CONDÉ, Louis-Henri-Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of (1756–1830).

A fine letter on hunting. He hopes the Marquis will have found his estates in good condition. ‘I am very pleased that my stags have chosen you in particular to pay you a visit, given the kindness you have shown towards them. I say “my stags” because I have no doubt they are among those I recently released into the Forest of Halatte. As these gentlemen have no need of boats or boatmen to cross the rivers, they will surely have crossed at Beaurepaire, or opposite the bishop’s residence. They are currently running, as it is the rutting season, and I have no doubt that they will soon return to the forest. You would do me a favour by recommending them also to your farmers and gamekeepers in the neighbourhood of Les Ajoncs, Sacy, Favières, Avrigny, etc.; I cannot hunt them again this autumn, having just enough to ensure the stock is maintained; but if you could spare for us in your vicinity, with the same kindness you show towards the deer, a few wild boars and a few roe deer—as I am currently equipped for these two kinds of hunt—I would take great pleasure in returning them to you at the Château de Villette”… He then mentions the misfortune that befell the postmaster of the Bois de Lihus, followed by the Duchess of Berry’s impending childbirth: ‘It is said this morning that it may still go on until the twenty-eighth; but neither you nor I know anything of it. The main thing is that all goes well, as we all hope"... [The Duke of Bordeaux, "the miracle child", was born on 29 September at 3 o’clock in the morning.]