superior in this respect to Dunster and Minehead on the other side of the county. These are both favourite resorts of hunting people and tourists. They are not very near to any of the meets (except one, reputed the worst in the country), and it is always a long way both out and back from them to the Dulverton fixtures; but the West Somerset Foxhounds and Minehead Harriers are kennelled near, and they have a good many advantages in other ways, especially on non-hunting days; moreover, they are the only places from which you can hunt in comfort both on Exmoor and on the Quantocks. Porlock and Porlock Weir are too much at one end to be very suitable for those who wish to attend every fixture, but are excellent homes for those who only want to hunt on the north, which is the side of the country where the sport is best and the meets most numerous. I suppose one-third of all the deer killed die within three miles of Porlock Church, and certainly for the winter hind-hunting no more desirable quarters can be found. The Exmoor Foxhounds are generally within reach, as they are also from Lynton and Lynmouth; but these last are at one corner of the country, so the distance to the meets of the Staghounds is seldom less than eight miles, and the ride home after hunting generally more. Simonsbath has most of the advantages of Exford except that of the telegraph office, and most of its disadvantages, being rather farther from nearly all the meets, though rather nearer to a station. The local guide-books give full information as to hotels; but I may mention that most of the clergy are ready to let their parsonages to hunting visitors during the autumn months, and that many of the farmers take lodgers. Mr. Sanders had a printed list of lodgings prepared in 1895 which is procurable at the kennels. Horses can be hired from Taunton, Barnstaple, and South Molton, as also at any of the places named, except Simonsbath, Cutcombe and Winsford. Visitors who bring their own horses with them will do well to make sure beforehand that the stabling offered them is suitable, for it is by no means good everywhere. It can be very cold on the moor, even in September, as well as very hot, so warm clothing should not be forgotten for either man or beast. THE COOKERY OF VENISON VENISON plays so important a part in the story of the human race, that volumes might be devoted to it. But even in the merest sketch in outline, it must be treated historically, romantically and practically. We must go back to the birth of the world as we know it, and to the opening chapters of Genesis. When our first parents exchanged the fig-leaves for skins, we believe all commentators are agreed that their rudimentary costume was a dress of deer-hide. As they had been expelled from their garden, and had neither ploughed nor sown, we take it for granted that they lived on the game they killed. The patriarch Isaac had flocks and herds in abundance, but although the world's grey fathers,' like the Bedouin, lived chiefly on a ilk diet-on curds and koumiss, and light dairy preparations-Isaac seems to have been a gourmet. He loved savoury meat, and had a predilection for venison or rather antelope |