OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 57 



of Madame la Comptesse, though at the same 

 time I had a respectable witness, the son of an 

 English clergyman, to prove to the contrary ; 

 they would not, however, allow him to give his 

 evidence, but without hesitation fined me, and I 

 had all the expenses to pay. 



Again, I cannot resist relating what seemed a 

 flagrant instance of illiberality and oppression. I 

 went out one morning with my dog and gun, to 

 endeavour to kill a bird for a sick father-in-law. 

 I did not leave home till after eleven o'clock. 

 On my way I met the keeper, and informed him 

 of the country I was going to beat ; he answered, 

 ^^fort Men, Monsieur." Shortly afterwards, in a 

 small field of beet root, I killed an unfortunate 

 quail : some people were at work at the very 

 time on a public road near the spot, and a shepherd 

 was keeping some sheep a mile at least from the 

 field. The next morning, I was informed by a 

 friend a proces verbal was made against me, that 

 I had killed a doe hare with young, close to the 

 proprietor's chateau. I answered, " it is impos- 

 sible ; I am not aware I was on his land ; and 

 as to a beau lievre, I did not see one the whole 

 day." Still, however, the shepherd, a perfect 

 stranger, and a mile off at the time, swore to 

 my person, and insisted that I had killed a hare 

 with young. Thus I had no alternative but 



