The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the FieldTaplin, William
Science
The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field
Taplin, William
Hunting -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Dictionaries
STAG, OR RED DEER.—The STAG and HIND are the _male_ and _female_ of this
tribe, as the BUCK and DOE are of the _fallow_ deer. The latter are
mostly the natives of parks, and bred for domestic purposes, producing
venison for the table; the former are the majestic inhabitants of those
extensive and sequestered tracts called FORESTS and CHACES, where they
are preserved as more peculiarly appropriated to the pleasures of the
chase, in which even his MAJESTY, with his hunting retinue, condescends
to engage. The STAG, individually surveyed, is one of the grandest and
most stately figures in the animal creation; his very appearance
instantly exciting attention and admiration. Naturally disposed to
solitude, he never obtrudes upon the haunt of man, but revels in the
remote and obscure shades of abstrusity. When caught sight of amidst the
umbrageous stillness of his abode, the grandeur, lofty look, and
commanding aspect, of his first survey, cannot be encountered without
the most aweful and impressive sensations. With ample power to oppose,
he has pliability to submit, and, after a few moments interview,
deliberately retires to his protecting covert, seemingly more
_surprized_ than _alarmed_ at the sight of the HUMAN SPECIES.
In the dignity of his deportment he stands unrivalled, and may, with
allegorical propriety, be considered the hereditary MONARCH of the
WOODS, as every other animal is observed to give way upon his approach.
In his peaceable and undisturbed retirement, he is perfectly tranquil
and inoffensive, displaying no antipathy or opposition to those who come
not in _hostility_ to him. His form is the most sublime and beautiful
that can possibly be conceived; the elegance of his figure, the
commanding effect of his stature, the flexibility of his frame, the
elasticity of his limbs, the velocity of his motion, and the
proportional immensity of his strength, in addition to the impression
made upon the mind by the magnific grandeur of the antlers, branching
from his brow, all seem uniformly calculated to render him an object of
the most serious and pleasing attraction.
The RED DEER, formerly so plentiful to be found in different remote
parts of ENGLAND, the Highlands of SCOTLAND, and the Lake of Killarney,
in IRELAND, are greatly reduced, and but very rarely to be found in a
wild and unpreserved state in either. This must of course be attributed
to the more advantageous distribution and cultivation of land, and the
improved state of every country. STAGS, or HINDS, were then found
_singly_, and hunted or pursued by those who happened to find them; but
now in the Forest of Windsor, and the New Forest in Hampshire, where
they are bred and protected for the ROYAL CHASE, they assemble together;
and upon Ascot Heath, near Swinley Lodge, (the official residence of the
Master of his Majesty's Stag Hounds,) may be seen the largest herd in
the King's dominions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account