110 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



as the rendezvous de la chasse. The Duke and his suite had 

 not yet arrived ; but we heard that a stag of ten was known 

 to be in a certain part of the woods, and that the huntsmen 

 only awaited the arrival of Monseigneur to attack him. 

 Several couples of very fine hounds, many of them of the 

 B.B. or Beaufort brand, were led about in leash by servants 

 of the hunt. These were the relays, to be posted at different 

 parts of the forest, where the wind, the nature of the ground, 

 or other circumstances, rendered it probable that the stag 

 would direct his course. Only a small portion of the pack 

 is thrown into cover at first, and as the chase progresses, 

 fresh relays are uncoupled ; so that, did not the deer take to 

 water in the end, which is generally the case, he would have 

 very little chance, on good scenting days, of outstripping his 

 pursuers. 



The forest is everywhere divided in a rectangular manner 

 by green rides or avenues, of greater or less breadth ; and 

 here and there an open plain, situated in the centre of the 

 woods, affords a chance of witnessing the chasse for a few 

 minutes, with all its beautiful details, which otherwise is 

 mostly carried on under cover of the forest, and little or 

 nothing seen of it, except when the deer and hounds cross 

 the rides. 



The huntsmen, piqueurs, and different employes of the 

 chasse, in their handsome uniforms, with their large French 

 horns slung around their necks, formed a very imposing 

 spectacle; and, although perhaps a little too fat, both dogs 

 and horses were in good condition. 



Presently, at the extremity of the avenue in which we 

 were stationed appeared the cortege of Monseigneur le Due de 

 Bourbon. Several ladies composed a part of his suite, and 

 every one was mounted on a fine English horse. On the 

 approach of the Prince all heads were uncovered; he bowed 

 most politely in return, and galloped away in company with 



