THE PRINCE OF WALES IN FRANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 411, 2 January 1875, Page 2

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN FRANCE.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has been the reigning star amongst the French aristocracy of late. On October 15, he arrived at the chateau of Esclimont, where he was received with great splendour. In the evening there was a grand dinner party, at which the Due de Chartres was present. The next day his Royal Highness went out shooting with his host, the Dnke de Larochefoucald-Bissaccia. Though the morning was fine and mild the Prince of Wales prudently wore a light overcoat. He looked in excellent health and spirits, and chatted with unaffected good humour to many about him. The duke lifting his hat to the prince as a signal for departure, they walked together, followed by the company and servants, to the side of a low oblong copse only 200 yards from the stacks, looking at a little distance like a hedge, and which in fact was only eight yards wide. On one side only of this copse the party took up positions, small holes being dibbled in the ground at due intervals to show where each sportsman should stand. The gun-carriers and loaders stood as close behind their masters as seconds to a pugilist. All was now ready for action. But where was the game] The theory was that the partridges routed out by thVbenters would seek a halting-place in this coyse — the only cover left on purpose from a former wood, cut down in the midst of the large plain, and that the sportsmen, half hidden by little bushes, would blaze away as they approached. But for a long a long time it seemed as if the calculation had broken down. Covey after covey roso in the distance, but, instead of making for the copse, flew over the straw stacks, to the great amusement of the women, who prophesied a blank day. For full twenty dreary minutes the company stood by their trap, with nothing to shoot at, and the Prince of Wales must have reflected on much greater pleasure and excitement in trudging over moors or watching the interesting work of pointers and setters in his fields at Sandringham. At length, however, as the investing beaters narrowed their circle, there was a pop, soon followed by many others. The partridges, as they are wont to do, when they have not been much disturbed, approached i\ ■ •-. • - Ji - 1 4-1 ~ «..-i

covey towered high, flying wild as hawks. There was a largo proportion vflfLmisses and many wild ahote, but the rifles brought many down at almost incredible distances. The beaters, closing nearer and nearer, drove any stragglers closo to the muzzles of the guns, and, but fotiifP infrequency of battue accidents, ono would sajpffch *B3ft»Kterable danger to themselves, The first beat was nW done with, •and the party adjourned about half-amile to anothe like it, white scouts picked up the game killed The volley soon commenced, and with more slaughter Jhan before, and as the day wore on bags became neavier. The Duke de la Tremouille, driving himself with four superb black ponies, arrived just in time for the shooting. The brother of the Duke de Larochefocauld-Bisaccia, the Duke of Larochefoc-cauld-Doudeauville, was at the chateau, but he did not shoot.