io8 STAG-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 



have their days. It would also be difficult to say whether 

 stags or hinds do best. Stags are, of course, the stronger, 

 and the great long-distance runs have almost invariably 

 been after stags or haviers. But towards the end of the 

 season, say about March, when the country dries up and 

 the fallows look pale and the pastures sallow, I like a 

 hind best. They are gayer, and run the roads less than 

 stags or haviers. I remember a wonderfully good fifty-five 

 minutes with a hind named Hawthorn. The meet was 

 unfashionable — Ascot Heath, which at that time of year 

 means the Forest. We turned her out on the verge, close to 

 South Hill Gate. She went straight out into the open 

 towards Wokingham, and we never saw her till we took her 

 after an eight-mile point. There may have been one or two 

 natural checks, but I never stopped hounds once, and we 

 were galloping all the time. Mr. T. Donovan, of Cork, was 

 much delighted. He was at that time living and dealing at 

 Eeading, and a famous neighbour ; for if, as often happened, 

 we were short of horses, he would always lend us one. The 

 South Berks woodlands and Mr. Garth's heather were little 

 to his liking. He frequently took his gods to witness that 

 the Queen's Hounds kept him alive, and he used to assure 

 us of a cordial welcome if the Royal establishment could be 

 permanently transferred to Ireland. I remember that day 

 particularly, as we both rather mismanaged our hunting 

 seats over some strong black rails which a small boy on a 

 white pony with a crupper had jumped like an antelope. 

 Timber is an unusual fence in the Queen's country. It 

 seemed unjust ; and a nervous surprise is not the frame of 

 mind in which to ride at this sort of obstacle. 



It is often impossible to account for a deer's actions. In 

 1892 Lord Clanwilliam, a havier named after the distinguished 

 Admiral who assisted in capturing him in Englemere pond 

 the first day he was ever hunted, ran us out of daylight after 



