gave him, by 

 their watches, law, as they called it, for twenty minutes ; 

 when, sounding their horns, the stop-dogs were permitted 

 to pursue, and a most gallant scene ensued. 



LETTER VII 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Though large herds of deer do much harm to the 

 neighbourhood, yet the injury to the morals of the people 

 is of more moment than the loss of their crops. The 

 temptation is irresistible ; for most men are sportsmen 

 by constitution : and there is such an inherent spirit for 

 hunting in human nature, as scarce any inhibitions can 

 restrain. Hence, towards the beginning of this century, 

 all this country was wild about deer-stealing. Unless he 

 was a hunter^ as they affected to call themselves, no 

 young person was allowed to be possessed of manhood 

 or gallantry. The AValtham blacks at length committed 

 such enormities, that government was forced to interfere 

 with that severe and sanguinary act called the Black Act,^ 

 which now comprehends more felonies than any law that 



* Statute 9 Geo. I. c. 22. 



