£64 COVERT-SIDE SKETCHES. 



larly if the last mile or two is run in view, when such is the 

 case, the deer exerts all his utmost and remaining power to take 

 the soil, if water is within his reach. This he sometimes does 

 with the hounds so close to his haunches that it is impossible 

 to prevent their plunging with him into the stream. In such 

 a predicament, if it is found impracticable to draw off the 

 hounds to insure his safety, the yeomen prickers and others are 

 frequently seen above their middles in water (uncertain of its 

 depth) to preserve the life of the deer at the hazard of their own. 

 This may be considered by the recluse and cynic a degree of 

 valour beyond discretion ; but the debt of humanity, like the 

 Hibernian major's word in the comedy, is a debt of honour, and 

 must be paid." 



Such is a description of a stag-hunt when George the Third 

 was king, and in most of its points it may stand for the present 

 day, though much of the parade and ceremony is now dispensed 

 with, even at a meet of her Majesty's stag-hounds, and no 

 yeomen prickers with their French horns are to be seen ; while 

 as to riding forward on the line of the deer, the public usually 

 take that ofi&ce on themselves (especially if there is a convenient 

 road}, much to the annoyance of both huntsman and hounds. 

 The author of the last century, it must be owned, was much 

 inclined to magnify his office, and did not allow it to want 

 in dignity for the lack of high-sounding phrases and big words, 

 and he seems to be describing rather a royal pageant or pro- 

 cession than a run with hounds. One thing he certainly bears 

 testimony to — the speed of the old stag-hound — for of them the 

 account was written, when he says that only blood horses could 

 go by their side. 



A peculiarity connected with hunting the carted deer I have 

 not yet mentioned is that so many appear to think a gallop 

 after him a fitting finale to the season ; and about the last week 

 in March, or the first in April, we see men sending off a couple 

 of horses or more to have a day or two with the Queen's or 

 the Baron's, who, in all probability, would never think of 



