The yachts were started from positions taken up between the Ovens buoy and the Mucking light, where they were formed in two lines, the schooners forming one line and the cutters the other. The starting gun was not fired till a quarter past 8, although 7 o'clock had been previously arranged as the starting hour; and in this respect there was neglect somewhere; and, besides, it made the conclusion of the race an hour later in Harwich Harbour. It otherwise might have been a very important consideration in an ocean match. The time for starting being decided on, there ought to be no delay or deviation from the rule of punctuality, which, in all matters connected with tidal arrangements, it is generally necessary to observe with great strictness. The wind, although from pretty well the same quarter as on the occasion of the previous match, was less heavy, and the sea was smoother; consequently, the day and course were more favourable for the cutters than for the larger vessels. A very good start was effected, Christabel and Niobe taking the lead, followed by Marina, Vindex, Glance, and others, all being well pressed with canvas. The race was, from the first, exceedingly pretty and exciting, each yacht struggling with the wind and waters in her best trim, and under the management of a skilful helmsman. The Nore was reached soon after ten; and here the yachts were timed, the Christabel being first; Niobe, second; and (within about two minutes of the other) Xantha, third; and (within a minute of Niobe) Marina, fourth; then Vindex, Glance, Alarm, and Whirlwind in the order named, there being only about ten minutes difference between the first and last of all these. The Christabel was beautifully sailed throughout; and despite all the efforts of the others to wrench the lead from her, those efforts were unavailing. It was just her day: she went off with the lead, and held it from first to last, though at times very hard pressed by the Alarm, so that, when abreast of the Cork-light vessel, there were only thirty seconds' difference between those two clippers; and yet the little Niobe was still a dangerous opponent, being within her time allowance of the Christabel. After rounding the Cork, it was evident that the conclusion of the race would be a very close one; and great and desperate were the efforts made by the leading yachts for the victory, as topsails were sent up like magic for the final reach into Harwich harbour. But the Christabel was mistress of the position, and held the lead she had so nobly maintained throughout the race. A more exciting conclusion to a well-fought match we never witnessed; and it was in every

respect worthy of the noble clippers that were thus leading this beautiful The official time of arrival at the goal was recorded as under, viz.:

race.

It will be seen that this was a much closer match than the previous one. And it certainly seemed matter of regret when it was found, on checking the time of arrival of the various yachts, that, although the Christabel had so gallantly led the race and maintained the lead, still the Niobe (the third vessel), having a time allowance of six minutes to receive from the former, was declared the winner of the first cutter's prize, the Alarm taking the first schooner's prize and Xantha the second, Christabel being entitled only to the second cutter prize.

The result of this match again gave an opportunity for Xantha to distinguish herself, which she did by taking a prize, the famous Alarm having won in both, and proved, at least, that there is life in the old hull yet. We hope to have the pleasure of recording many another victory to the honour of this far-farmed clipper in the hands of her new and spirited owner.

THE

HOUSEKEEPER.

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY A. COOPer, r,a.

There cannot be a cleaner cottage. Tidiness, it is pleasant to know, has for a good many years past been establishing itself, in Scotland, among the minor domestic virtues. Once established, it will never decay; for it must be felt to brighten, more than could be imagined by our fathers, the whole aspect of life. No need for any other household fairy to sweep this floor. An orderly creature we have seen she is, from all her movements out and in doors, though the guest of but an hour. She was born and bred in the country; and her manners, not rustic, but rural, breathe of its serene and simple spirit-at once Lowland and Highland; to us a pleasant union, not without a certain charm of grace. We shall lunch ere we go, and lunch well too, for this is a poor man's, not a pauper's hut; and Heaven still grants his prayer-" Give us this day our daily bread." Sweeter, richer bannocks of barley-meal never met the mouth of mortal man, nor more delicious butter. "We salt it, sir, for a friend in Glasgow, but now and then we tak a bite of the fresh. Do oblige us a', sir, by eatin, and you'll maybe find the mutton-ham not that bad, though I've kent it fatter; and as you hae a long walk afore you, excuse me, sir, for being so bauld as to suggest a glass of speerit in your milk. The gudeman is temperate, and he's been sae a' his life; but we keep it for a cordial, and that bottle-to be sure it's a gay big ane, and would thole replenishing-has lasted us syne Whitsuntide."

This is Christopher North who gives our housekeeper and her cottage such a character; as we feel sure that all sportsmen, whether beating the moor or flogging the river, will not fail to step in and have a chat with the lassie, if not, indeed, a wee drap from her big bottle.

FLAPPER AND

MOOR-HEN SHOOTING.

BY AUCEPS.

Towards the end of the present month, the broods of young wildducks (received by the sporting fraternity under the denomination of flappers) will have become sufficiently strong upon the wing to afford much interesting amusement to the lover of the trigger, whose gunning avocations have been for a season suspended.

The above class of birds partake largely of the wariness of their parent protectors, and after having been once disturbed by obtrusive strangers, are not prone to linger long in the locality in which their personal security remains doubtful.

During the open day, they, for the most part, frequent extensive lakes and meres, on the waters of which they enjoy the means of preening and solacing themselves, keeping out of the range of the fowling-piece, and taking wing the instant they become sensible of a near approach of the shooter. Thus it occurs that in countries where an expanse of water is plentiful, "flapper-shooting" is a sport which is not readily indulged in. It is in fenny, marsh land spots where these birds may be picked up in such a style as to remunerate the sportsman. Some years since, at a period when wild-fowl teemed in abundance on the morasses so extensively distributed throughout the counties of Lincoln and Cambridge that flapper-shooting furnished, during this and the ensuing month, a large and ready fund of recreation to the "bog-trotting" adventurers of those parts. The University of Cambridge was near at hand to Ely; and parties of sportsmen, flush with vigorous life, and eager in the pursuit of field enjoyments, were in the practice of visiting Alma Mater in the long vacation, with the avowed purposes of enjoying the recreation of" flapper-shooting," occasionally alighting upon teal, moor-hens, and other water-fowl. Upon such occasions they were wont, within the writer's memory, some sixty years ago, to make up "good bags" during a day's excursion amid the reeds and sedge-grass, for which the undrained lands were, at the above time, proverbial; whilst a few raræ aves" occasionally fell to their lot in the form of the "ruff" and "reeve". -a description of bird which is nearly, if not now wholly extinct in our fen-lands. These delicate waders are, now-a-days, imported into this country from Holland, and constitute a distinct feature of trade among the London poulterers, who profit largely by their introduction. I may further add in this place, that the delicate ortolan finds its way hither from Belgium, which morsel or mouthful, from its dainty character, fetches as much as three shillings and sixpence in each instance.

Since the greater portion of the waste lands above adverted to have been subjected to the operation of draining, with a view to bring extensive areas of the same into cultivation, and thereby improve and ameliorate the character and complexion of the country, wild-fowl have become comparatively scarce in those parts; and where fifty years ago only, the above reed-clad savannah swarmed with wild-geese, duck, widgeon, and teal, a paucity of these aquatic birds are now only occasionally to be witnessed, when the Ouse and the Cam may have over