OFFENBURG. 233 



CHAPTER XVII. 



OFFENBURG DUCHY OF BADEN M. VOELKER's CHASSE BADEN AND THE 



MURGTHAL THE KINZIGTHAL RHEIN BISCHOFFSHEIM BARON SELDER- 



NECK CAPERCAILZIE SHOOTING ENORMOUS QUANTITIES OF GAME 

 WOODCOCKS. 



AMONGST the various localities to which erratic fate has 

 directed my steps, either as a temporary retreat from the busy 

 haunts of men, or for the sake of retirement and economy, 

 always, be it understood, accompanied with that, to me, sine 

 qud non, facility for shooting and fishing, none hold a more 

 distinguished place in. my recollection than Offenburg and 

 its neighbourhood, now within an easy half-hour by rail 

 of Strasburg, and situated on nearly the centre of that 

 most agreeable and convenient railway that extends from 

 Basle to Frankfort, and conducts the traveller through lovely 

 scenery (which he has not much time to admire) beautiful 

 German watering-places capitals of Grand Duchies and 

 commercial cities, in the space of a few hours, which, when 

 I first visited these districts, it would have taken any rea- 

 sonable being at least a fortnight to traverse. 



Offenburg is, and was a long time ago, associated in my 

 mind, and that of many another Englishman, past arid pre- 

 sent, with the name of George Pfaeler, the worthy host of 

 the " Fortuna Hotel," who has since achieved for himself a 

 sort of European reputation, by the introduction of the wines 

 of his own manufacture and district, not only into Great 

 Britain, but most of her colonies, and is still better known 

 and appreciated for that liberality of character, kindness and 

 urbanity of disposition, that have not only obtained for him 



