DEER-STALKING. 203 



were occupying one of the posts of honour at a 

 " corner " in a battue. Here, as there, protection 

 hedges you round, and not only that, but hedges 

 round with still more exclusive barriers the splendid 

 Royal, whom you have vainly pursued all day, and 

 regard as the ne plus ultra of animated wildness. 

 Your host draws round him a cordon of privacy, 

 or he would not be here; he even, perhaps, feeds 

 him in the winter, though this is now, I believe, 

 admitted to be a mistake, unless you are prepared 

 always to continue such " rate in aid " ; for deer, 

 like their human fellows, become demoralised and 

 pauperised by this system, and will in future years, 

 whenever the least pinch occurs, always look to 

 you for help, and never attempt to help themselves ; 

 so that practically you both of you 



" Feed on one vain patron and enjoy 

 Th* extensive blessing of his luxury." 



He- 



" Feasts the animal he dooms his feast, 

 And, till he ends the being, makes it blest." 



