THE CHASSE NEAR HAMBURG. 307 



King of Denmark, we did not perceive any want of popula- 

 tion, for at the rendezvous, which was a solitary cabin, we 

 found an army of beaters more numerous than those I have 



before mentioned at the Princess of G- 's, in Prussia. 



Their number astonished me, and the explanation of the 

 cause still more. At the very gates of a free town, I under- 

 stood that when the chasse in the royal forests of Denmark 

 was duly proclaimed by the appointed officers, and for the 

 profit of their master, the beaters are summoned by requisi- 

 tion, and arrive from all points of the compass without 

 receiving either pay or food. 



Another singular circumstance connected with this day 

 remains implanted in my memory. When we had arrived 

 at the entrance of the first wood we were about to drive, 

 and the poor conscript-beaters were sent to take up their 

 posts, the sportsmen arranged themselves in a circle round 

 the oberforster who commanded the double army. Having 

 mounted a small eminence, he read with a loud voice, from a 

 paper which he held in his hand, the laws and ordinances of 

 the chasse, in very nearly these terms : 



" A fine of eight schillings'* will be levied from each chas- 

 seur who does not put himself in communication with his 

 neighbours to the right and the left before the battue com- 

 mences, that he may both see them and be seen by them. 



" A fine of one mark against each individual who does not 

 carry his gun in a horizontal position over the shoulder 

 whilst marching in company. 



" A fine of three marks twelve schellings from any one who 

 is perceived to have his gun cocked whilst in company with 

 others." 



This comprises the first clause of the regulations, and 



* The schelling is not quite twopence ; sixteen make a mark -current, 

 and twenty a mark-banco. 



