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411.-The Family Party-R. B. DAVIS.-This is a very snug looking party of a fox-hound bitch and a promising litter of puppies from the King's kennel. The symmetry and fine attitude of this noble fox-hound, as she reposes with the youngsters gambolling around her, are really beautiful; and we consider this picture one of Mr. Davis's best efforts.

444.--The Wounded Grey Hen —G. STEVENS.—This is, properly speaking, a grouse, which has been mortally wounded in the body; and its efforts to rise for escape, with its inability to do so, are told with so much truth that you can't help feeling for the poor bird. The feathers, ruffled and soiled by the shot, are well pourtrayed.

415.-Covey of Partridges-G. STEVENS. This is a large picture, representing a group of partridges, headed by the cock bird, who appears, with his head stuck on one side, to be listening to the call of a companion. His attitude is natural and good; and the bright plumage so well

depicted that the birds themselves would be astonished. We think, however, had they been in stubble, they would have shewn to greater advantage.

423.-Red Grouse-G. STEVENS.-This picture, which forms an excellent companion to the last-mentioned, is a pack of grouse in the heather; and as pretty a bijou as a sportsman could have. The birds are richly pencilled and finely grouped; and the beautiful heather (in full bloom) so natural that we could almost fancy ourselves once more in that "Land of brown heath and shaggy wood," with a gun on our shoulder, a brace of dogs at our heels, and a bottle of the raal mountain dew in our pocket. We are not people who have much money to spend upon luxuries; but were we, of a surety that picture of lang syne should hang in the best corner of our best drawing-room.

511.-The Isle of Thanet Harriers at the Place of Meeting, near Quex Park, the seat of John Powell, Esq., with Portraits of Mr. Francis Bushell, and Lewis the Huntsman, &c.-C. TURNER. -This is a finely painted picture, of large dimensions, and admirably laid out. The portraits of Mr. Bushell and Lewis are striking, and tell at a glance what a fine old veteran is this master of a kennel. The hounds are taken from life, and those who have had the pleasure of seeing them in the field cannot fail to recognise them. We think, had the artist placed one or two of the darker dogs in the melée, as a relief to the lighter coloured hounds, it would have had a better effect. In the distance a chaw-bacon is pointing to Mistress Slyboots, as she slinks away, seeming to

say, "Catch her who can." This picture was painted for Captain Cotton, but was so admired by Mr. Powell, that he prevailed on the Captain to let him have this striking memorial of the good pack, and its truly English master, Frank Bushell.

We now come to the Water Colours, which are well worth viewing, commencing with

711.-Smithy-R. B. DAVIS. This is a pretty little thing. The old Vulcan, with sleeves tucked up, shewing his sinewy arms, as he busies himself preparing shoes for the horse, who stands the very picture of resignation, and the contrast of the bright summer's sun with his dingy abode, are in good keeping; but we think the window a little too smart for a blacksmith's studio.

730.-A Teal-G. S. SHEPPARD. -This is highly drawn, and the colours very vivid; the game basket, with the straw in it, is well fancied, and natural.

732.-Yarmouth Herrings-G. S. SHEPPARD. Very good-looking bloaters indeed, and wanting nothing but the accompaniments

of mustard and butter to make them irresistible.

844.-A Horse's Head, studied from Nature, and executed in bronze by M. C. WYATT.-This piece of sculpture is well worth the attention of every lover of this noble animal. In it will be seen the strongest natural expression, most beautiful anatomical delineation, and masterly workmanship; and we can only imagine its colossal size as a reason for its not having yet met with a purchaser.

Upon the whole, we think this Exhibition of native talent well deserving the patronage and encouragement of the Town. For those who are neither amateurs nor critics, it is at least an agreeable and fashionable lounge, and one in which the fair sex may spend their time and their money much more profitably than in that receptacle for foreign frippery, known under the cognomen of the Ruination Shop; and as it will close very shortly, we advise all who have not been to go immediately, and those who have been to go again.

BLOOD OF THE OLD ENGLISH POINTER.-BIRD-CALLS, &c. SIR,

BEING fully aware of your good wishes to forward to the Sporting World all information respecting the Field, I am induced to offer a few remarks respecting that invaluable breed, the Old English Pointer, which, I am sorry to say, from the various crosses of the setter, foxhound, and even greyhound, is nearly extinct. Having been informed, that George Palmer, the celebrated keeper to Lord Mil

ton, had still some of the blood remaining, I made it my business to call on him, when he presented to my view two brace of puppies, eleven months old; they were complete pictures, and I had the pleasure of seeing them out. I never experienced a greater treat -not exactly from their standing and backing (which usually come to a pointer), but from the delightful manner of their being broke.

They have been shot

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cat, hare, or rabbit's leg, formed like a flageolet. They are played by squeezing the purse in the palm of the hand, at the same time striking on the flagcolet part with the thumb to counterfeit the call of the henquail. Different birds, however, require different calls; but most of them are composed of a pipe or reed, with a leathern bag, somewhat in form of a bellows, which, on being pressed, emits a noise like that of the species of bird to be taken. A laurel leaf terfeits the cry of a lapwing; a leek, that of the nightingale. The landrail or corn-crake is decoyed within shot by means of two sticks, in one of which small notches are cut at equal distances, and by scraping one against the other, a noise is produced like the cry of the bird. Calls may be purchased of the bird-fanciers in London.

fitted on a stick cleft at one end coun

Crying like a hare will being crows, hawks, jays, magpies, ravens, &c.Polecats, stoats, &c. are to be enticed by imitating the cry of the rabbit, which is easy enough to do with the mouth only.-ED.

MECKLENBURGH RACES-NOVEL MATCH, &c.

THE Basedow Meeting took

place on the 16th and 17th of May, Count Bassewitz-Schlitz acting in the responsible situation of Steward, the duties of which he performed to general satisfaction. The weather was delightful, and the course each day was thronged with a multitude of anxious spectators.

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M. Pogge-Zierstorf's br. m. Night-
ingale by Shuffler, 4 yrs, 1251b.... 3 3
Count Bassewitz-Prebberede's bl. c.
Blemish, 4 yrs, 1281b.
M. Engelbrecht's b. c. Firetail, 3
yrs, 110lb.

24

55

4 6

Baron Biel-Zierow's b. c. Guerilla, 3 yrs, 110lb. In the first heat, Principessa started off at a great bat, and notwithstanding Blemish ran her hard till past the distance, the mare kept the lead to the end, winning by a length and a half, easy.-In the second, Titus, who had evidently been kept back in the first, in the hope that his great power would bring him through easily, took and kept the ......... 1 1 lead, Principessa close up, to the

The first race was for the Basedow Gold Cup, by subscriptions of 10 Frederics-d'or each, 7 subs. and six came to the post, M. Pogge-Striesenow's b. c. Smolensko, 4 yrs, having paid forfeit. The race came off as follows:

Count Plessen-Ivenack's b. m. Prin.. cipessa, 5 yrs, carrying 1371b. (Stoll)

distance, when the mare was let out, passed him, and won cleverly by two lengths.

1 2 2

Sweepstakes of 15 Fredericsd'or each, P.P. heats, 13 subs. brought four to the post, and produced three heats: Count Plessen-Ivenack's gr. c. Mambrino,4 yrs, 1281b.(Stoll) 2 1 1 Baron Biel-Zierow's b. m. Papillotte, 4 yrs, 130lb. Count Hahn-Basedow's br. m. Clementine, 7 yrs, 1491b. 333 M. Pogge-Striesenow's br. c. Smolensko, 128lb.......... Baron Biel's Mustachio, Mr. Pogge's Nightingale, Baron Maltzahn-Cumerow's Sportsman, and M. Lichtwald's Titus, paid. Count Bassewitz-Schlitz, Count Moltke-Wolde, Count Schlieffen-Schlieffensberg, Count Bassewitz-Prebberede, and Baron Maltzahn-Sommersdorf did not name.

4 4 dr.

Mambrino took the lead in the first heat, with Papillotte and Clementine some lengths behind. Papillotte then drew on Mambrino, and at the last turn came up with him. A most interesting race ensued, Papillotte winning by a length.-In the second, Mambrino again led at a rattling pace, Papillotte close behind, and at one period running neck and neck; but this lasted only for a very few seconds, the pace being too much for her, and Mambrino won easily; Papillotte second, Clementine third, and Smolensko far behind. In the third heat, Smolensko did not shew, and Mambrino had it all his own way, starting off at score, and by his great power winning easy; Papillotte at least three, and Clementine five lengths in the rear.

The Basedow-Gustrow Stakes, of three Frederics-d'or each, P. P. one mile, 10 subs. was won by M. Lichtwald's ch. m. Rosa (halfbred), 4 yrs, carrying 1131b., beating Baron Biel's Tickler (half bred), 5 yrs, 125lb.; Count Bas

sewitz - Prebberede's bl. c. Blemish, 4 yrs, 120lb,; Count HahnBassedow's ch. c. Deceiver, 4 yrs, 120lb.; and Count Plessen-Ivenack's ch. c. Nurmahal, 3 yrs, 1081b.:-Count Hahn-Basedow's br.m. by Plumper, dam by Whale bone, 3 yrs, 108lb. not placed.Baron Maltzahn's Cavalier, M. Engelbrecht's b. m. by The General Pioneer, and Baron Biel's Circe by Gulliver, paid.-Count Moltke-Wolde did not name.At starting the Whalebone mare ran restive, and turned short against Deceiver, who lost several lengths in consequence, which he could never recover, owing to the speed at which Rosa was going. Indeed her superiority, and the advantage of the start were such as to leave him no chance.

Early in the morning of the of promising colts, a list of which second day there was a good show furnish at a future opportunity; our Correspondent promises to after which ten mares in foal and three with foals at their feet were sold by auction at remunerating prices.

Owing to the above show and sale, the races did not commence till near two o'clock. The first was for the Silver Cup, given by Count Plessen, with a subscription (the amount not named), 5 subs., which was decided in two

heats as follows:-
Baron Biel's Papillotte, 125lb.
(Stinton).

Count Hahn's ch. c. Massaroni,
yrs, 128lb.

Mr. Engelbrecht's b. c. Firetail, 3 yrs, 110lb.

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2

2

3 3

Baron Biel's Moustache mare paid; Major von Behr-Lützow did not name.

In the first heat Massaroni led off the dance at the quickest step, in the hope that his bottom would

be more than a match for Papillotte's swiftness; but his rider reckoned without his host. He had only been in training five weeks, and was consequently loaded with so much flesh that he laboured under great disadvantage as compared with the fine condition of Papillotte. It was, however, a fine race, the latter winning by half a neck only. The second heat was admirably contested, and though the same want of condition was apparent, Mambrino strove hard for victory: the two horses ran head to head to close home, when Papillotte made a tremendous rush, and won by half a head.

The Stakes for country horses, jock'd by farmers, most of whom rode without saddles, was divided into seven classes, and the ardour of the competitors excited considerable interest, and caused much amusement. The br. m. of a farmer from Hungersdorf was the principal winner.

The Champagne Stakes was won by Count Plessen-Ivenack's gr. c. Mambrino, 4 yrs, carrying 1161b. guided by Stoll, beating M. Lichtwald's ch. h. Titus, 7 yrs, 1321b.-Count Hahn-Basedow's ch. c. by Plumper-Missey -3 yrs, and Baron Biel's b. c. Guerilla, 3 yrs, paid. These two colts were the favorites, but, being amiss, their spirited owners declined bringing them to the post. Mambrino and Titus made a good race, disputing every inch of ground; and, after an obstinate struggle, victory was declared for Mambrino, thus adding

another laurel to the wreath he so gallantly obtained last year.

This was the last race of the Meeting but, during the past

ac

hunting season, when speaking of the capabilities of a sportsman, and the steadiness he may attain, Captain Maibom-Bansow having made the assertion, “ that, after a short training, he would gallop two miles, standing on a common English saddle, without losing his balance, Baron Biel challenged him to the feat, contending that he could not complish the undertaking under five falls, or springing from his horse. The match was made, and the 18th was fixed for it to come off at Basedow (the day after the Meeting. The novelty of the undertaking excited much interest, and the odds were against the Captain. At one o'clock, however, he started on a chesnut gelding, his saddle being high before and behind, and flat in the centre (similar to those used in the ring at Astley's), and guiding his Bucephalus with a long rein, his servant riding by his side. He accomplished his task in seventeen minutes, without a fall, thus establishing his fame as a first-rate horseman.

Upwards of seventy years ago, a similar feat was performed in this country.-At the York August Meeting 1760, for a wager of one hundred guineas, Mr. Johnson rode one mile on horseback, standing upright. He was allowed three minutes, but completed the task in two minutes and forty-two seconds. ED.-For some interesting particulars of this cele

brated horseman, the reader is referred to the Sporting Magazine, vol. xx. pp. 131, 225.

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