CHAPTER XXV, 



THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW. 



THE 24th of August seems destined to be linked with 

 memories of slaughter. For ages it has been re- 

 membered in connection with the Massacre of the 

 Huguenots. Nowadays in Germany it is associated 

 with very different bloodshed being the day fixed 

 by law for the opening of the shooting season for 

 partridges, pheasants, quail, and hares. 



As a matter of fact, however, there is practically no 

 pheasant-shooting done so early in the year ; and on 

 many preserves hares are also given an additional 

 three weeks' grace, in consideration of their breeding 

 operations not having ceased at the earlier date. So 

 it is really looked upon as the opening day of the 

 shooting season for partridges and quail. 



Not many years ago I found myself in Southern 

 Germany on the date in question, and resident, 

 moreover, with a typical German sportsman. Now it 

 may be prejudice on my part, but I must admit that 

 the German sportsman as a sportsman is not by 

 any means an object of admiration to me. In certain 

 types of woodcraft they are undoubtedly far in advance 

 of us. But for dogmatic self-assertion and confidence 



