LAWRENCE, in the second Edition of his entertaining little book, on the "Horse," just published-with numerous additions and eccentricities peculiar to himself-says, "the horses ran in so mediocre a style, having little speed and less game, that the plan was (in a few years) abandoned." TAVISTOCK RACES. We are glad to see the good people of these parts are not to be frightened out of their amusements by the Reform Bill, but continue, in the true spirit of wisdom, to enjoy themselves while they can. TUESDAY the 1st of May was the appointed time this year for the Tavistock annual Meeting, which took place on Whitchurch Down, and was exceedingly well attended. The weather in the early part of the day was stormy and cold, and showers of a most formidable nature to the feathers and other frail materials of a lady's attire were blown from old Dartmoor over the waters of the Tavy, calling forth many a despairing exclamation nd sorrowful sigh, as curl after curl melted beneath their dewy influence. The afternoon, however, proved fine: Phoebus condescended to show his bright face, and immediately the Course became crowded with pretty women, bold men, and fine horses. The turf was in the best possible order, jocks all on the qui vive, and every one anxious for the ball to be opened, which was done by Mr. Ley's bl. c. by Grey Middleham, for the Duke of Bedford's gift of a Plate of 50 sovs.—a mile and a distance. This race occasioned no less than five heats for the victory, which at length crowned the efforts of the Middleham colt. Octavia struggled hard for the first place, but though she went along well, it wouldn't do. Two of the heats were dead ones, and it was altogether one of the best runs ever seen on Whitchurch Down by the oldest race-goer. A Silver Urn for Yeomen's horses came next, which was well contested and won by Mr. Lakeman's Laundry Maid beating three others in three heats. This race proved the good such encouragement gives to the farmers' breed of horses; and we have no doubt the county of Devon will be amply rewarded by such praiseworthy conduct. A Galloway Cup, a mile and a distance, finished this day's sport, and was won in a good race by Mr. Harness's Eie Deans, who conquered five others, in three heats. The company was numerous, and the entering dinner (most liberally provided by Mr. H. Northway of the Exeter Inn, with turtle and other good things) well attended. Ordinaries here, and at the Bedford Arms. WEDNESDAY, the second day, was also ushered in with rain; but, like its predecessor, cleared up in the afterpart. The day commenced with the Endsleigh Stakes of five sovs. each from ten subs., with 25 added from the Racing Fund, heats two miles, Gentlemen riders. This being the crack race, great interest was evinced for the result, and Mr. W. S. Trelawney's b. h. Edgar, 5 yrs (Mr. Nattle), Mr. Leach's Octavia (Ir. J. R. Harness) Mr. S. Bayley's g. g. Exchange (Mr. Salmon), and Mr. C. Morgan's bl. h. Dunhaved (Lord Henry Beauclerc), came to the scratch. At starting Octavia sprang away in gallant style, and arrived at the post a winner; but here her fortune changed. Edgar asserted his rights, and the fair Octavia dutifully yielded the crown to his Sovereign, who placed it on his brow without much help from any subject. This was a very good race, and gratifying to all but the losers. The Handicap Stakes of three sovs. each, 15 subs., with 10 sovs. added from the Fund, concluded the business, and was won by Mr. Harness's Effie Deans, 3 yrs old, beating Mr. Sweete's Tom Moore in two heats. Thus finished the Meeting, which was more numerously attended the last day than the first, and which, judging by the liberal donations towards next year's races, must have given universal satisfaction. PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT SPRING MEETING came off on Chelson Meadow on Tuesday the 8th of May-a sort of wind-up in the hunting department to Plymothians and the varmint lads of the neighbourhood, who find racing as tolerable a substitute for the delights of the Chase as any that can be had, and are therefore generally pretty anxious for the result of such Meetings. The weather on this occasion was propitious, the course in prime order, and well sprinkled with sporting characters and fashionables.-The Lyneham Stakes (so called in honour of Mr. Bulteel's kennel) of five sovs. each, 2 forfeit, once round the course, Gentlemen riders, heats, the second horse to save his stakes, brought out Mr. W. Coryton's b. h. Rock, 5 yrs, 12st. (owner), Mr. S. Lawe's b. h. Shilston, 6 yrs, 11st. Ilb. (owner), Mr. Leach's b. m. Octavia, aged, 12st. 4lb. (Mr. Harness), Captain Bayley's g. g. Exchange, aged, 11st. 11lb. (Mr. Salmon), Mr. C. Trelawney's b. m. Bess Boon, Mr. Wm. Nattle's Edgar, 6 yrs, 12st. 2lb. (owner). This was an interesting race, and won cleverly - the winner the favorite throughout. Next came a Sweepstakes of two sovs. each, with a Purse of sovs. added by the Fund; free for all horses, to carry 12st., three quarters of a mile heats, with two four-feet leaps; for which started Mr. Morshead's Elfrida (Mr. Coryton), This race was very well contested, and won by Leopard-Elfrida and Sybil being distanced by striking the hurdle in their leap. The Handicap ground: Mr. C. Trelawney's Bess Boon (Mr. Wm. Nattle), Mr. S. Lawe's br. h. by Haldon (owner), Mr. Bridgeman's Effie Deans (Horseley), Capt. Morgan's bl. h. Dunhaved (Lord H. Beauclerc). Won without a struggle. On the following day a private Match was knocked up between Mr H. Nattle's b. m. Isabel, 10st., and Mr. S. Lawe's b. g. Lilliputian, 10st. 7lb., and decided on the ground by Mr. Nattle's Isabel winning easily. Rock, the winner of the Lyneham Stakes, is by that prime horse Dactyl, whose son (Leopard) won the Hurdle Stakes, for which four started. At the last Tavistock races two Cups and a Handicap Stake were won by two of his colts, which requires nothing more to convince one of the stock being the right thing. Dactyl is now at the stables of the owner, Mr. T. H. Lakeman, of Milton Abbott. The ball at Whiddon's Hotel was fully and fashionably attended, and the Meeting terminated to the satisfaction of all parties. RACING AT CHELTENHAM. A much-talked-of race between two sporting Colonels came off at Cheltenham on the 26th of April. The match was Col. Gilbert's b. m. by Cannon Ball, 11st. 2lb. agst Col. Charritie'sch. g. Harlequin, 10st. 6lb., owners to ride, one mile, 50 sovs. Until the morning of the race the mare was the favorite, but on the ground 7 to 4 on the horse was freely betted: indeed, on coming up the rise, about a quarter of a mile from home, 100 to 1 was offered on him by his trainer. The mare made strong running throughout, was never headed, and won cleverly. After the above, a Hack Stakes, three-quarters of a mile, was run as follows: Mr. Doynes' b. h. (Col. Gilbert)......... 1 Mr. Pearce's ch. m. (Owner)... 5 As a finale to the day's sport, Mr. A Bay Filly, 3 yrs, by Partisan out of Spermaceti:-46gs. A Bay ditto, 2 yrs, by Waterloo out of Elizabeth by Rainbow; engaged at Ascot, 100, h. ft. 1833 (3 subs.):-26gs. A Bay Yearling Colt, by Phantom out of Elizabeth by Rainbow:-Mr. Harvey, 240gs. A Bay ditto, by Reveller out of Scandal by Selim :-Mr. W. Edwards, 330gs. A Bay ditto, by Sultan out of Belvoirina by Stamford (the dam of Elizabeth, Maria, &c.) :-Col. Peel, 370gs. A Bay ditto, by Waterloo out of Posthuma (the dam of Post Obit, &c.):Lord Orford, 400gs. A Bay ditto, by Reveller or Waterloo out of Spermaceti by Whalebone :-Col. Cosby, 140gs. A Ches. ditto, by Waterloo out of Sister to Romana by Gohanna (Frederica's dam):-Mr. Ramsay, 145gs. A Ches. Yearling Filly, by Emilius out of Rachel; engaged in a Produce Stakes at Ascot, 100, h. ft.; in a Produce Stakes of 50, h. ft. Egham; both 1834:Lord Orford, 330gs. A Bay ditto, by Sultan out of Maria; engaged in a Produce Stakes at Egham, 50, h. ft. 1834:-Lord Lyndoch, 230gs. A Bay ditto, by Partisan, out of Sultana, sister to Sultan; in a Produce Stakes, Egham, 50, h. ft. 1834:-Lord Stradbroke, 180gs. Mr. Clifton's Stock. The following Stock, late the property of J. Clifton, Esq. deceased, was sold by Messrs. Tattersall, at Lytham Hall, on the 2d of May:: Forget-me-not, b. c. 4 yrs, by Champignon out of Little Red Riding Hood: Mr. Billington, 46gs. Lely, br. h. 6 yrs, by Peter Lely out of Doctor Syntax's dam by Beningbrough : --Mr. E. Peel, 81gs. dinida:Mr. Tattersall, 500gs. Fylde, b. h. by Antonio out of Fadla Guido, br. h. 6 yrs, by Peter Lely out of Miss Syntax :-Mr. Howe, 500gs. The Screw, b. m. 4 yrs, by Banker, out of Euxton's dam:--Mr. Howe, 175gs. Moss Rose, ch. m. 5 yrs, sister to Velocipede:-Mr. Howe, 560gs. THREE-YEAR-OLDS. A Bay Filly, by Brutandorf out of Infant Lyra :-Mr. E. Peel, 41gs. A Bay Filly, by Brutandort out of Chapeau de Paille by Rubens :--Sir T. Stanley, 195gs. Cigar, b. c. by Brutandorf out of Madame Sacqui by Remembrancer:--Mr. Lucas, 91gs. bers have entered their names as sub- and last day, the yachts will sail together in fleet and manoeuvre under scribers. command of the Marquis of Anglesea. The British Yacht Club purpose giving a Cup to be sailed for in August. At a meeting of the Royal Thames Yacht Club on the 3d of May a Silver Salver was presented to R. Williams, Esq. late Hon. Treasurer, as a token of esteem and gratitude for his valuable services from the formation of the Club till the present period," the day on which it was voted (April 5, 1832). The Silver Cup is to be sailed for on the 23d of June, for which six boats have entered. A Silver Cup and Cover will be sailed for (above-bridge) by the Members of the Clarence Yacht Club on the 18th of July. The Royal Irish Regatta will take place on the 23d of June, and continue the three succeeding days. The following Cups will be sailed for :-First day, the Kingstown Challenge Cup, value 1001. for yachts of all classes; the Silver Cup, value 151. for Club yachts not exceeding eleven tons; the Gresham Cup (presented by T. Gresham, Esq.), value 211. for four-oared gigs; a Sweepstakes, 31. per oar, and a Silver Cup added by the Club, for six-oared gigs; and two prizes for pilot boat and punts.--Second Day: the Anglesey Cup-presented by the Marquis of Anglesea (Lord Lieutenant), the Commodore, for Club yachts of all classes; the Kent Cup (presented by the Duchess of Kent), for Club yachts not exceeding fifty tons; the Kingstown Ladies' Cup, value 211., for six-oared gigs; Sweepstakes, 51. per oar, and a Silver Cup for four-oared gigs; and two other prizes, for fishing smacks and twooared yacht boats.-Third Day: the Ladies' Cup (presented by the Ladies Paget and the Ladies of Dublin), value 1201., for all Club yachts; the Silver Cup, value 251., for yachts not exceeding 25 tons; the Garrison Cup, value 301., for six-oared gigs; the Victoria Cup (presented by the Princess Victoria), for four-oared gigs; and other prizes for wherries and four-oared boats.-On the fourth COCKING. During the Chester Races a Main of Cocks was fought between the Earl of Derby (Potter feeder) and Mr. Hoghton (Woodcock feeder) for 20 sovs. a battle, 10 sovs. a bye, and 500 sovs. the main. After various vicissitudes it ended in a tie, as follows: Potter. M. B. Woodcock. Monday 6 2 Tuesday. ..1 1 Wednesday.....1 2 Thursday .......4 Friday......6 0 18 5 CRICKET. M. B. .1 0 ..6 1 6 0 3 2 2 22 18 5 The Marylebone Club dined together at the Clarendon on the 10th of May, when the matches for the season were arranged. The ball opened on Monday the 21st, on the Magdalen-ground, Oxford, between eight Members and three players of the Club and eleven Under-Graduates; which, after some very fine batting, bowling, and fielding, was decided on Thursday evening by fourteen runs in favour of Marylebone as follows: MARYLEBONE. First Innings 104 166 270 OXFORD. 149 107 256 It was calculated that between 4000 and 5000 persons were on the ground each day. The return match will be played at Lord's on the 9th of July. The second match (but too late for us to notice in the present Number) took place on the 28th at Lord's between the Marylebone and the St. John's Wood Club. Among other matches, the following are the principal announced :-On the 4th of June, W. A. B. Bennett, Esq. and ten other B.'s against W. Ward, Esq., nine other Gentlemen, and one player not a B. at Lord's.-On the 11th, the Epsom against the Royal Clarence, at Epsom. On the 25th, Sussex with two Gentlemen and a player against All GOLDING'S IMPROVED GUN-LOCK. We have the pleasure this month, in addition to our usual embellishments, of presenting to our readers a plate illustrative of Golding's newly, invented percussion lock, which, in our opinion, appears to be a great improvement over the common percussion gun now in use. We are at all times gratified in the opportunity of laying before Sportsmen anything which bears the stamp of improvement; and as Mr. Golding is an experienced mechanic, we are induced to think he has shot the right mark in this instance. The nipple being placed in the centre of the barrel, the fire thus communicated from the cap ignites the whole charge of powder, and consequently causes a greater and quicker impetus on the pellets, than in those guns in which the fire is sent from the side of the barrel. The locks are convex, and have a neat appearance, being fitted closely to the barrels by hooks which fit into a groove, or niche; and which, when pulled up, are sufficiently asunder to enable the performer to take his sight fully at the object. All these points, however, we submit to the judgment of our readers, who by the plate will be better enabled to judge of its merits and demerits than by any description of ours. It is not our practice to cry up one man in preference to another. That duty, however, which every work owes to its readers who support it, has prompted us to submit to them Mr. Golding's improvement, leaving them to decide for or against him, with the firm belief that his cause cannot be in better hands. SPORTING OBITUARY. Mr. JOHN WEBB, whose lamented death we announced in our last, was born in the year 1787 in Half Moonstreet, Piccadilly, his father holding a medical appointment in the establishment of some branches of the Royal Family. The subject of this brief sketch received part of his education at Westminster School, and was most probably intended for some more lucrative pursuit than that of following the Fine Arts; but his father's premature death, leaving a widow and young family not in the most favorable circumstances, decided otherwise; for in the year 1801, John, the eldest boy, was apprenticed to Mr. J. Barlow, an engraver of very humble talent, but decidedly an honest and worthy man. Barlow sacrificed fame for emolument, and gained riches at the expense of his reputation. There Webb's practice was in the very drudgery of the art. Map-engraving and colouring, with works of the lowest class, occupied the principal portion of his apprenticeship; but his application to drawing and etching during his leisure hours laid the ground-work of his future fame. During his term here, Webb had gained very little knowledge of the mechanical part of engraving; and after his pupillage it was with difficulty he gained any permanent employment. Being thrown on his own resources, he then sought the mechanical part with assiduity, in copying the beautiful works of the late Mr. T.Milton. These copies were shewn to the late Mr. J. Scott, who at this time had some inferior works in hand, and |