Leaving the noble owner to exclaim "Othello's occupation is gone,' return we to 1722, in which Mr. Clarke's Tinker received forfeit in a Match from Colonel Pitt; 7st. each, 12 miles, 500 gs., h. ft. In 1724, at Newmarket, Lord Halifax's Red Robin, and Lord W. Manner's Venus, 10st. each, 6 miles, 100 gs., ran a dead heat. In 1727, at Grantham, a Whimsical Plate of £40, added to a Sweepstakes, was contended for. The horse that wins the first heat to win the Plate, and the others to run for the Sweepstakes. In 1728, Colonel Howard's ch. m., by a foreign horse, 10st. each, 4 miles, won the King's Plate. In 1732, a Match, for 50 gs., was run for at Newmarket, 12 miles. At Chester, 1745, the annual City Plate, value £30, 10st., exclusive of saddle and bridle, 4-mile heats, produced a field of nine. At the Curragh of Kildare, in 1746, five started for the King's Plate of 100 gs., 12st. each, 4-mile heats. At Burford, in 1747, five horses started for a £50 Plate, 4-mile heats; and in 1749, the Dukes of Hamilton and Kingston, Lord Portmore, and Mr. Greville contended for a £50 Plate, 4-mile heats. In 1761, at Carlisle, we find the following: £50, for four-year-olds; 9st. each; 2-mile heats. Dr. Dunn's Cadabora..... ... 1 1 7030 Five others started. One fell; another ran against a post and hurt his rider so much that he expired the same night, In 1793, Mr. Donner's b. c. by Drone (afterwards called Meanwell) ran fourteen heats for three Plates within five weeks-viz., September 11th, at Stockton, four heats; October 3rd, at Boroughbridge, five heats, the third a dead heat; and lastly October 16th, at Malton, five heats, the fourth a dead heat. The same jockey, J. Shepherd, won both of the five heats, riding Drowsy, by Drone, at Boroughbridge, and Mr. Donner's b. c. by Drone, at Malton. After such a task, what's in a name? A Drone colt running two such races is prodigious! At Doncaster, in 1797, Mr. G. Crompton's Waster won a Plate of £100, in six heats, running a dead heat in the second and fifth heat, with Sir C. Turner's Pepper Pot. In 1800, at Egham The Ladies' Plate, for two, three, and four years old; 2-mile heats; produced the following result: Mr. Fletcher's Allegranti, by Pigeon, 3 years old (W. Chifney) 0 0 1 1 33 22 002 dr. Sir C. Burnaby's Gig, by Whiskey, 3 years old At Cardiff, 1803, during the dog days, Mr. Jenner's Highlander and Colonel Kingscote's Tango, ran two dead heats in the third and fourth heats, when they agreed to divide the stakes. Sixteen miles for £25 is more severe than profitable. Six days afterwards Highlander had a twenty-mile job, for the Stewards Plate of £50, at Carmarthen, beating, in five heats, Rolla and King Edward. At Bibury, in 1806, a Handicap Plate of £50, heats, the New Mile, was won by Mr. Douglas' Ducat, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales's Pedestrian having run two dead heats, the first and third with Mr. Mellish's Nimrod. And, in the following year, at the Malton Craven Meeting, £50, for all ages, the following race was recorded: Mr. N. Hodgson's Lady Mary, 6 years old 0 0 1 1 Six miles for a three-year-old! was training a "young un" in the way he should go. In 1809, at Leicester, Lord Lowther's Hylas won the Burgesses Plate of £50, 4-mile heats, after running one dead heat with the Duke of Rutland's Ned, one with Sir Thomas Stanley's Viper, and walking over for the fifth. Another case of 20 miles for the race in addition to the walk over! At Newcastle, Staffordshire, in 1820, we read of A Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 gs. each, with 50 gs. added; heats, Sir J. G. Egerton's Astbury... 3 3 3 1 1 Mr. Mytton's Handel (afterwards Theodore Majorchi) 0 0 0 2 2 Sir Thomas Stanley's Cedric...... C003 dr. The horses were handicapped by Dr. Bellyse, of Audlem, Cheshire, the Honble. Henry Rous of that day, and furnished evidence of his knowledge of the turf, Handel and Tarragon running three dead heats. Wells, in 1825, furnished the following race: Sweepstakes of £5 each, with £30 added; heats, 1 mile and a dis. ; 4 subs. Mr. Dundas's b. c. by Pyramus... Mr. Dilly's Parody Mr. Small's Eaglet 0101 0 20 dr. fell. The Pyramus colt walked over for the last beat, Mr. Dundas dividing the stakes with Mr. Dilly. One more instance will suffice. At Newmarket, 1827, Mr. Scott Stonehewer's Goshawk ran two dead heats with Mr. Wyndham's Stumps in a Handicap Plate, winning the third. Some money must have changed hands, as before the race it was 5 to 1 against the winner, after the first dead heat 6 to 4 on Stumps, after the second dead heat 5 to 4 on Stumps. Lots of stumping up that day. In 1737, we find a Match was made between Lord Portmore's Squirt, and Lord Lonsdale's Sultan, with the following proviso: "crossings and jostling barred." To show what gentlemen jockeys did in bygone days, and to prove that their horses were weight carriers, we have only to record a few matches. In April, 1745, Lord Byron's Robin Hood beat Lord R. S. Manners's b. h., ridden by owners, 12st. each, 4-mile heats, 200 gs. ; and, again, Mr. Parson's b. h. beat Lord Byron's gr. m. and Duke of Kingston's b. h., 14st., owners to ride. In January, 1795, a Match was run over the racecourse at Doncaster, one 4-mile heat, for a stake of 200 gs., between Mr. Sitwell's g. m., and Mr. Johnson's ch. g., carrying 16st. each, and was won by the former. The racing chronicler of those days adds: "This was a hard race, and most powerfully contested; the extra high weights exceeding the customary annals of racing etiquette !" We will not here enter upon the subject of the "noble science," as foxhunting may be said only really to commence on the 1st of this month; but proceed to grouse-shooting, which has been peculiarly good this season. The newspapers have teemed with the prowess of some of our leading sportsmen on the moors of Scotland, during the months of August, September, and October, and our readers will, by referring to these returns of killed, be enabled to draw a comparison between the gunnery of the present day, and that of five-and-forty years ago. In a newspaper of September the 29th, 1820, we find the following statement: "Game is so abundant this season on the Grampian Hills in Scotland, that one gentleman has already killed 239 brace of grouse, 38 brace of which were bagged the first day. On the 12th of August Lord Kennedy won a bet of 50 gs., by killing 75 brace and a-half, although he missed 50 shots." While upon the subject of grouse, we are reminded of a curious case which occurred in July, 1834, and which was thus reported: INFORMATION BY A NOBLEMAN AGAINST DEALERS IN AND POSSESSORS OF GAME.-Mr. Geo. Fisher, a licensed retailer of game in Duke-street, St. James's, appeared upon a summons at Bow-street, issued by Sir Frederick Roe, upon the information of the Most Noble the Marquis of Queensberry, for unlawfully disposing of certain birds called "red game," between the 19th of March and the 1st of August, contrary to the provisions of the game-laws. The noble Marquis, Sir Roger Gresley, and other extensive owners of property in the northern counties, were present as the supporters of this and another information. After the first case was substantiated, that of M. Eustache Ude, the celebrated French cook, came on. Sir R. Gresley deposed that he was a member of Crockford's Club-house, and one of the managing committee of that establishment. The defendant was cook there, and on the 19th of June witness dined at the Club-house, and saw grouse served in the room, but did not partake of it. M. Ude: "Vell, my dear Sare Roger, vat is all dis to me? Certainement you must know dat I don't know vat de devil goes up into de dining-room. How de devil can I tell veder black game, or vite game, or red game go up to de dining-room? Dere is plenty of game always go on in de house, but dat is noting to me, my only business is to cook for the palates of dose who like de game." Sir R. Gresley: "I really don't know what in common justice M. Ude can have to do in this matter. He is the cook of the establishment certainly, but he only prepares what is ordered, The committee order the things, and he provides according to those orders." M. Ude: "Tank you, my dear Sare Roger, I knew you voud get me out of de scrape, vot de noble Marquise has got me into dis time." Lord Queensberry: "I was a member of the committee of Crockford's, but am not now. I was at Crockford's on the 19th, and dined, and grouse were served at the table." M. Ude: "But, my noble friend (great laughter), as I said to my friend Sare Roger, I know noting at all about vat vent into de room: I never sawed it at all. De orders are given to me. I send my people to de butcher and to de poulterer, and to de fishmonger, and de tings are brought, and I command dem to be cooked, and dey are cooked, and dat is all I know about it." Sir F. Roe: "Whether you know it or not, the Act of Parliament makes you liable." M. Ude: "Upon my honour dat is very hard. Ven I got de summons I remonstrated vid my Lord Alvanley, and he said, 'Oh, never mind, Ude: say dey vere pigeons instead of grouse.' Ah, my lord,' say I, 'I cannot do better dan call dem pigeons, because dat bird is so common in dis house." " (Loud laughter). Sir F. Roe, who appeared greatly to enjoy the scene, said he must convict the defendant, but he should certainly put the lowest penalty, namely 5s. M. Ude: "Vell, I shall pay de money, but it is dam hard (laughter). Ve have always game in our house, and de poor devil of of a cook have to pay de penalty for it." (Great laughter). The defendant paid the 5s. and costs, and the Marquis of Queensberry said: "The only object in laying the information was to protect himself and other large proprietors in the north from the spoliation which was carried on to a great extent by poachers.' Another amusing anecdote occurs to us: it appeared in the Bristol Mercury in September, 1820: "SUICIDAL BARGAINS. "-The following bargain is stated to have taken place lately at Hertford, between a man commonly called Whistling Joe, keeper to Lord J. Townshend, of Balls, and a person named Cockerell, who has been for some time selling dogs in the neighbourhood. The keeper agreed to give Cockerell £4 for the dog, and to allow him a shot at him at 50 yards, with ball cartridge and his body, if he was killed, was to be reckoned at £3, to make up the price of the dog, which was estimated at £7; but if he was not killed, he was in his turn to have the dog, and a shot at Cockerell. Accordingly he took his distance at 50 yards, placing his hat at his feet; and Cockerell, with a musket and ball cartridge, actually shot at him; the ball, passing between his legs, struck his hat, and beat up the dirt in his face! Cockerell declined receiving his shot, and gave up the dog. They then agreed to fight with muskets, at 50 yards distance, the next day, but were prevented from the circumstance being known. Cockerell is said to be of respectable family near Towcester." Pheasant shooting may now be had to perfection, and a few hints may not be unacceptable, especially to the tyro. As these birds often lie extremely close, winding in among briars and low brush-wood, the greatest attention must be paid in beating out every yard. Early in the season, they prefer grassy, brambly spots, covered with privet; as the year advances, they will lie in clearer places, especially among pits of water, which are occasionally found in the woods and forests. When game is not very plentiful, we would advise the sportsman to commence by beating the skirts of the covert, by which means the birds that have been feeding in the adjoining fields will be hit off; he ought then by degrees to penetrate deeper into it. After traversing the wood with beaters and dogs, it will be advisable to make a circuit round the extremities, by which means all the pheasants which may have run or escaped from the interior will be got at. A gun or two inside, and the rest outside, will be the best distribution; but especially care must be taken to know the whereabouts of your companions in arms, or a friend may be bagged instead of a bird, a consummation not "very devoutly to be wished." In cover, too, the very greatest care ought to be taken to avoid accidents. The line of guns and beaters ought to advance in strict military order, dressing on the centre, where the owner of the property or some one deputed by him should take up his station; for a man in the front, or a straggler in the rear, runs a fair chance of being shot. In stopping to load, the word "halt" should be given in a loud, distinct tone; and it ought to be repeated to the right and left by the keepers.. "Go on" is the signal for renewing the attack. Special injunctions should be issued to the whole force, never to run forward or back for a dead or wounded hare, pheasant, or rabbit; for in endeavouring to recover the game the life of the seeker may be sacrificed. To the above important points of advice we would add two of a minor nature, which may be of great avail to the beginner, viz., to take ample time, and aim at the head of the bird, allowing a moderate advance for its flight, which at first is very rapid; secondly, never to draw the trigger until the bird is full thirty yards distance from you, as in the event of your killing, or rather "blowing him up," you will assurenly spoil him for the table, and will most likely get a good "dressing," and be well "blown up" for your unsportsmanlike proceeding. Woodcock shooting is a sport that, as the Yankees say, cannot be "dittoed" anywhere. These migratory birds generally arrive among us soon after the Michaelmas full-moon; and about Christmas present their "long-bills" in a far more agreeable shape than (what might be termed) other dun birds are wont to do at that festive season. For cocking, we should recommend a short gun, as being by far the handiest to take aim with in strong coverts, where it is difficult to move the arms amidst the branches of trees; and No. 7 shot, which being small will fly thicker than large, thus multiplying the marksman's chance, more especially with woodcocks, who will fall at a few pellets. These birds are very locomotive, rarely staying any time in one place, their principal haunts being near rills of water, or amidst the fallow leaves of some close coppice, tall clump, or full-grown wood. Towards evening, especially if the wind is from the south or south-west, the woodcock having enjoyed his daily diet of worms, may be found in the wet pasturage of the meres, or on the brooks that skirt the woods, revelling in the luxuries of washing his bill and feet. The long-nose or long-nasen, as the Germans call them, are universally diffused, and are to be found in the frigid and torrid zones, in the old and new world. We hear of them in Greenland, Russia, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Poland, Silesia, Siberia, Ceylon, Guinea, Barbary, on the Gold Coast, or the islets of Senegal; in England, France, Germany, Louisiana, Illinois, and Canada. While upon this subject we cannot refrain from throwing out a hint to the general reader, cxtracted from a most amusing gastronomic work. It is greedy and selfish to the greatest degree; and, although everyone will condemn the sentiment, few will fail to admire the ingenuity of the writer. The advice is as follows: 66 If you have a friend to dinner, plead some excuse, and persuade him to carve the woodcock, by so doing you will ensure the best parts; whereas, if you help it yourself, you must of necessity give your guest the choicest bits." Snipes are to be found in more countries of the world than almost any other bird-from Sweden and Siberia to Ceylon and Japan ; at the Cape of Good Hope, in the plains of Chili, among the Otaheite Islands in the Southern Ocean, Louisiana, Canada, and Europe. No |