Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-03-08
A HUNT IN FRANCE.
DESCRIPTION or A RIDE AFTER THE
HOUNDS IN FAIR ToURAlNE.

A visit to the Kennels-AaBit Of Break
fast-The Meet and the start-Death
Of the Fox--A Souvenir Of the Hunt.
A Feast.
Ny chief enjoyment here is 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, II 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 q 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 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 a loud noise, and a 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. It did not take me very long
to don my habit, and 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 a patent leather boot; we
all wore spurs, as well as our escorts, and
soft felt hats to match our habits.
BIT OF BREAKFAST.
This mornings dejeuner was very diff
fevent one from the general first break
fast. as we could not tell mt what hour we
would be able to lunch. There were cold
meats and eggs in every style, besides
outlet for any one who desired it. The
gentlemen, noticed, drank wine this
morning. instead OF their cafe au lait.
The meet was to be at che four cross
roads in the forest. so we did not have far
did not caro- to follow on horseback came
on more slowly in carts and high car
riages. Such merry cavalcade as left
Montpouponi Each one was in the hap
picst of spirits, the air whizzed past us
with exhilarating keenness; the delight
full sensation of being in the saddle made
us oil ready to enjoy ourselves to the top
of our bent.
Every one knows what q meet IS; how,
as you draw nearer, you catch sight of the
many bright coats moving SLOWLY to and
fro, and see q motley crowd of carriages
and horsemen in confused group. while,
little apart, the hounds ca n be discerned,
guarded by the whips; how people come
from miles around to atten d; and how dc-
lightful the few moments chat is before
the start. The dogs, ven, seemed to
know that good sport lay before them,
and it was all the piqucur could do to hold
them in leash; and when, at Last, the sig
nal was given which set them free, the
howl of Joy they sent up was almost pitt
full. The fox broke the right way and of
we galloped, soon becoming scattered, as
each took the cross road he believed to be
the best; over fallen trees, across bitches,
and through brush now and then leaping
a stream that wound through the forest;
then having a good strip Of level ground
where we could put our horses on their
mettle; and then halt tc, listen to the
rallying horns, and Off again in hot pur-
suit.
DowNED THE Fc,x.
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