158 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



an inscription indicating the place where it was hunted and slain. 

 They are probably the oldest heads in the country of which the 

 precise history is known. Thomas Hearne, the antiquary has 

 left a pleasing account of a visit which he paid to this house in 

 June, 1718. He was struck with its situation on the side of a 

 hill, within a park two miles in compass, and adorned with 

 marvellous pleasant woods. " This old house," he says ('Reliquse 

 Hearnianse,' vol. ii. pp. 68, 69), " is a very notable thing, and I 

 think I was never better pleased with any sight whatsoever than 

 with this house. * * * We passed through the kitchen, and 

 came into the great hall, which is above nine yards in length and 

 is eight yards and a half in breadth. I was mightily delighted 

 with the sight of this old hall, and was pleased the more because 

 it is adorned with old stag's horns, under some of which are the 

 following inscriptions on brass plates, which are the only inscrip- 

 tions I ever saw of the kind " : — 



i. 1608. August 24. Satursday. 



From Foxhole coppice rouzd, Great Britain's king I fled ; 

 But what ? in Kiddington Pond he overtoke me dead. 



11. 1608. August 26. Munday. 

 King James made me to run for life, from Deadman's riding 

 I ran to Soreil gate, where death for me was biding. 



in. 1608. August 27. Tuesday. 

 The king pursude me fast from Grange coppice flying 

 The king did hunt me living, the queen's parke had me dying. 



iv. 1610. August 22. Wednesday. 

 In Henly knap to hunt me King James, Prince Henry found me, 

 Cornebury parke river, to end their hunting, drownd me. 



v. 1610. August 24. Friday. 



The king and prince from Grange made me to make my race 

 But death neere the queenes parke gave me a resting place. 



vi. 1610. August 25. Satursday. 



From Foxhole driven, what could I doe, being lame ? I fell 

 Before the king and prince, neere Rosamond her well. 



