amongst hard-working men to return to their employments with spirit and cheerfulness; and to quote an old couplet on the subjectALL WORK and no alloy,

Will make Jack-a dull boy.

Then, if the middling or lower classes cannot partake of the fascinations of the Opera, the attractions of the Theatre, or dress sufficiently well for the splendid Ball, surely they ought not to be deprived of those harmless pleasures which (however rude and uncultivated they may appear in the eyes of persons who move in a superior sphere of life) to the industrious part of society prove such a source of pleasure and enjoyment. Indeed, our legislators and magistrates ought always to bear in mind those four delightful lines of the late Dr. Goldsmith, abounding with so much poetic simplicity and animated truth, and which have been quoted so many times with such great effect, to support the above positions in the scale of society, and in no places have they been insisted upon with more strength and good feeling than in both Houses of Parliament :

Princes and Lords may flourish or may fade : A breath can make them as a breath has made: But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed can never be supplied. Then such sports, the RUSTIC SPORTS, as we are about to describe, we trust will always be supported by the Government of the country; and that the poorer classes of society may enjoy them without the slightest infringement being attempted by any would-be overbearing Aristocracy!

Some few years since, in a trial where a few individuals in the country were indicted for a riot, in consequence of their having started donkey-races, running for shifts, &c., merely for amusement, whom the learned Sergeant Best, designated the Prosecutors, in his address to the Jury, by the title of the Decemvirate of Plaistow :-" This Decemvirate," said Sergeant Best, "declaring to the astonished inhabitants what those persons think, or wish others to think of the law with regard to wakes and fairs. Such a law, if it exists, has made those inhabitants, and the inhabitants of most other villages and towns in the kingdom, and their forefathers, from the earliest periods of history down to this moment, transgressors. The law promulgated by them is, that all such pastimes (donkeyracing, women running for shifts, and men jumping in sacks) are breaches of the peace, and therefore illegal.' Where do these men find any such doctrine, or that those pastimes are breaches of the peace? Who but the learned Plaistow Decemvirate has ever said that merriment, producing no violence to any person, and exciting no terror, breaks the peace? Men assemble at wakes for the purpose of merriment, and they have been allowed so to assemble in all times, and in all parts of the kingdom. Wakes, and such amusements as were had at Plaistow, are as old as the law itself; they cannot, therefore, be contrary to

law. Can any man point out any mischief that results from them? It is true they may for a while make the labourer forget the aching of his weary limbs, and the poor man forget the wretchedness of his poverty. But surely there is nothing repugnant either to law or to religion in this. The law in a free government allows every man to do whatever he pleases, provided it be not injurious to himself or his neighbour. In the permission to do what does not injure ourselves or others, and the restraint that prevents us from what does, consists true British Liberty. God forbid that bigotry or superstition should ever break in on the principles that secure this blessing to every part of our community. It is this which has made us a happy people among ourselves, and a great, a dreaded, and envied nation amongst the powers of the earth. In this proud situation shall we always continue, as long as we look to the laws of our forefathers as the rule of our rights and the regulator of our conduct; and take care to preserve our national habits, manners, and customs. From the union of these has arisen our national spirit, our love of independence, of justice, and of our country-the true and only sources of all our greatness and all our happiness. Wakes and their amusements are amongst these customs, and are the fruits of our liberty. He who would destroy them would make a change in our manners and habits, the extent of which he cannot see, and for the consequences of which no good man would choose to answer. He would take away the whole of the amusements of the lower orders -and he must be a shallow politician who does not perceive that, so far from preventing order, by allowing these amusements, order can only be preserved by permitting the great body of the people to enjoy themselves in their own way, the way into which they have been led by the privileges of their forefathers, and which continues to delight them because it is known to have always delighted. Therefore, it clearly follows that assemblies at wakes, or other festival times, or meetings for exercise of common sports and diversions, as bullbaiting, wrestling, and such like, are not riotous. People assembled at a festival time, for the exercise of common sports, and I must say of sports that, however ridiculous they may appear to persons of great austerity of manners, must be allowed even by such persons, to be less cruel than those which, according to the great authority to which I have referred, are permitted by the law.

But what is there in donkey-racing, jumping in sacks, or running for shifts, that can strike terror into the minds of the king's subjects? These amusements may be followed with noise; but it is a noise that exhilarates the mind instead of occasioning terror. Gentlemen, I boast no great strength of nervesmuch of my life has been spent under the pressure of the disease with which I am at this moment afflicted; but I am not so sub

dued as to be frightened at the noise of mirth, or so fretful as not to be delighted with seeing happy faces; and, Gentlemen, although donkey-racing is not exactly the sport that I should choose for my own amusement, yet, as I know it makes many people very merry, if this diversion ever wants a patron in the country in which I live, it shall find one in me. As to the running for shifts, I do not know any way in which one can with so much delicacy present our poor countrywomen with so comfortable an article of dress.

If

This, and this only, was the purpose of my clients assembling. Nothing else was intended. If any thing further happened, it was occasioned by the rude, the insolent, the illegal interference of the London constables. there was any violence, the constables were the authors of it. Indeed, their conduct was calculated to provoke greater violence than it produced. Before they interfered there was not the least appearance of tumult. One of the prosecutor's witnesses describes what he saw and heard, by saying it resembled what usually passes at fairs and wakes, that there was no concert amongst those assembled to insult any one, or do mischief to any person.

I trust, Gentlemen, his Lordship will confirm to you what I have said respecting the law that must be the rule of your decision in this case. I trust that you will find that I have fairly and candidly commented on the facts it was my intention so to do; there is nothing in the case that I wished to keep back from your view. You will perceive that this prosecution is the offspring of a gloomy disposition, which is unfortunately becoming much too prevalent. I wish I could persuade those who indulge it of the folly of their conduct. But, if I cannot persuade them to be happy, I hope I shall have persuaded you not to allow them to make others miserable. Let not any inconsiderable portion of the people dictate to the rest how they are to conduct themselves. Preserve to us the manners, the laws, and the religion of our forefathers; let not them be broken in upon by visionary theory or sullen bigotry.”

Mr. Justice Heath observed that no man will say that a fair is an illegal assemblage : and that persons in assembling to amuse themselves with donkey-racing, women running for shifts, and a variety of diversions, are no breaches of the peace, it is no riot, and there is nothing at all in it criminal. I again repeat that such conduct amounts to no breach of the peace.

In the case alluded to, the Jury immediately found all the defendants-not guilty.

RURAL SPORTS AT NORTHFLEET!

The above interesting village is distinguished for RUSTIC FETES during the summer months; indeed, there is scarcely a landlord either in Upper or Lower Northileet, but

sends forth his bill of fare, in turn, during the season, for a sort of jollification, in order to make the country folks merry and happy, and also to render their labour light and cheerful. A variety of Prizes are given by the Bonifaces for donkey-racing, climbing a greasy pole for a leg of mutton, jumping in sacks, &c., and the candidates in general are very numerous, and their exertions likewise produce considerable fun aud laughter :

How often have I blest the coming-day,
When toil remitting lent its turn to play,
And all the village train, from labour free,
Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree;
While many a pastime circled in the shade,
The young contending as the old surveyed:

And many a gambol polish'd o'er the ground,
And sleights of art, and feats of strength went round.
And still, as each repeated pleasure tir'd,
Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspir'd;
The dancing pair that simply sought renown,
By holding out to tire each other down;
The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,
While secret laughter titter'd round the place;
The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love,
The matron's glance that would those looks reprove.
These are thy charms, sweet village! SPORTS like
these

With sweet succession, taught e'en TOILS to please: Here round thy bowers their cheerful influence shed, THESE ARE THY CHARMS!

The Village of Northfleet, which has within the last three or four years become rather a fashionable place of resort, in consequence of its short distance from London, but principally owing to the facility and cheapness of the steam boats going to and from the Metropolis at all hours of the day, is situated upon a small creek, or arm of the Thames, and, like Greenhithe and Purfleet, is famous for its chalk and lime, which are articles of considerable traffic, not merely to London builders, and as a manure to the farmers of Suffolk and Norfolk, but are exported in great quantities to the opposite coast of Flan

ders and Holland.

The valley through which this small branch of the Thames flows was once covered with water; and, being completely environed with hills, formed a secure harbour for small ships; and here, during the invasion of this country by the Danes, their navy was laid up in the winter season. The chalk cliffs amply reward the researches of the naturalist, in the strata of flint, of which great quantities are wrought for muskets. Cockle-shells of an extraordinary size are found, completely filled with chalk.

On the summit of the cliff, and to the north of the village, stands St. Botolph's church, an extensive building, containing several monuments, particularly a fine alabaster one, to Dr. Brown, physician to Charles II., eminent for his skill in Natural History. At the distance of a mile across the valley, westward, is seen the white spire of Swainscomb, from the wood near which the men of Kent advanced with boughs to meet the Conqueror, and demand the rights of Gavel Kind, which he confirmed to them. This is a tenure peculiar

to the county of Kent, and consists in an equal division of the father's lands among all his sons; or, if a brother die without issue, among all his brethren.

Northfleet, by land, is distant from the metropolis twenty miles, and by water about twenty-eight. The population of which are estimated at about 3000, and who are principally employed in agriculture, or in the chalk works. It is tolerably well-supplied with fish, and rather distinguished for its fine shrimps. The walk from Northfleet, by the side of the river, to Gravesend, one mile and a half, is truly delightful and interesting; and the "Groves," as they are called, are situated on a hill, about midway, in which seats are placed to rest the lounging or inquisitive traveller. In the "Groves" may be seen numbers of the fair sex, who, if circumstances deprive them of a chevalier to guard them in their strolls, nevertheless they are not seen without a "PELHAM to claim their attention; while other ladies, perhaps, are dropping a tear over the amiable but unfortunate attachment of poor Alice, in Eugene Aram. Some of the Swells of the day, who are out upon a cruise, may likewise be witnessed enjoying all the comforts and luxuries of the "Groves" with a Cigar in their upper works,' beholding some of Britain's best bulwarks proudly sailing to and fro-and other 'lads of the village' are also amusing each other by reading out aloud to some of their party, those choice anecdotes which are to be met with in the BOOK OF SPORTS.

It is true that Northfleet, at the present moment (May, 1832) cannot boast of any increase of new streets, nor, indeed, the erection of new houses, which the public, it should seem, rather anticipated from the patronage which the above place received during the last Summer; but nevertheless it is said that "GREAT DOINGS" are in embryo, and some rapid changes will be effected to meet the expectation of its patrons. The spirited proprietors of the Dock-yard (which is now little else but a barren waste, although at one period some of the first class of ships in the British Navy,and in the East India service,were built, and where the Russian fleet was refitted in 1813) Messrs. Pitchers, are the 'Great Creatures' of Northfleet, and who have employed several persons of talent and taste to take a synopsis of the most fashionable squares and buildings at Brighton, Margate, Hastings, &c., in order that Northfleet, sooner or later, may vie in competition either for splendour or accommodation with any other places of fashionable resort in the kingdom.

Several spots of ground, it appears, have already been marked out for the erection of new houses, also for commodious baths, which the water here is considered better than most other parts of the river, on account of its purity, as a commencement of the doings," upon a large mound, or mount, near the lime walks, and delightfully surrounded

with gardens; indeed, it is a most interesting and picturesque spot of ground altogether, the top of which has been secured by railing to render it prefectly safe to the visitors. A sort of battery has also been made, to give it the appearance of a tower, with port holes for the reception of guns; and on which a flag pole is already hoisted. This mount has been preparing all the winter for the amusement of the "Russian Mountains," for those persons who have courage to partake of such velocity; and similar to those mountains, which were very prevalent in Paris a few years ago, and also first introduced into England by Mr. Thomas Rouse, the spirited proprietor of the Eagle Tavern, City Road.

However, if Northfleet does not contain many very magnificent edifices, it nevertheless has lots of small houses, the very essence of accommodation; more especially for those persons who bring with them their own refreshments from London. Hot water can be purchased at a trifling expense; the loan of tea cups and saucers at a reasonable rate; knives and forks and a clean table-cloth in the same proportion: but to those individuals who are not particular to a shade, and who can relish 'content in a cottage,' and who have only time to pass away few hours, before they are absolutely compelled to return to the metropolis to business, Northfleet affords every accommodation and comfort. The lodgings are also very clean at the above houses; and within the reach, as to price, of persons in general.

Northfleet, in the eyes of the Sporting people, who speak highly of it as a place well adapted for TRAINING-the breezes from the river, they assert, are truly renovating; the ground is also high and dry; and it abounds with walks not only calculated to make the healthful person doubly strong and vigorous, but likewise to restore the valetudinarian once more to the comforts of health and spirits-by the inviting modes to exercise which it continually affords to him.

Fruit of the finest description can also be had in this village, and extremely cheap, numbers of gardens being devoted by their proprietors to accommodate the visitors.

The Inns are respectable in both Upper and Lower Northfleet-the Queen's Arms and the Leather Bottle on the hill, the Plough and Harrow, at the foot of Stonebridge; the India Arms, on the shore; and the Royal Charlotte, near the Dock Yard; and the Red Lion*-the Shipwright's Arms, + Half

Moon &c., and all of which are kept by wellbehaved and accommodating landlords.

Northfleet has no splendid Libraries to boast of; the sounds of the Grand Piano

but Tom had scarcely fitted up his new habitation when the New Brunswick Theatre was destroyed, and blasted all Owen's prospects in the vicinity of Wellclose Square. He then bade adieu to the metropolis for ever, to finish the remainder of his innings in this life in a quiet retired sort of manuer, and during one of our tiny trips' by steam, we found him in the character of mine host," at the above sign. Tom has been denominated by the whole of his friends as a character-to which we add, without the slightest hesitation-a SPECIAL ORIGINAL; and one of the LIONS upon two legs in the Sporting World: yet there is nothing like him to be found in the Zoological Gardeus, in Regent's Park; or in Mr. Cross's New Surrey arrangement for the rarities and curiosities of this life :

TOM OWEN was a boxer brave,
As any on the list?

Could stop and hit, and chant a stave,
And handled well his fist.

Many's the time, Tom sent 'em downAnd sometimes "pick'd 'em up!" But he's no longer "on the Town!"

Contented with a sup.t

Tom once was famous for his "prop!"
To us-the Ould Ones tell!
Hooper he made to shut up shop-
Rare pugilistic swell.||

Tom Owen was considered a very capital second in the P. R., indeed, much better than most of his brethren of the fist. It was not the fault of Owen if the man that he handled did not win; but it was a rich treat to hear him give advice to his protegee in the Ring. The celebrated Walker, and his pronouucing dictionary, would have been floored a hundred times, to nothing, by comparison with Tom's cacophony! But there was a great deal of judgment displayed by Tom towards bringing his man "through the piece," as it is termed-he well knew when his man should fight shy, or play at "long bowls ;" or, to go in, and "tip all nine." But Tom Owen is an old Cocker-and to use his own words upon such occasions, "if there is no breed in the cove, why then, you know, we must leave it all to the cook, to dress the joint as he thinks proper."

"I shall be perfectly contented," said Tom, "to get a crust for myself, as I have collected together a few crumbs of comfort in my time, against a rainy day; and so that I give my visitors and old pals satisfaction, when they give my crib a turn, I shall be happy. As both myself and old woman have set our faces against nailing, imposition shall not be in Co. with the sign of the Shipwright's Arms. " Live and let live," is our motto-as we wish to see our friends again and again, and as often as they can make it convenient to visit Northfleet. We do not wish to sell them at starting.

Tom claims this feature in the P. R. to be decidedly his own invention: "to put the prop on your antagonist," is to lay hold of one of his arms in the struggle in closing, and to prevent him from hitting you. A most desirable circumstance, when it can be effected,

The swell tinman, HOOPER, was one of those "playthings" of the great; and, sheltered under the wings of nobility, he became pampered, insolent, and mischievous. His courage was undoubted, and though his frame was but small, it contained the heart of a lion; big men struck no terror to his feelings, and he opposed them with all the hardihood of an equal competitor determined to conquer, without reflecting on the inequality of his own make; and, at one time, was considered, as to size, one of the best "bits of stuff" in the kingdom. The late Lord BARRYMORE, whose

eccentricities would fill a volume, was his patron; and at whose country seat he principally dwelt. Here poor HooPER lost himself; the station was too high for his mind, and he fancied himself a great man. His Lordship was fond of lurking, and whenever he could not come through the piece in style, HOOPER appeared as his bully-whose name overawed, and, many a time he has saved his patron a good milling. HoOPER'S insolence at length became intolerable; and, unfortunately, for a prime squad of spunging coves, that stuck to his Lordship like so many leeches, he began to reform, or more properly speaking, he was bowled out, and these enviable characters were turned up! HOOPER Soon afterwards became wretched-disease overtook him. and re. peated intoxication brought him to the brink of the grave; and, one evening, a few years since, he was found insensible on the step of a door in St. Giles's, and conveyed to the watchhouse; and, on enquiring who he was, he could very faintly articulate, HoopHoop; but, being recognized as the miserable remnant of that once powerful pugilistic hero, he was hu manely taken to the workhouse, where he immediately expired." - BOXIANA, vol. i., p. 5, 6.

Lord Barrymore, for a lark, as he afterwards termed it, dressed up Hooper as a clergyman, and took him, on a crowded gala night, to Vauxhall. His Lordship and his pal kept the game alive' pretty briskly, when a row was designedly got up, in which the pretended clergyman was to astonish some of the visitors, not with his words, but with his actions. Hooper served it out' most gloriously to his surprised congregation, and he would, no doubt, have retired from the noisy scene in the character of a 'good' man, had he not been discovered by the late Felix Macarthy, Esq., (one of the late Brinsley Sheridan, Esq's., M. P., most intimate friends) a gentleman connected with the Press. "Never mind," said Hooper, laughing heartily, on being discovered, "I have only been punishing the wicked ones for their evil ways; and I have tipped it to them, right and left, to show that I am no respecter of persous." "Most certainly," whispered his Lordship, "and you have made some of the best hits, this season, at Vauxhall.

*Technical, in the P. R. to hammer your opponent repeatedly in close quarters; and to get no return for the compliment you are bestowing upon him.

+ Owen observes, "he always likes to talk about the good Ould Ones,' the remembrance of them is as good as a reviving cordial to his feelings; and something after the manner of the chickens following the hen, the young pugilists may be seen listening to the long yarn' of Tom Owen, about the exploits and victories of the boxers of the Olden Times. D'ye miud me,' says Tom,' that old Broughton was a broth of a boy-he certainly was a rum one in his day; but he unfortunately gave a chance away, and that floored him for the remainder of his life; therefore, my chicks, when you become game cocks, you must give no chances away if you intend to climb up to the top of the tree, and try to keep there, when you are at the top-one false step, my young ones, and it's all my eye and Betty Martin with you afterwards. That Jack Slack, too, was a rare man, brave to the back bonehe hit his opponents hard and fast, and took the conceit out of them before they could count fifty-how he tipped it to that ere Frenchman, one Pettit, he made olly-mode of him in no time. I am always delighted when I think upon it. A Frenchman to have the impudence to think he could lick an Englishman! none of your parleys wooes for me! Slack is a good model my chicks, for you to copy-the Bel-shaw's