246 DEER AND DEER PARKS. Ch. XI. 



to the owners, the Earl of Winchilsea, and Mr. Knight, I am obliged for 

 the following descriptive account : — 



' To those who may not be acquainted with the mode of taking up 

 deer for fattening, as practised at Eastwell and Godmersham, a few remarks 

 may not be uninteresting. The best time is immediately after the close of 

 the rutting season, say about the end of November. Three or four horsemen 

 are sufficient for the purpose ; a larger number are likely to terrify the deer, 

 and drive them about unnecessarily. To catch deer secundum artem, two 

 dogs are required — one on each side. When the keeper has pointed out the 

 deer he wishes to be taken up, a horseman rides into the herd in order to 

 separate him from the others. This operation requires a horse well in hand, 

 and well on his haunches, so as to turn quickly as the'deer turns. The dogs 

 also must be well trained, and under perfect command ;^ they are loose, and 

 follow the keeper's horse. As soon as the deer is singled out, he lays them 

 on by giving the signal " Hold him up " ; this may be done with steaSy 

 dogs even if a few does should break away with the buck, as the dogs will 

 take no notice of them, but stick to the male deer. If he happens to be 

 strong, and in good condition, the course may last for about a mile, but in 

 general the deer is brought to bay in a much shorter distance. The dogs 

 are trained to seize him by the ear, and no well-bred dog will fasten on any 

 other part ; when two that understand their business have thus pinioned a 

 deer, they hold him fast without a possibility of budging, until some one 

 can jump off his horse, and, catching hold of the deer by his hind legs, just 

 below his houghs, fling him on his side or back, in which position he 

 is easily held, till more strength arrives.' In this manner about sixty deer 

 are annually caught in the Park of Eastwell, and about twenty-five brace 

 in that of Godmersham. Lord Winchilsea adds that he has known sixteen 

 deer taken up, and turned out without an accident, in the course of one 

 day's catching. His lordship also remarks upon the importance of sewels, 



• The breed is peculiar to the parks of Eastwell and Godmersham, and described as smooth- 

 haired powerful greyhounds. 



