Clean and season a fat hen. Put a few slices of chopped bacon in a saucepan; let get hot. Add the chicken with 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 stalks of celery chopped fine, 1 herb bouquet, 1 bay-leaf, a few cloves and allspice and 2 blades of mace, 2 sprigs of parsley and 1 cup of hot water. Let all stew until tender; then add some chopped mushrooms and pour over all 1 cup of hot rich cream.