, 1888-03-16
A HUNT IN FRANCE.
DESCRIPTION OF A RIDE AFTER THE
HOUNDS IN FAIR TOURAlNE

a Visit to the Eonnc!s-A BIT of Brrak-
Tas;-THc Nee: aud the rt-Dc
Of the Foxy souvenir Of tie Hunt.
4 Feast.
My chief enjoyment here is n daily visit
to the kennels NJ. de Murullcs has the
nncst pack of hounds for fifty miles
round, and the pride he axe in them is
~unhoUudcd. There Is the keeper OF the
hounds, who considers himself very
nearly, il not quite, rs good Us his master,
and You have to ask this greut person.
ages permission before being allowed to
visit his charges, which, when lie is In
good humor, lie will show Off with us
much pride as n mother her first baby.
These dogs have MS regular meal hours rs
the chateau quests, and their food is pre-
pared with the greatest OF care, and only
given them in certain portions. No race
horse Cnll have more attention than
these hounds, and their coats arc as
glossy and sleek us any finely croomed
colts.
A few days after my arrival | WINS told
to prepare for n hun the following morn.
Ing, aud rs this would be my first cXpcri-
ence in the hunting field my excitement
was intense. At g o'clock on the morn
Ing set for the event, l was reused from
my sleep by a loud noise, and a few mo-
mcnta after, Celinc, my maid, came hur-
riedly in with my warm water, Swing
thai the breakfast gong had just sounded
and That the horses were already in the
court yard. II did not take me very long
to don Uy habit, and l was down in the
dining hall Utmost as early rs the others.
The gentlemen wore their pink coats,
Will bright horns slung over the shout
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 n patent leather boot; we
all wore spurs, as well ms our escorts, and
soft felt hats to match our habits.
a DIr OF BREAKFAST.
This mornings dejeuner was n very diff
fercnt one from the general first break
fast, rs we could not tell Mt what hour we
would be able TO lunch. There were cold
meats and eggs in every style, besides n
outlet for any one who desired It. The
gentlemen, | noticed, drank wine this
morning, instead OF their cafe all lait.
The meet was to be ut the four cross
roads 10 the forest, so we did not have far
to ride. Those of the chateau party who
did not care to follow on horseback cnme
on moro slowly in carts and high car
riaEes. Such n merry cavalcade as left
M~ontpoupUnl Each one was in the hap
picst of spirits, the uir whizzed past us
with cXhilarating keenness; the delight
full FcGgat!on Of being in the saddle made
us all ready TO enjoy ourselves to the top
Of our bent,
Livery one knows what n meet f.; how,
as you draw nearer, you catch sight of the
many bright coats moving slowly to and
fro, auI see n motley crowd of carriages
and horscmen in u confused group. while,
n little apnrt, the hounds can be discerncd,
guarded by the whips, how people come
from miles around to intend; and how de-
lightfal tho few moments chat is before
the f,art, The dogs, even, seemed to
know that good sport lay before them,
and !, WASN'T the piqueur could do to hold
them IL leash; and when, at last, the sig
nal WAS given which set them free. tie
howl Of joy thcy sent up was almost pitt
full. TIL" fox broke the right way. ana Of
we Cn!IngCd, soon becoming scattered, as
each tool the cross road he believed to be
the bcsl; ever fallen trees, across bitches,
AMI thruusi brush, now and thcn lcnping
n stream that wound through the forest;
thea l:HFsuE u good strip Of level ground
wlirrc We could put our horses on their
mct;!o; md then u halt to listen to thu
rallyinE horns, and off again in hot pur-
suit.