Smyrna times., 1888-03-21

A Visit to the KenneIs-A Bit of Break
fast-The Meet and the start-Death
of the FOx-A Souvenir of the Hunt.
A Feast.
Ny chief enjoyment here is a daily visit
to the kennels. NJ. de Marolles has the
finest pack of hounds for fifty miles
round, and the pride he takes in them is
unbOunded. There is the keeper of the
hounds, who considers himself very
nearly, if not quite, as good as his master,
and you have to ask this great person
ages permission fore being allowed to
visit his charges, which, when he is in
good humOr, he will show off with as
much pride as a mother her first baby
These dogs have as regular meal hours as
the chateau guests, and their food is pre-
pared with the greatest of care, and only
given them in certain portions. No race
horse could have more attention than
these hounds, and their coats are as
glossy and sleek as any finely groomed
colts.
A few days after my arrival 1 was told
to prepare for hunt the following morn
ing, aud as this would be my first expert
ence in the hunting field my excitement
was intense. At o'clock on the morn
ing set for the event, was reused from
my sleep by loud noise, and few mo-
ments after, Celine, my maid, came hur-
riedly in with my warm water, saying
that the breakfast gong had just sounded
and that the horses were already in the
court yard. 1t did not take me very long
to don my habit, and I was down in the
dining hall almost as early as the others.
The gentlemen wore their pink coats,
with bright horns slung over the shOul-
ders, their short riding breeches were of
tan cOlored corduroy, and with high boots
and spurs they looked ready for any
thing. The ladies wore the usual riding
| habit, but made very short, hardly cover
| ing the tip of patent leather boot; we
all wore spurs, as well as our escorts, and
soft felt hats to match our habits
a BIT OF BREAKFAST.
This mornings dejeuner was a very diff
ferent one from the general first break
fast, as we could not tell at what hour we
would be able to lunch. There were cold
meats and eggs in every style, besides a
outlet for any one who desired it, The
gentlemen, I noticed, drank wine this
morning, instead of their cafe au lait
The meet was to be at the four cross
roads in the forest, so we did not have far
to ride. Those of the chateau party who
I
on more slowly in carts and high car
riages. Such a merry cavalcade as left
MontpOuponl Each one was in the hap
piest of spirits, the cir whizzed past us
with eXhilarating keenuess; the delight
full sensation of being in the saddle made
us all ready to enjoy ourselves to the top
Of our bent.
| Every one knows what meet is; how,
as you draw nearer, you catch sight of the
many bright coats moving slowly to and
fro, and see a motley crowd of carriages
and hOrsemen in q confused group, while
little apart, the hounds can be discerned
guarded by the whips; how people come
from miles around to attend; and how de
lightful the few moments chat is before
the start. The dogs, even, seemed tt
know that good sport lay before them
and it was all the piqueur could do to hoiC
them in leash; and when, at last, the sig
nal was given which set them free, tht
howl of Joy they sent up was almost pitt
full. The fox broke the right way, and of
we galloped, soon becoming scattered, q
each took the cross road he believed to b
, the best; over fallen trees, across bitches
and through brush, now and then leapinj
q stream that wound through the forest
then having a good strip of level groun
where we could put our horses on thei
mettle; and then halt to listen to tn
rallying horns, and off again in hot pun
suit.