296 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



The Princess of S possessed at G- one of the most 



important seigneurial estates in Prussia. It is situated not 

 far from Frankfort-upon-the-Oder, in a rich valley watered 

 by this river rich, indeed, in comparison to the sandy steppes , 

 of the Spree which surround Berlin in all directions. These 

 plains are named the marshes of the Oder (Oder Brudi).? 

 Immense herds of horses, cattle, and sheep graze upon them, 

 and the value of the property is calculated by the number of 

 beasts, as in Kussia by the heads of peasants and the number 

 of souls. The Princess possessed more than six thousand 

 sheep, which would require a great extent of land. The soil 

 was also favourable to many kinds of agricultural produce, and, 

 although the snow was deep for we were now at the end of 

 December we could distinguish here and there, by their bare 

 and dried stalks, several large plantations of tobacco, the 

 leaves of which had already been employed in the fabrication 

 of Havannah and other cigars in the Government manu- 

 factory. But I rather think the marshes of the Oder are 

 more famous for their hares than their cigars. The great 



annual battues that take place at G may well be called 



royal, and the more so as the king often takes a part in 

 them, without any pomp or pretension, mixing up with the 

 chasseurs like brother- sportsmen, or equals. The chasse 

 possesses the same privileges as love and death it annuls all 

 distinctions. This year, however, affairs of state detained 

 his Majesty at Berlin, but the Prince of Prussia, his eldest 

 brother, had accepted the invitation' which was sent to him, 

 together with many other persons of distinction, and some 

 strangers, amongst whom I had the good fortune, through 

 the interest of a friend, to be included. We were received 



by the Princess and the Compte de S , her husband, in 



the most amiable manner, and with splendid hospitality. 



Upon arriving at nightfall at the chateau, many of the 

 guests who had preceded us had amused themselves during 



