236 



.S' TA G-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 



which went with the Lodge. A faded outhne of the pleasure 

 grounds, the tangled vestiges of the shrubbery may still be 

 traced. The Master cannot live in his stand on Ascot 

 Heath, and I think he ought to have a habitation where 

 he can take shelter after his inevitable sins of omission 

 and commission as regards the Eoyal enclosure, that most 

 thorny field of his later-day patronage. Swinley Lodge 

 may have been a little shut-in and wanting in view in 



Swinley Lodge, the old Eesidence of the Master of the Buckhounds 



winter-time, but the stately limes, the spangled thorns, 

 the close companionship of the forest and forest sights and 

 sounds must have made it a perfect summer house. A great 

 deal of eating and drinking used to go on at Swinley, and 

 every fourth of June the Master used to give a dinner to 

 all the farmers and foresters. Twice or thrice the Boyalty 

 drove over from Windsor and watched the dancing on 

 the green in front of the house. Hunting was expected to 



