( 276 ) 



laid a heavy fine on their lands ; an acknow- 

 ledgment of which was paid into the exchequer 

 fo late as in the reign of Elizabeth*. Hatch- 

 ings, in his hiftory of Dorfetfhire, fays it is 

 paid to this day-f-. 



Inftances of favourite ftags, and of the 

 warmth, with which mankind have efpoufed 

 their caufe, when injured, occur fo frequently 

 that Virgil thought a circumftance of this kind 

 a proper incident for the whole plot of his 

 iEneid to turn on : 



, quoe prima maloium 



Caufa fuit, belloque animos accendit agreftes. 

 Cervus erat forma praeftantij 



In general, the ftag is a harmlefs, inoffenfive 

 animal. At one feafon only, when he is en- 

 gaged in his feraglio, he is fierce. You hear 

 him roaring, and bellowing, at that time, 

 about the foreft ; meditating revenge on his 

 rival, whom he meets, head to head, and foot 

 to foot. While he is able with his antlers 

 to parry the attack, he ftands his ground: 



* See Camden's Brit, page 59. 



f Vol. II. page 492. 



X JEti. VII. 481. 



and 



