The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-16 00:00:00

STAG HUNT AT FONTAINEBLEAU.

The following partientars of the stag-hunt at Fon •
tainebleau are taken from Galignani's Messenger :
" The grand stag-hunt' whim inaugurated the
residence of the Court at this Imperial Palace, was
of the most interesting descripiion. The weather
vas delightful, and tee appearance of the forest
mo-t picturesque, is light green covering just
assuming the strength and beauty of summer foli-
age. Tile sun was not too bright, and a gentle
breeze fanned the air ; in fact, a more propitious
day could not be wished fur. The place of rendez-
vous was the Caxrefour de la Croix de St. Herein,
situated ou the road from Fontainebleau to Ne-
mours At 11 o'clock a number of carriages of all
kinds arrived from every quarter, and took up their
station at each side of the road near the Carrefour.
Admirably mounted horsemen came in every
instant, apparently the cavaliers of the fashion-
ably-dressed ladies in ihe carriages.. This con-
stant series of arrivals constituted a scene of the
greatest animation, awl the excitement was in-
creased when, at a little after 12, were seen
advancing a number of hounds c nducted in leash
by three of the Imperial crrooms on foot, accompa-
nied by two mounted huntsmen. Tht se men were
all dressed in the Emperor's hunting livery—green
coat trimmest with silver lac,, red unmentionables,
,and laced The huntsmen had each.his bora
suspended from the shoulder, and the hunting-
haneer was suspende lon the !&f,, side. At a quat-
ter-past one the Imperial party made their appear-
ance from the Palace, -whin they left by the Cour
de Che Val Blanc. The cortege was compcs'.d of
several chars-d-banc and open carriages. In the
first char-a-banc were the Emperor and the Em-
press, occupying the front seat, with the Grand
Duke Constantine dud the Prince of Nassau behind,
their Majesties and the Princes being in the Court
hunting costume, consisting of a green coat with
gold lace, the waistcoat red, the lower part of the
dress being white, with high hunting hoots. The
hat Louis XV., a hanger, and a , whip completed
the costume. As soon as their Majesties ar-
rived at the Carrefour de St. Herein they and
their more immediate party got on horsehack,
grooms having brought *horses to the spot a fetf
minutes before. A considerable number of the
guests followed the example of their Majesties,
horses being provided fOr all ; and as the Empress
thought fit to follow the chase on horseback, of
course it was the fashion for the ladies to follow
the example, and accordingly, a considerable num-
ber of them appeared on horseback, and all in uni-
form. The ladies' costume was exactly of the same
character as that of the gentlemen, the habit being
green with criti son waistcoat, hat and feather, ana
gold lace. The Empress's horse was a mort beauti-
ful animal, remarkable for spirit, but her Majesty
sat him fearlessly, and
.proved herself a most ac-
complished horsewoman. When all the guests had
got on horseback, every one in the costume pre-
scribed by etiquette, the sight was an exceedingly
terling one : and the eager baying of the hounds,
the impatience of the horses, the animation of the
ride's, and noble forest for the back scene, were
in themselves worth coming twenty leagues to
see. But no great time was afforded for admir-
ing the scene, as the Emperor at once gave
the signal, and the chase commenced. The
Imperial party took what is known by the
name of the Route Ronde, and almost immediately
the stag was roused at no great distance from the
trysting place. The Emperor, Empress, Grand
Duke and Prince de Nassau were in the first line,
etiquette as Well as politeness interdicting their
being headed at the commencement of the hunt ;
afterwards when the incidents might become more
multiplied, why alors comme alors. Near the Em-
peror's partyrode MarshelMagnan, the grand hunts-
man, on an immensely powerful horse, which
seemed quite up to his great weight on the turf,
though it might be a very different thing were the
gallant marshal in Leicestershire. Gen. Ney, first
huntsman, was also in close attendance on their
Maje,ties. Behind came the other persons onhorse-
back, and last of all a number of chars-a-bane con-
taining such members of the Imperial party aslaved
better to trust their limbs to steel springs and strong
wheels than to the wild curvettings of some unruly
steed. At first only the privileged persons were al-
lowedto pass along the wide alleys of the forest in the .
immediate neighbourhood of the place of rendez-
vous ; but, afterwards, when the hunt stretched
out in the distance,'all attempts at hindrance were
useless, and when at last all advanced some few
were fortunate to bit on a aide path, bringing them
near, that the stag had taken. It was thought that
the stag would make iat once for the Mare aux
Bceufs, and then stand at bay ; and accordingly we
all made for that point. But we learned that the
animal had gone straight forward in the direction
of the Carrefour of the Croix de Souvray. Thera
we met with another disappointment, for one of
the piqeurs informed us that the stag had made a
detour, and doubled back towards the spot from
which it started. It was then about 3 o'clock. The
stag, on, approaching its lair, finding itself rather
closely pressed by the dogs, again made for the fo-
rest at greater speed than previously, and put-both
horses and riders on their mettle. At last the whole
hunt became more or less dispersed, but as the ani-
mal had returned to its starting-place the greater
number of the riders by degrees arrived at the Car-
refour St. Herem, and at 4 o'g-deck the Emperor
and his pariymade their appearance in the distance.
Prt,iently they drew nearer, and while the Empress
the Grand Duke, and the Prince of Nassau con-
tinued the chase in the direction of the Croix du
Grand Maitre, his Majesty came and gave an ac-
count to the persons assembled of what had taken
place. The run, it seemed, had been a splendid
one, and the stag was then to all appearance fresher
and stronger than at starting, and no one could say
when the animal would be 'forced,' as the phrase
is, or if that most desirable event would take place.
at all. But to the heated crowd cf fashionables
around, the stag was not at that moment of so
much importance as a drink of wine and water.
The day had become exceedingly warm, and the
rendered any potable refreshment most
desirable. Foi tunately a fourgon was near, and in
a moment everyone was attacking the contents of a
hamper filled with wine, and ariother containing beer.
Again and again they drank, and to their parched lips
the glass of wean wine and water seemed like nectar.
At last the party turned their horses' heads towards
the Palace, while the Emperor, accompanied by,
Marshal Magnan, galloped off towards the Gorge
aux Loups in the hope of falling in with the chase.
The stag and dogs had, however, long dashed be-
yond that spot, and it was useless to think of going
further on mete chance. Si) the Emperor returned
to the Palace, where the Empress and her party
had already arrived, at about 5 o'clock. At the
moment that I write no one can say taat the stag
has not been forced, but if so, the curee, or break-
ing-up of the animal, will take place to-night in the
court of the Palace."