niEASAXT SIIOOTIXG AT WINDSOR. G:3 



With respect to the party that were at tin's battue, I 

 have the same melancholy report to make. They are 

 all ill their graves ! Two of them died in the prime 

 of life ; one, a baronet, of consumption in the island of 

 INIadeira. I feel most grateful to Providence that, not- 

 withstanding all the vicissitudes of my life, I have been 

 spared so long, and in the enjoyment of good health, 

 surrounded by my children and grandchildren. 



The pheasants belonging to royalty require to be 

 well fed, as well as those of noblemen and gentlemen, to 

 prevent their going to feed on the farms adjacent, be- 

 longing to private individuals, who, in consideration that 

 the birds feed on their stubbles, may fairly feel justified 

 in shooting some of them. This opinion, with some 

 others, I must own I entertained when I was quartered 

 at Windsor, in 1817, with a battalion of the Guards. 

 There was an arable farm, between one and two hundred 

 acres, situated very near Windsor Park. The property 



belonged to the Hon. Colonel K , whose son was a 



captain in the regiment, and was fond of shooting as 

 well as myself. Now as the royal pheasants had, I sus- 

 pect at that time frequently, un jour maigre, they 

 came in the afternoon from Windsor Park into the 

 fields of this farm. The Captain and myself often 

 manoeuvred with our dogs to cut off their retreat, and I 

 recollect on one occasion killing a brace right and left 



2000 pheasants. Monstrous slaughter ! Half or two thii-ds of these birds 

 were brought up under hens. In the coiu'se of the week the party shot near 

 7000 head of game. The only shooting this can be compared to are the 

 great battues in some parts of Austria and Hxmgarj% in the extensive 

 forests of those countries. But then ^vild boars, -wolTes, and stags form 

 part of the animals slaughtered : noble game when compared to the poor 

 pheasants. 



