312 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



had not taken the part of the poor animals. At the moment 

 of its commencement, a fine but penetrating storm of snow, 

 accompanied by a north wind, covered our persons, and not 

 only half-blinded us, but thoroughly wetted both ourselves 

 and our guns, and whilst every one was firing almost by 

 chance, without judging of the distance, not more than one- 

 half of the guns exploded. Still, considering that not one 

 person killed a tenth of what he fired at, the execution was 

 enormous. 



I have already given my opinion of these battues. They 

 are regular massacres, which it is quite enough to witness 

 once or twice a year. One agreeable spectacle attending 

 this the last at which I was present in Prussia was the 

 gracious affability of the king and royal family to every one. 

 They conversed in the most familiar manner with all pre- 

 sent sportsmen, soldiers, and peasants, without being recog- 

 nised by any of them, and with nothing in their dress or 

 appearance to lead to such recognition. The other mag- 

 nates present followed their example ; generals, ambas- 

 sadors, counts, dukes, and princes had each drawn their 

 number in the lottery, and each occupied the place assigned 

 to him. As I before observed, the chasse levels all conditions, 

 and this is more evident in Germany than in any other part 

 of the world. 



