drunk and monstrous sleepy, and only wish she would make her ance at this moment and lull me with her appear And now, my lads, 'tis time to turn in; our chase is not done, and we must be up to-morrow with the lark; so bon soir ! (To be continued). JOURNAL OF SPORTS IN THE WEST CONCLUDED, AND PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT SPRING MEETING. May 7, 1839. MARCH gave us lenten fare as to sport: Easterly winds and Lent belong to March: but April, the once genial April, has not stuffed us with hunting; she has not sport crammed us; in truth, we have had more of fast days than of holidays. Your fast day doth not agree with the sanguine constitution of us hungry and jolly fox-hunters-hungry enough to eat a Vulpecide, bones, man's credentials, and all; and jolly enough to wash down the mess with any liquor, the stronger the better, for I presume the flavor of the nasty animal must be particularly nauseous to the palate of the generous. Oh that the old-fashioned love of happy rural sports, of which sports Fox-hunting is the most exhilarating and manly, still blazed in the heart of man! Alas! it is almost sunk into a dreamy sleep; whilst the Vulpecide, like yellow jealousy and deadly hate, is wide awake and full of destruction. "List, ye Corinthians of this Sporting Isle, Now for our diversions, and stop the breath of the trappers! Tuesday, April 2nd.-Mr. Bulteel's hounds. Met at Ivybridge; á dry cold East wind gave us a very poor specimen of scent.-Found three foxes in Sir John Rogers's coverts: one of them went to ground in Blachford lawn. With one found in Hall plantation we had some pretty cold hunting on Harford moor, but the scent was not full of death, so the hounds could not kill. Thank you, Sir John! I only wish all landed proprietors were like you; it would then be who-whoop to the Vulpecide! Thursday, 4th.-Met Sir Walter Carew's hounds at Bideford Bridge.-Penbeacon and Penshell were like a big white bear rolling in Polar snow; the weather too cold for Christmas or Christians. Drew a great deal of very good country blank; at last unkennelled in Skeriton wood. The find was beautiful, and the scent kicked along the hounds like a football. They were all together in a covey, and packed excellently. Away they went best pace over excellent ground to Huntingdon Warren, and crossed the river Aune, and then ran away from the foremost horsemen, whom they left stabled in a Dartmoor bog, and the devil an inch of an hound did any of us see afterwards, nor is it known to this blessed day (May 7th) where they went: it is supposed that they killed, as Beale picked out some fox-hair inter negotia canum. I believe all the hounds found their way either to the kennel at Haccomb, or to that at Marley next day. Very cold East wind indeed it was, and rain enough at night. Friday, 5th.-Met Mr. Bulteel's hounds at Train brake. The bitter cold weather of last night brought forth a most delicious warm morning we had a very pleasant ride, but did not unkernel until late, and earthed in Wembury wood. Foxes are a bitter deal too scarce in these parts, and that's all a wrong thing. Monday, 8th.-I went to spend a few sporting days with a few sporting friends to Coldrinnich, the mansion of C. Trelawny, Esq. Tuesday, 9th.-Met Mr. Archer's (late Mr. Phillipps's) hounds at Cheviock; weather a dry cold East wind. Some said the hounds found: whether it was mendax or verax gave out the report of the find, I know not; it looked terribly like a blank day. Wednesday, 10th. Went out to see a pack of small fox-hounds, and did see a picture of condition, or rather a looking-glass, for ye might see your own phiz in their glossy hides; but as no fox was found, we could not determine upon the picture or the artist. An East wind is not fond of fun; it is not a funny wind, so a blank and blue noses were the order of the day. Thursday, 11th.-Met Mr. Archer's hounds; a pleasant day, but dry withal. Some said a fox was found in Tregastick, but whether verax or mendax said that say, I know not: I rather opine they found a litter of cubs under ground. After this we shook hands and parted. Although we had a fast as to sport in the field, we had a feast of good fellowship, pleasure, and happiness within the hospitable mansion where we dwelt. Friday, 12th.-Met Mr. Bulteel's hounds at Meavy.-In spite of the cold East wind this was a day of great expectation; for through the season some diablerie or other has prevented our enjoying this popular meet. Alas! nothing but the old witch of Shaugh wood prevented our having a blank. She did her enemies of course. I have said it all. Saturday, 13th.-Met Sir Walter Carew's hounds at Skeriton wood; unkennelled, and, after a short bit of fun, gave it up, as we conjectured it was vick. Thursday, 25th.-Met Mr. Bulteel's hounds at Tolchmoor gate. Very fine weather it was, but, alas, O infelices nimium! no fox it was. Drew Hentor, Mistor, Partown wood, Sharp tor, Leather tor, Meavy coverts, Deerstone-confound it! what all blank? yes; no go, no jolly game, all blank, and the last day of the season too! I only pray that every man of this country who rejoices in forma divitis would rejoice as I in forma pauperis do in the preservation of foxes! The preservation of foxes is the preservation of health. Expound, explain, O dulcissime rerum! Thus, then: ye all know who have tried it, that Fox-hunting is the papa of Exercise, and Exercise is the mamma of Health: well, then, if there are no foxes, we cannot hunt them, and therefrom follows the lamented decease of dearly-loved grandpapa, and most clever and admired mamma.-Exeunt ambo. Mr. Bulteel's hounds had most excellent sport during the month of January. Some of the runs over the moor were voted by those who could live with them superior to anything ever seen. Those who had the Gainsborough blood under their saddles did live with them, and do rejoice therefore; and I sincerely hope they will for many years rejoice in the sport in spite of those tame animals who bray at Fox-hunting in this country. The hounds are excellent, and those who ride with them are as excellent a lot of good fellows as breathe the sweet breath of Heaven. GOD bless them all! May they together ride many a day! GOD bless them all! and here I end my say! A BRUNECHeval. P. S.-Herewith I send you a true and particular account of our Races at Tavistock, and on Chelson Meadow, which went off in a most spirited manner. Mr. Walter Radcliffe's "yoiks over!" when he rode at the hurdles on Whitchurch Down (the Tavistock Race Course), stirred up the cockles of my heart, and I wished myself juvenile again to have a shy with him. In the Plymouth Spring the two Stewards, General Gilbert and W. Nattle, Esq., were first and second for the Lyneham. TAVISTOCK RACES. A. B. April 23rd. For the Ladies' Plate of 25 sovs., added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 3 ft., heats, one mile and a distance, the following came to the post:-Mr. C. Trelawny's b. f. by Hindostan out of Frederica by Sultan, 3 yrs, 7st. 5fb.; Mr. Taunton's b. c. Warleigh, h. b., by Wrangler out of Prosody, 3 yrs, 7st. 3lb.; Sir J. Buller's br. f. Wolverine, by Worthy out of Edith by Eden, 3 yrs, 7st. 5lb.; Mr. Reed's ch. c. Mount Tavy, h. b., by Coronet, his dam by Grey Comus, 3 yrs, 7st. lib.; and Mr. Scobell's b. m. Snatchblock, h. b., 5 yrs, 9st. 21b.-In the first heat (which was a very slow affair), the Hindostan filly and Snatchblock ran together to the distance, where the latter attempted to take the lead, failed, and the young one won easily by a couple of lengths.-The mare was then drawn; and the lot of three-year-olds contested the second heat beautifully. Warleigh made the running, with the other three well laid up: every inch of the straight run home was well contested, the Hindostan blood being again placed first by half a neck, with Warleigh second, Wolverine third, and Mount Tavy fourth, but scarcely a couple of lengths from the winner. The Mount Tavy followed, being a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 2 ft., with 20 added; Gentlemen riders; heats, one mile and a half; thirty-one subs. Mr. W. Ley's gr. c. Dartmoor, by Priam out of Speculator's dam, 3 yrs, 9st 13b., (Mr. W. Sadler).... 0 1 1 General Gilbert's ch. h. Passport, 4 yrs, 11st. 12lb. (Owner)............................................................................ 0 2 2 (Mr. H. Weir) Heat first.-A very fast run race ended in a dead heat. Mr. W. Sadler and the veteran General were justly admired for their exhibition of skill.-In the second and third heats the young one cut out the work at a rattling pace, and every yard the weight told more and more on the four-year-old: he won the second heat by half a length, and the third as he pleased. With Chartist, it was, like his namesakes at Devizes, no go. The ordinary and ball were well attended. 66 April 24th.-The County Members' Purse (Handicap) of 15 sovs., with a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, 1 ft. added, was won in two twomile heats by Sir J. Buller's Anne Boleyn, by Taurus, 4 yrs, 10st. 7fb. (Mills), beating Mr. C. Trelawny's Hindostan filly, 3 yrs, 7st. 10tb., and Mr. Cowley's ch. c. Dawley, by Logic, 3 yrs, 8st. lib. The mare waited on her customers in each heat, came out a few strides from home, and won, hard held. The finish was a Hurdle Race Cup, added to a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, heats, one mile and a distance, with two hurdles, 12st. each. Captain Weir's Olympic (Mr. J. Weir) Mr. Heman's Presumption (Mr. W. Radcliffe) ....... 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 dr. Charley gave his Jock a heavy fall at the first hurdle, which lamed him and put out his chance. Olympic made all the running, and won in a canter by ten lengths.-The second heat was cleverly stolen by Mr. W. Radcliffe, who, whilst the rider of Olympic looked for him on his left hand, gave him the go-by on the right, and won the heat by half a head. In the third, Olympic took a most decided lead, kept it, and won in a canter. The late Stewards, E. Archer and W. Radcliffe, Esqrs. the future, Sir W. Carew and John Carpenter, Esqrs. PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT SPRING MEETING. Wednesday, May 1st.-The Lyneham Stakes of 5 sovs. each, 2 ft., sixty-seven subs., heats, once round and a distance, Gentlemen riders. General Gilbert's ch. h. Passport, by Firman out of Prosody, 4 yrs, 11st. 9lb. (Owner). 1 1 Mr. W. Ley's ch. c. Arcturus, 4 yrs, 11st. 11fb. (Mr. W. Nattle) Sir J. Y. Buller's b. m. Anne Boleyn, 4 yrs, 11st. 13lb. (Mr. H. Weir) .. 1 2 2 2 dr. Mr. Leach's b.g. Pantaloon, by Oswestry, half-bred, 5 yrs, 11st. 121b. (Capt. Phillpotts), -a At starting, the betting was 3 to 1 agst Arcturus, 4 to 1 agst Passport, 4 to 1 agst Anne Boleyn, and 20 to 1 agst Pantaloon and Chartist.At the word "off," Arcturus took the lead, followed by Anne and Passport, the other two keeping at a respectful distance behindposition which they maintained undisturbed throughout. The three leading horses kept well together to the T. Y. C., where Passport fell off, Anne Boleyn at the same time making an unsuccessful attempt to lead, the weight no doubt putting an extinguisher on her. Mr. Ley's horse consequently went in a clever winner by a length.-For the second heat the three four-year-olds alone came to the post. Anne Boleyn never shewed in front, and was beaten a long way; the other two made a very severe and fine race of it, running together head and head the whole way; horses and men went to work in earnest, and the heat ended in Passport winning by a head. The riding of the General and Mr. Nattle was, as usual, first-rate. The latter reduced himself 21fb. to ride for Mr. Ley.-In the third heat the General had it pretty much to himself, cutting out the work, and winning cleverly by a length. Arcturus was very lame after the race, and, I fear, will not very shortly make his appearance in public again.This race was followed by ....... ................. A Handicap of 3 sovs. each, 2 ft., with 25 added, heats, one mile. Mr. Taunton's b. c. Warleigh, h. b., by Wrangler out of Prosody, 3 yrs, 6st. 11łb. (a lad), 1 Mr. Cowley's ch. c. Dawley, by Logic, 3 yrs, 8st. 61b. Mr. C. Trelawny's b. f. by Hindostan out of Frederica, 3 yrs, 7st................................................. Mr. Leach's b. g. Pantaloon, half-bred, 5 yrs, 9st. 8lb.. Sir J. Buller's b. f. Wolverine, 3 yrs, 6st. 10lb. ........................... ..................................... 1 1 2 - 2 2 3 dr. Warleigh waited the first heat, made strong running for the other two, and won quite as it pleased him. The Handicap for the T. Y. C. did not fill. The Stewards were, General Gilbert and W. Nattle, Esq.; for next year, Augustus Corryton and Henry Carew, Esqrs. A. B. A VISIT TO HEDNESFORD TRAINING GROUND, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ESTABLISHMENTS, THE HORSES IN TRAINING, &c. SALLUST deprecated a taste for painting as a vice, and compared it to intoxication. Although he was one of the greatest examples of luxury and corruption, his works abound in praises of virtue. Whilst his writings are characterised by the elegance of their style, he spares no pains to denounce the eloquence of the Grecian Orators. He is not the only writer who will be found unjustly to desecrate subjects as productive of evil, and at the same time sanction others which bear a similar character. Racing has been more severely attacked than any other amusement; but those attacks have been made by persons the least acquainted with its operations-by theorists, judging not from their own experience or knowledge in Turf transactions, but from cases which have been unfairly brought before the public, and which they have laid down as common Occurrences. To assert that there are no instances of fraud practised VOL. XIX.-SECOND SERIES.-No. 110. |