COUNT HARRACH. 515 



go back as far as Aschach, where Count Harrach 

 has a fine estate and chateau on the banks of the 

 Danube. Luckily the Count came to meet the 

 steamer, and, although a stranger, I was received 

 with that open-handed hospitality that a true 

 sportsman always extends to a brother disciple of 

 Saint Hubert. After lunch we drove in a mail 

 phaeton round the estate, and its flourishing con- 

 dition convinced me that the Count was a most 

 efficient agriculturist as well as a sportsman of no 

 common order. The pheasant preserves, which are 

 surrounded by a thick, impenetrable hedge, are the 

 most extensive and best contrived of any I have 

 seen on the Continent, being intersected by nume- 

 rous lawn-like drives, in one of which I observed 

 a rifle range and targets. The chateau is situated 

 in a beautiful well-wooded park, where pleasure- 

 grounds, verdant lawns, and groups of fine trees 

 reminded me of England. The stables, which form 

 a large courtyard, were in splendid order, and there 

 were at least a score of thorough-breds in difierent 

 stages of preparation, and some very likely-looking 

 hunters for cross-country purposes. 

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