The Habits of Deer, SI 



Mr. Smitli, as we have said, had early cul- 

 tivated a habit of observation of the animals 

 that he followed ; and this enabled him not only 

 to paint them, but to explain to others points 

 in their habits that were "posers'' to people 

 who had not kept their eyes open as wide as 

 he did. This soon became known ; and accord- 

 ingly he became a kind of oracle, often con- 

 sulted, though very probably his advice was 

 not always followed. Sir George Eose once 

 called on him for the purpose of stating the 

 following " case ;" and his observation of the 

 habits of the wild deer on Exmoor enabled 

 him to reply satisfactorily. A party of gen- 

 tlemen, having ISTew Forest keepers and blood- 

 hounds with them, chased an old stag until 

 their horses would go no further, and only 

 three of the hounds kept on the line. One of 

 the keepers got a fresh horse, and went to look 

 after them. He found the hounds lying down 

 utterly exhausted a short distance from each 

 other ; and only a hundred yards oJQf the fore- 



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