GREAT CHASSE. 443 



part, or his deputy, is allowed to destroy it. Formerly when 

 swan-skin pelisses and muffs were the fashion, and that 

 toupees, which required an immense number of powder- 

 puffs, were worn, swan-skins* were as valuable as those of 

 the fox; and from producing the Governor a considerable 

 revenue, these birds were much sought after. But now that 

 the articles enumerated are pretty much laid aside, swans are 

 of comparatively little value, and at this day they are cap- 

 tured nearly as much for amusement as emolument. 



In the olden time in the palmy days of powder-puffs, 

 &c. several grand battues were annually got up, in the 

 moulting season, for the capture of the mute swan ; but now 

 seldom more than one regular hunt takes place within the 

 year. It was my fortune to be present on one of these 

 occasions ; but though we saw a good many birds, yet 

 owing to the hunt having been put off too long, and until 

 they had finished moulting, it proved all but a total failure. 

 As nevertheless a swan-hunt is somewhat of a novel kind of 

 thing, a few details, partly the result of my own observation, 

 and partly gathered from the Count Corfitz Beckfriis, with 

 whom I was a visitor, and who commanded the hunt in which 

 I took part, may not be without interest. 



In the day time, it may be proper to observe, the swans 

 most commonly keep the open sea; but towards evening 

 they make for the bays and inlets, for the purpose of feed- 

 ing in the shallows ; and it is in these bays that the great 

 hunts in question take place. 



As with Skalls for wild beasts, the peasants in the 

 Government of Malmo at least are compelled by law to 



* In bygone days the broad feet, or rather legs of the swan, after being 

 stretched and dried, were converted into candlesticks. 



