10 MAY 1902, Page 12

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

RICHMOND PARK AS A MANCEUVRING GROUND.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOH:1

Sin,—The remark appended by you to the letter of "F. L." in the Spectator of May 3rd—viz., that the hinds and fawns would get accustomed to the Volunteers—is amply confirmed by the well-known behaviour of the fallow deer in the Phcenix Park, Dublin, during reviews. On the so-called "Fifteen Acres" in that well-known Park, where all the large reviews of the garrison have been held from time immemorial, the grazing is particularly good, and so affected by the deer, of which there are seldom less than seven hundred in the Park, that on the occasions mentioned a large herd may nearly always be seen browsing peacefully in the space immediately intervening between the long "thin red line" on one side and the vast host of noisy spectators opposite. Not- withstanding the feu de joie of the infantry, the booming of the saluting batteries, and the cheering of the crowds, nothing disturbs the herd. Cavalry spaced at intervals are at times sent out in the vain attempt to drive away the deer, who evidently treat this as a joke, first leisurely trot away in front of the troopers. and then, having got to the end of the ground, gallop swiftly round the flanks and resume their grazing in the old spot, to the no small hilarity of the assembled crowds. It is only quite at the very end of the review, when the whole of the line, of perhaps half-a-mile in length, advances for the general salute, and thus threatens absolutely to close in the herd, that the latter gallops off for the moment and clears the ground. This, with many other facts which could be adduced, clearly proves the hollowness of the reasons which have been given for not throwing open Rich- mond Park in the manner you have most properly advocated.