THE ROYAJL WINDSOR HUNT. 65 



the Deer, in Yorkshire. The example of His Majesty, so attached to this chase, 

 may probably have rescued it nearly from oblivion, and the annual expense has 

 become a public one, and the Master of the Stag-Hounds upon Windsor Forest, 

 always a man of rank, enjoys a considerable salary. 



The periods, etiquette, and ceremony of the STAG HUNT, are matter of novelty 

 in many parts of the Country, even to Sportsmen. The Season commences on 

 Windsor Forest, September 25, Holyrood Day, and continues on every Tuesday 

 and Saturday, till the first Saturday in May, Christmas and Easter Weeks being 

 excepted, when they hunt three alternate days in each. Holyrood Day and 

 Easter Monday are the two grand days of the Season, on which, the King being pre- 

 sent, and the assemblage of Hunters of rank, and of all descriptions, numerous, the 

 Spectacle used to afford ideas of the grandeur and consequence of ancient hunting. 



Singling from the Herd, or turning out a Deer, is said to be a grand and affecting 

 sight. Or an out-lying Deer is drawn for, and unharboured in some of the 

 neighbouring woods, Stag, Hind, or Havior. The intended object of chase is then 

 conveyed in the covered Deer -cart, from the paddocks, which are the lair of the 

 breeding-herd, and where the hunting deer are confined and regularly corn-fed, 

 to keep them in heart and condition. From thence they reach the place appointed 

 for them to throw off, generally about ten o'clock, of which Sportsmen who fre- 

 quent the hunt, are always well informed. About half a mile from the deer-cart, 

 arrived at its station, the pack is kept in waiting, under the command of the 

 Huntsman, who is surrounded by his assistant Whippers-in, or as they are styled 

 in the Royal-hunt, Yeoman-prickers, superbly clad in short hunting jackets of 

 scarlet and gold, part of them provided with French Horns, the appropriate 

 instrumental music of the chase, which so sonorously and cheerfully alternates 

 with the vocal. This description of a Royal Deer Hunt, gives ideas sufficiently 

 applicable in essentials, to the general mode of hunting that animal. 



At this moment, behold a most interesting and imposing spectacle, equally grand 

 and gay. A numerous assemblage of the princely, the noble, and the wealthy, in 

 their attractively neat and appropriate, yet costly habiliments and furniture, with 

 their attendants equally well appointed, and mounted upon their high-bred 

 hunters, which pace, curvet, and paw the earth, agitated by the same impatience 

 which inspires their masters, for the important moment so near at hand it arrives, 

 the deer is liberated from the cart, and breaking away, favoured by the accustomed 

 law, two of the Yeoman Prickers start in company with it, in such parallel direc- 

 tions, right and left, as not to lose sight of his course, so long as they are able to 

 hold him in view. By this means they acquire an advance upon the hounds of 

 four or five miles ; and are enabled to assist in stopping them at any required 

 point, more particularly should they break away, or get too much a head of the 

 horsemen who follow ; but for which precaution, none but those capitally mounted 

 and such never constitutes the majority in a hunt, would scarcely ever again 



