

THE CHASSE IN PRUSSIA. 



CHAPTER XXL 



THE CHASSE IN PRUSSIA, 1845 AND 184G. 



AT Vienna I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance 



of the Prince F. S , who treated me with noble hospitality, 



and afforded me much excellent sport at his Chateau of 

 Marienthal at the foot of the Carpathian mountains. The 

 same good luck attended me at Berlin some short time sub- 

 sequently, where I received the kind permission of the 



Compte de R to inhabit the chateau as long as I pleased, 



and sport over his forests of Lancke. 



The journey was not long, as two-thirds of it were accom- 

 plished on the railway to Stettin, which connects Berlin with 

 its seaport, and terminates the great line between the 

 Baltic and Ostend. 



The chasse in preparation for the following day did not 

 commence, so far as I was concerned, under very happy 

 auspices. I had passed a night of anguish and torture at the 

 house of the Compte's bailiff, or intendant, not arising from, 

 any fears of tempests, robbers, or incendiaries, but still sleep- 

 less and wretched. The fact was, I had slept ! no, I had 

 occupied, a real Prussian bed ; and as many of my readers are 

 in all probability ignorant of what a Prussian bed consists, I 

 will attempt the description for their information and 

 guidance. A Prussian bed possesses neither mattress, sheet, 

 or counterpane. Summer and winter two narrow, short 

 " edredons" or sacks of down, enclosed in large pillow-cases, 

 one above and the other below, compose the whole material 

 of the sleeping accommodation. Upon going to bed it is 

 necessary to glide carefully between those two feather-beds, 



