every vegetable in season.--Course the second: a goose, a ham, and a leash of chickens, flanked as above.-Course the third: couple of ducks with green peas, turkey poults, and three hunting puddings. The display of cheese was the finest of the season-Alfreton and York, Colwick and Stilton. Hide your diminished heads, Parmesan and Gruyère! It may excite a little surprise that the sirloin was excluded. The worthy President mentioned this as an omission to the worthy host; but he informed Mr. F. that beef in summer was decidedly low, and when Gentlemen did come, he should always pride himself on doing the genteel thing.

After such a dinner, what could prevent "the feast of reason and the flow of soul?" In fact, the harmony of the evening was uninterrupted, except for an instant, some wish being expressed for Claret, after the consumption of a couple of dozen of Port. The Chairman, having declared his intention of sticking to the truly British liquor then before him, said, "he should not object to the introduction of Claret late in the evening, but he had no idea of anything of the sort being usual in good society until each Gentleman had completed his three bottles of Port." This excited a little hubbub at the other end of the table; when a Gentleman rose, with more heat than the occasion demanded, and said, "he did not

S

know what Mr. F. meant by hi insinuation about low company that the Gentlemen then assembled represented South Notts, and no man should cram Day and Martin down their throats." This speech was received with loud cheers; and the President, perceiving his error, politely expressed his sorrow that an idea should have gone about that he there or elsewhere could possibly dream of anything like dictation, which he would shew by immediately ordering a magnum of Claret. Many excellent songs were sung-the original ones said to be the composition of an eminent descendant of an author with whose compositions I was grievously afflicted in my youth. A Noble Lord, who lately hunted Leicestershire, was, I presume, similarly afflicted; for, on seeing the above Gentleman, who is quite as renowned for his riding as his poetry, he inquired his name of a friend near. What, my Lord, do you not know the renowned Dr. W.?" "Good God!" said his Lordship, horror strongly imprinted on his intelligent countenance, "not the Dr. W. who wrote the Hymns?" As I have the honour of the acquaintance of the Doctor, it will be in my power to send you the verses composed for the above occasion, should he deem them fit for publication. Till then adieu. WILL CARELESS.

July, 1832.

66

off there was. However, the company, if not numerous, were at least select, the Gentlemen gallant, Ladies elegant, and dressed, as our countrywomen do dress now a days, à mera

veille. By the bye, we thank our neighbours, the Parisiennes, for having mercifully abolished those nondescript towering erections, covered all over with shreds and patches, called hats. Thank God we can see a pretty face now! The weather was delightful, and amateurs of the first class assembled to witness the sport; amongst whom we noticed Lord Wilton, Hon. Mr. Villiers, Major Bouverie, Mr. Peyton, Mr. Osbaldeston, General Grosvenor, and a complete host of the right sort.

The sport commenced with the Gold Cup, which was won by General Grosvenor's Sarpedon (the horse that run against Priam for the Eclipse Foot the week before at Ascot), jock'd by Lord Wilton, beating Mr. Biggs's Little Red Rover, piloted by Major Bouverie, and Sir F. Johnstone's Glenartney, rode by the Hon. John Villiers.

Next came a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, the last mile, which brought forth Mr. Payne's Corset, by Whalebone (John Day), and Mr. Rawlin son's Red Rose (Chapple). odds were 2 to 1 on Corset, who won easy.

The

The Bibury Stakes of 25 sovs. each, two miles, produced the following nags:

Count Matuschevitz's Lawn Sleeves
(Pavis)

General Grosvenor's Sarpedon
Mr. Biggs's Whisk.....

Lord Wilton's Rough Robin

1

2

3

dis.

This was an excellently contested race, but nearly fatal to Wheatley, the rider of Rough Robin, who had a very severe purl, occasioned by his horse coming in contact with the mound round a post. For a minute or two he seemed incapable of moving, and it was feared he had injured himself most seriously; however, after a time he rallied sufficiently to be moved to John Day's house, and the following day, though suffering from his bruises, was able to return home.

The next dish served up was the Danebury Stakes of 15 sovs. each, one mile and a half, and was composed of

Sir L. Glynn's Caleb, 4 yrs, 10st. 3lb. (Lord Wilton)

9st. 91b. (Capt. Bailey)......... .... 3 Mr. Pryse's ch. c. by Duplicate.......... dr. This, though the horses were anything but slap-up, was an excellent race, and won by a neck by Caleb, who persevered in true Tory style, and for once jockeyed a Whig. Caleb was bred by Mr. Shard, who got a long figure for him (300gs.) in consequence of his beating Lord John Fitzroy's Washington over Winchester Course two years ago. But, as the proverb has it, "All is not gold that glistens;" and Mr. Caleb has never been quoted for anything remarkable since.

The second day was ushered in by Phoebus' brightest beams; and the company, after sacrificing to the Graces, and strengthening themselves with the cold meats of mine host of the Grosvenor Arms, repaired to the course, where many fresh arrivals were in waiting. The business of the day commenced with Sir F. Johnstone's Glenartney, 11st., and Mr. Biggs's Whisk, 10st. 4lb., three quarters of a mile, 25 sovs. This was a good race, and won by Glenartney, who whisked his fellow traveller out of the field.

Next came a Handicap Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft. with 50 added by the Club, one mile. The following came forward to try this point:Lord Wilton's Bras-de-Fer, 4 yrs, 10st. 10lb. (Owner); Mr. Cosby's Sketch Book, 5 yrs, 9st. 10lb. (Owner); Mr. Biggs's Little Red Rover, 5 yrs, 10st. 10lb. (Major Bouverie), which ended, after some good running, by Bras-de-Fer giving the Sketch Book and Little Red Rover the go-bye by a neck.

Four

true "6

33

to his father and uncle, and is evidently "his father's own son," and a chip of the old block.' The next race was a Match for 150 sovs., h. ft., two miles, between Mr. Osbaldeston's Bilberry, 11st. 12lb. and Mr. Peyton's Confidence, 11st. 6lb. (jockeyed by the owners.) Mr. Peyton had the (doubtful) honour of leading, and ran cleverly to the distance post, when the Squire came alongside, and after a pretty severe struggle, which tried the mettle of both men and horses, won the race by a head, clearly proving he has the Devil's luck and his own too; for, good as the Squire may be, he had a right good 'un to contend against.

Next came a Sweepstakes of 15 sovs., two miles; the winner to be sold for 150 sovs. weights for age.

Mr. Etwall's b. g. Caleb, 4 yrs (Capt.
Bailey)

Mr. Sloane Stanley's The Whig
(Major Bouverie)....

2

3

Sir E. Baker's Nicodemus. Lord Wilton's Rough Robin............ dis. This was the last and best race of the Meeting, Rough Robin and Caleb being neck and neck from the distance post, and terminating the race by a dead heat. The race, however, was awarded to Caleb, in consequence of Lord Wilton having rode the wrong side of the post three quarters of a mile from home: and thus ended the Bibury Meeting.

The next day ushered in the STOCKBRIDGE RACES, which attracted much more company than their predecessors. The weather was beautifully fine, and everything and everybody on the qui vive. Henry Biggs, Esq., Steward.

The first race was a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, weight for age, one mile and a half; which was won by Mr. Sadler's Jocko (rode by Mr. Peyton) beating Lord Wilton's Bras-de-Fer (owner), and Mr. Knatchbull's Liston (Captain Berkeley)—a very pretty race, and won by a neck.

Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, straight three quarters of a mile, was won by Gen. Grosvenor's b. c. Glaucus beating in good style Mr. Sadler's Dangerous, Lord Wilton's br, c. by Waterloo out of

Gavotte, and Mr. George's br. f. by Muley out of Lady Ern.--Glaucus is engaged this year in the Prendergast Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 30 subs, at Newmarket, in the Second October Meeting; and in the Criterion Stakes of 30 sovs. each, 20 ft., 42 subs.; also in the Two Thousand Guinea Stakes at Newmarket First Spring Meeting, and in the Derby next year. This was his debut.

This was succeeded by a Match for 50 sovs. between Mr. Biggs's Whisk, 10st. 4lb., and Mr. Cosby's Sketch Book, three quarters of a mile. Sketch Book was so busy with his views that he lost the race, though the betting was 5 to 4 in his favour.

The next race, which formed a finale to the day's amusement, was a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., one mile, for three-year-olds, which was won by Lord Amesbury's ch. c. by Phantom beating Mr. Sadler's b. f. Eleanor, by Middleton. Seven paid forfeit. Betting 6 to 4 on Eleanor, who ran well for the Oaks, and was placed third; but although she was in good trim now, and ran well, she could not contend against a Phantom, though having the advantage of being most admirably jock'd.

FRIDAY, the second day, produced very little company; indeed, there was no sport sufficiently attractive to bring much. It began with a Sweepstakes of five sovs. each, with 25 added, one mile and a half, for which sixteen horses were entered, and which was walked over for by Mr. Biggs's Miss Badsley.

The Hunters' Stakes, of 10 sovs. each, h. ft., for horses that have been hunted with any established pack of hounds, was won by Mr. Etwall's Jocko, aged, 11st. 7lb., beating Mr. Osbaldeston's Bilberry, 6 yrs old, 11st. 5lb.

Four horses started for the Handicap Stakes of 20 sovs. each, 5 ft., for all ages, T. Y.C.—the finale.

Mr. Biggs's Little Red Rover, yrs, 8st. 10lb. (J. Day) 1

Mr. Payne's Duplicate, 5 yrs, 8st. 5lb... 2 Sir E. Baker's Nicodemus, 3 yrs old, 3 5st. 12lb.....

Mr. John Day's blk. f. by Reveller, 4 yrs, 7st, 121b....

June 30, 1832.

SIR,

As it may be objected to the system I have previously endeavored to detail, that it is in a measure grounded on the principle of working by the aid of a four-footed assistant, who has been thoroughly confirmed in such principia, I shall briefly state the manner in which a whelp should be handled, when a person may not have the great advantage of a well-disciplined canine coadjutor. To take a whelp out with anything but a thoroughly-broke dog is utterly inadmissible, as it would be productive of more harm than good. It is unnecessary, however, to dwell or dilate on this, as it must be obvious to every one. "Evil communication corrupts good manners," most truly says the old Copy-book, and rice versa. In order, therefore, to get a dog who is to be broke by himself to drop to hand, you must either take another person with you to check him by the rope when you give the signal to lie, or, what in my humble opinion is, better, fasten the animal to a post or tree, or a long iron spike similar to that of a garden line; which last, with a swivel, is the handiest of all; and any one of these is better than a helper, as two people distract the dog's attention, and make him idle and careless. The rope should be of considerable length, to enable you

to make him fall far or near, as you want him, until he becomes sufficiently grounded to be tried without any check. The dog is in all other respects to be treated as previously directed: but before we take leave of this subject of dropping to hand, which is the ground-work of all real good breaking, I must particularly say that every dog should be made, when you want him to drop or stop, to lie down close.

Most sportsmen are content that a dog sits down, or even stands still; and this may be permitted to a veteran who is confirmed in his work, during the hurry of a day's shooting, when you may want to load quick and get game; but it must be insisted on regularly with a whelp. Many dogs do not lie down readily: when such is the case, stoop down yourself, and move your hand quickly from above your head down to the ground, and cry out sternly "down close," two or three times: the dog generally will imitate, and obey to your movements and lie down; but if he continues pertinacious, he must be struck slightly on the back of the fore legs with a switch, until he crouches fair and handsomely, and this must be repeated until he does it with freedom, and willingly.

The satirical may sneer, and the careless laugh, at this, but let them try it. As there should be Pp

a

reason given for everything which forms part of what may be termed a system, I shall state why I insist on such minutiæ, which at first sight may appear overstrained or far-fetched. The whole object of this method of training is to make implicit obedience a matter of such early and constant habit to the animal as to become, as it were, a part of his nature, which, when once absolutely effected, places all his powers at your prompt disposal, and leaves you (when you come to the business of shooting, even under every other disadvantage which may occur) in the full enjoyment and command of your own-a matter of no small moment, and which can never be the case with an unruly or half broke dog. The quickest and most athletic man cannot shoot and break at the same time; and I know nothing so trying to the temper, nothing which will put the most placid off their shooting, as the recurrence of canine misconduct, and the blunders and misfortunes consequent thereon. Besides, what a difference to have your work done as your watch goes, your mind divested of all care as to the action of one of your principal sinews, instead of driving through a country, your nerves unstrung with dread and anxiety, bellowing, flogging, and whistling as if you were in charge of a drove of cattle. When once fairly finished, this habit of obeying your minutest command nearly divests the animal of every particle of self-will; so much so, that you can with ease and confidence make him at your bidding do that which often costs most trouble in stopping him from, and that is, to follow a wounded hare

when necessary, yet chase none otherwise; which in a real shooting country, where, from the absence of hounds, hares form a part of your game, is absolutely necessary, unless indeed you use a regular retriever. But this last practice, however indispensable in strong covert shooting, I do not look upon to be advisable with pointers and setters. It not only makes them unsteady while lying to shot, but it renders them careless and idle, as it deprives them of that part of their employment which most contributes to their excellence-finding a dead, or footing and recovering a winged bird: it is the reward of their trouble and assiduity, and should not be withheld from them. I have not had a dog these ten years that would not do this cleverly, although it may appear unattainable, and I know it is so generally considered; but as it will have to be particularly treated of hereafter, I shall for the present say no more upon the subject.

All the previous remarks are supposed to apply only to such animals, as, being free from any peculiarity or defect of temper, may be rendered tractable and steady in the manner defined, which defects, however, can hardly be accurately and positively ascertained until we come to try the effects of the fowling piece. Some dogs give very little trouble; others, though in other respects very good, and who may have come on hitherto with every prospect of success, prove afterwards a source of great anxiety and annoyance; and if not resolutely followed up in one instance, and as delicately and patiently waited on in the other,