Roast Partridge

Clean 6 plump partridge that have hung for 4 days and rub them inside and out with mixed brandy and lemon juice lightly seasoned with salt and powdered thyme. Rub the birds with butter, wrap a thin sheet of larding pork around each and secure the larding with string. Arrange the partridge on a spit and roast them 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their size. Remove the larding pork during the last few moments of cooking so that the birds will brown. Arrange the birds on a serving platter garnished with parsley or watercress, crisp croutons of bread sautéed in butter, and mushrooms simmered in water with a little lemon juice and sautéed. Serve the birds with the pan juices and accompany them with wild rice and red currant jelly.