THE WILD STAG ON EXMOOR. 231 



presence cannot be tolerated in the market place or at the dinner 

 table ; and he quickly learns that neither in North Devon or 

 West Somerset is there room or greeting for such as him. 



A meet of the staghounds on Exmoor has none of the smart 

 appearance and showy concomitants of a meet of foxhounds in a 

 fashionable country. On the contrary, neither in general effect 

 nor in individual detail can it be designated as even neat. The 

 hounds are (especially the remainder of the old pack) exceed- 

 ingly even, powerful and imposing ; the huntsman and whip are 

 well dressed and mounted ; and the Master shows in example 

 the attention to completeness of appearance which he insists 

 upon in his establishment. But beyond this, there is a rough 

 and ready, if pleasant and hearty, look about all that meets the 

 eye. Dress is a matter regarded only from the point of utility : 

 leathers are unknown and with leathers, of course, are avoided 

 the whole structure of vanities, of which those snowy cares are 

 the keystone. A pink coat is to be seen here and there ; but 

 (no offence to wearers) so apart are they from the surroundings 

 that they catch the eye little less than would a court dress at a 

 cricket match. No, it is satisfactory to be able to tell fox-hunt- 

 ing friends who may meditate a journey westward, that they 

 may give their valet a holiday ; and may safely limit their hunt- 

 ing kit to a billycock hat, an old shooting coat, butcher boots, 

 and a pair or two of coloured cords rather too shabby to give 

 away and this without finding themselves at all remarkable. 

 They may make up their minds to be drenched to the skin 

 almost daily ; and a covert coat is not unuseful for the journey 

 to the meet : but if recent experiences may serve as a guide, I 

 should say that a waterproof is scarcely a desirable extra, in 

 which to ride a run in August. But one can afford to get wet 

 with the thermometer somewhere about 70 ; and though there 

 would appear to be always scent enough to follow a deer, rain 

 cannot be by any means detrimental to that very necessary 

 agent. 



On Friday, August 29 (Hawkcombe Head). A stag of great 

 size had been harboured in the wood immediately above For- 



