His majesty’s stag-hounds pass under this denomination, as a part of the
royal establishment continued in every successive reign without
variation. The kennel in which they are kept is situate near the race
course upon Ascot Heath; at the distance of two short miles from which
is Swinley-lodge, the official residence of the master of the
stag-hounds, an appointment seldom conferred but upon one of the
peerage, and is considered an office of honour, with a salary of
2,000_l._ per annum. The presence of the master of the stag-hounds in
the field is not a matter of necessity, but choice, except when his
majesty hunts, and then his personal attendance is indispensable; his
badge of office is a pair of gold dog couples, which hang suspended from
a belt on his left side. The huntsman has a handsome residence at the
kennel, with a salary of 125_l._ a year; to whom there are six
assistants, (called yeomen prickers) each having a salary of 104_l._
with the royal livery richly ornamented, and an annual supply of
saddles, bridles, horse-clothes, and the necessary stable appendages;
but they find their own horses.
The hunting season commences on Holyrood day, the 25th of September, and
continues every Tuesday and Saturday till the first week in May; with
the exception of Christmas and Easter weeks, when they hunt three times
in each. Holyrood day and Easter Monday, are two grand days of the year
for company, when the field is extremely numerous. His majesty has also
a pack of harriers, which are kept at the Little Park Lodge, near
Windsor, and these he hunts constantly in Windsor Great Park, and the
surrounding neighbourhood; they are, however, a private concern of his
majesty’s, and not included in the regular Crown establishment.