The best form for the bottom of a stall is that which gives a general dishing towards a grating in the centre, as from side to side, and about two-thirds from the front towards the back termination of the standing, which may be taken at ten feet, beyond which the space or gangway should be level, and the wider this is the better; the lines on the side of each standing should have a slope of about three inches from the front wall to the termination of the standing, and from each side to the centre of about two inches, with a grating at that part for the urine to pass into an under-ground drain or cess-pool. As to difference whether for mares or geldings, it is hardly necessary when the grating is suitably placed. The annexed diagram will in some degree illustrate the description I have given :10 feet. α In paving, the straight lines will be those indicated by hi and kl; and the intermediate spaces between these and the boundary lines of the standing should be gently dishing. The circle indicating the drain ought to be at least eight or ten inches It is not necessary that the precise degrees of declination here indicated should be rigidly adhered to, but something like an approximation to them will be found to answer the purpose. The real Dutch clinker is better than stones for paving with; but if the latter are used, the size on the surface cannot be too small. I shall here for the present let the matter rest, believing that I have said enough to draw attention to this very important subject I may hereafter give it further consideration, as much yet remains to be said upon practical_details. F. C. CHERRY, Vet. Surg. 2nd Life Guards. BEVERLEY AND CATTERICK BRIDGE MEETINGS. BEVERLEY. ""Tis a folly to grieve at life's troubles There's always two sides of the way:" So says the old song, and partly with truth, for while we deplore the demise of the Holderness Hunt Meeting, we rejoice in the budding promise of the Beverley Spring as a successor, which gave us an excellent day's sport of ample quantity. As to its quality, we cannot in reason expect so much in so young a plant as when it shall arrive at greater maturity; but that it has exceeded all expectation no one can doubt and now that Malton, like the Holderness Hunt, is defunct, there existed a vacuum in sport which Beverley is calculated to supply, and we heartily desire its success. The sport of the day, enhanced by most delicious weather, and varied by a Steeple-chase, did not, however, comprise any running bearing influence on coming events. The "lion" of the Meeting was the Trial Stakes, won by Aggravator from Resurrection and a Field of five others, by a head, and was, it is to be regretted, marked by objections, protests, and tricks which it would be well for the Turf if they could be expunged from its annals, as their baneful influence operates too often severely upon the interests of the Meetings where they occur. In this instance, however, one case was so flagrant that it merits exposure. The owner of Resurrection preferred a charge of crossing against Aggravator; after which, on Resurrection's rider being tried in the scale, and found wanting, a cry out was raised for the bridle, which the Jock had before stated to have had with him. Notwithstanding, a ruse was played upon the lad who held Aggravator, his bridle obtained, and the horse made weight to the satisfaction of the Steward, thereby fraudulently entitling him to prosecute his charge of crossing, which, however, broke down, and Aggravator was declared the winner; and then, when even Hope had trembling fled," the fact of the deception came out. This exposé, we trust, will have the effect of causing more attention to what articles jockeys bring to scale, and what they actually carry in the race, than is paid to this subject, particularly at country meetings. CATTERICK BRIDGE, 66 As the first, is always considered a gathering of much interest in the North. To that late honored and esteemed supporter of the Turf, the Duke of Leeds, Catterick has for years been very considerably indebted for much of its prosperity, and that Nobleman's death it was feared would prove a very severe blow to the future Meetings. Happy are we, however, to say that the present Meeting was decidedly equal to former years, and that the Turf-men of the district have paid that respect to the well-known wishes of the late Duke which they were wont to do while he ran his race upon this green sod. It will, we are sure, also diffuse no little pleasure to our Sporting Readers to learn that the present Duke of Leeds honored the assemblage with his presence, and very graciously accepted the office of Steward to the next year's Meeting, thus giving promise of following in the same course in which his worthy sire during his whole life was ever esteemed and revered. That excellent mare Bee's-wing won the Craven Stakes and the Gold Cup Stakes with great ease, shewing that she had come through the winter in good form, against two good though small Fields. Goodness will shew itself, and though sometimes it may meet defeat by others as good, and whose treatment may give them a decided advantage, yet the standard of their worth is in the aggregate made evident. Long may her worthy owner live to possess a race of such like good ones!-no one deserves them more. The race for the Two-year-old Sweepstakes, one mile, proved a most splendid contest, in which the Duke of Cleveland's colt by Emilius out of Misrule just managed to win by a head from La Femme Sage, by Gainsborough out of La Sage Femme's dam; Neptune; the filly by Liverpool out of Zillah; and Hawkesbury. The finish was very nigh a miss on Misrule's part, and perhaps another time would prove a win to La Femme Sage; both, however, shewed Neptune and his followers slow sailors, for they were left far, far at sea, without needing a pilot. Lye rode Misrule beautifully, and almost outdid himself. : The great interest, however, of the whole was perhaps centred in the Claret Stake, known and celebrated in olden days as the "Old Stake," for three-year-olds, two miles and we had an excellent start of seven-Lightfoot, Zoroaster, Messmate, Dolphin, Mr. Shaftoe's b. c. by Physician, Cleanthes, and Eliza. Good judges of racing know how indispensable to racing success is a Light-foot; he was consequently in high favor, and which he merited by his performance, for he permitted Eliza, certainly the best public runner of the race of last year, to make play; but it proving only a moderate tune, Lightfoot went away right from his horses, was never after got to, and won very easy in a common canter. We should advise all speculators to keep an eye upon this really Light-foot, and take care in all enterprises either not to sail against him, or secure him as a cockboat. We venture to predict, this is not the only time he will grace the pages of our Calendar as A 1. He was rode by J. Holmes, who, however, had no trouble with his charge. The Champagne Stakes, for two-year-olds, three-quarters of a mile, brought but a poor Field, and was won by Interlude, who took up the leading character, and sustained it from the opening of the piece to the exeunt omnes. Her other two companions, I fear, however, are only bad performers, and with such company moderate players look like Stars. The Filly Stakes, La Sage Femme won very cleverly from Number Three (who only came in number two) and Anna Maria-a pretty name, that in these days availeth nothing. The Brough Handicap, Hackfall won as he liked, beating Number Three (whose gluttony is now surely satiated) and Hart, who may pant for cooling springs," as the Psalmist says, but certainly has no relish for Turf honors. Thus ended the gathering, which proved an excellent Meeting.-C. Attwood, Esq. also joined His Grace of Leeds in accepting the office of Steward for next year. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. RACING INTELLIGENCE EXTRA. Ascot. The ground for the high booths at Ascot for the ensuing races was let by auction on the 8th of April, but did not realise so much as for the two past years, the New Grand Stand having some little effect on the bidding. Goodwood.-The Cup closed on Tuesday in the Newmarket Craven Meeting with 40 subs.-the horses to be named on the Tuesday after the Epsom Meeting. On the Monday in the Newmarket Craven Meeting, Lord Suffield's horses were brought to the hammer, and though the sale was very well attended, the lot realised a very small sum. His Lordship had previously. sold Caravan to Captain Berkeley. Vernon, in consequence of his heavy engagements, fetched only 100 gs., and was purchased by Lord Lichfield; Arsenic (Caravan's trial nag for the Derby), 105 gs.; Alms, 60 gs., St Luke, 50 gs.; Marie, 21 gs.; a hack by Filho, 50 gs.; another hack, 56 gs Mr. Thornhill purchased the double van for 90 gs. THE CHASE. In addition to the communication by THE ADELPHI from Leicestershire in an early part of this Number (see page 10), we are led to understand that hopes are entertained that Lord Chesterfield may be induced to take the Quorn country, and that he will do so if he can find a successor for Northamptonshire. No one else is talked of at present, and it is said that £4000 a-year subscription, and the coverts free of expense, have been offered to His Lordship, which would cover all hunting expenses. On the 25th, Lord Suffield's horses, hounds, carriages and harness, &c. were sold at the "Corner" by Messrs. Tattersall, and realised the sum of £5859 48. The yard was excessively crowded, and several of the lots were spiritedly contested. The following were the prices of some of the principal hunters-Grantham, 285gs.; Metternich, 275gs.; Cigar, 225gs.; Mounteagle, 210gs.; Bryan O'Lynn, 210gs.; Midnight, 205gs.; Langar, 205gs. ; Benedict, 180gs.; President, 150gs.; Gazelle, 135gs.; Zethus, 135gs.; and Boniface, 130gs. The hounds, for which His Lordship gave 3000gs., were disposed of in eight lots, and produced 491gs.! The horses used in the North Shropshire Hunt when under the management of Mr. Clive were sold at Birmingham on the 12th by public auction. Berrington fetched 145gs.; Claret, 106gs.; sixteen others, from 42 to 80gs. each; and Madge, a hack, 22gs.-total 1090gs. At Howden Spring fair, the supply of good horses was smail, for which great prices were obtained; of middling and inferior horses there was but a moderate supply, and the demand was not brisk for the latter description.Mr. Howden's Cavendish, of Driffield, received from the Howden Agricultural Society the £5 premium for the best-bred stallion, and Mr. Hunt's Candidate, of Garton, the £5 premium for the best coaching stallion. The annual race for a Silver Punch Bowl given by the Members of the Hampshire Hunt came off on Tichborne Down on the 17th of April, and was won by Mr. Fitt of Selborne on his ch. three-year-old colt by Don Juan out of the Wilkinson Black Mare beating Mr. Parker's ch. f. and Mr. Rivers's br. f. distanced by running on the wrong side of the post —A handsome Fox's Head in Silver, given by Major Barrett, was won by Mr. George Young, of Ropley, on his ch. m., beating two others in a common canter. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Cheltenham held on the 16th of April at the Plough Hotel, Sydenham Teate, Esq. in the Chair, to take into consideration the liberal proposal of Lord Segrave, "that he would give a Hundred-Guinea Cup to be run for at the Annual Steeple Chase 1840 if the Town would guaranty £100 in cash," a Committee of seven Gentlemen was appointed to collect subscriptions, and the required sum was raised the same afternoon. The Committee feel sanguine that they can, in addition to this subscription, raise at least another £100, so as to be on a par with Leamington, Warwick, and other sporting towns which so spiritedly came forward in support of Steeple-chasing. During a run with Mr. Foljambe's hounds on the 10th of April, from Rossington Grange, five of the pack were suddenly seized with convulsions, and four of them died on the spot in great agony; the fifth is still alive, and hopes are entertained of his recovery: a sixth, however, was seized in a similar manner on the road home, and died on reaching the kennel. Mr. Flower, of Maltby, and another surgeon, subsequently opened the bodies, and, on analysing the contents of their stomachs, clearly detected the presence of arsenic. The general impression is, that the hounds had partaken of some rabbits' entrails impregnated with arsenic, which had been placed in the woods through which the dogs passed, for the purpose of destroying foxes. Mr. Foljambe is willing to impute the death of his hounds to accident, and hopes, by giving the fullest publicity to the facts, that the individual who may have been the unfortunate cause of the catastrophe will come forward and declare himself, and thereby rescue the characters of those who might otherwise naturally be liable to imputation. We fear, however, as the destruction of the varmint is held in such utter detestation by all lovers of the Chase, that no one will be willing to acknowledge that such was his object, even to exonerate him from the suspicion of a still more villanous motive. wwwww GRAND EIGHT-OARED MATCH BETWEEN OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. 66 The opening Match on Old Father Thames for the present season was between the rival Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. On the 11th of June 1829, the Oxonians beat the Cantabs in Henley Reach, two miles and a quarter, against the stream, a full account of which was given in our 24th vol. N. S., p. 249. The losers, anxious to recover their lost laurels, challenged the winners; but no Match took place till 1836, when both parties evinced a disposition to try their strength, the challenge each to the other passing on the road. This Match came off on the 17th of June in that year, from Westminster to Putney, and was won with great ease by the Cantabs. The Oxonians, not throwing down the gauntlet as expected the following year, the winners, confident in their strength, aimed at higher game, and boldly challenged the Leander Club, then admitted to produce "the best eight" on the River. This was decided on the 9th of June, Parish of Strand Lane acting as cockswain to the Club, and Noulton of Lambeth to the "Men of Cam," the latter winning, after a severe contest, by seven seconds. The Leander, not at all fancying that the "mastery of the flood" which they had so long held should be wrested from them, threw down the gauntlet last year for another "shy," which being picked up by their late antagonists with all the alacrity that marks the confidence arising from previous victory, the 13th of June was appointed for the contest. This, however, did not end satisfactorily, as 'fouling" seemed the order of the day with the River cockswains; and although the Leander passed through Putney-bridge first by about a length, the victory was disputed, and the Umpire, on being appealed to, expressed his opinion that the agreement never contemplated any fouling, and in consequence of the violation of that agreement, he decided that it was "No Match."-The challenge on the present occasion originated with the Oxonians, which the Cantabs readily accepted, and Thursday the 28th of March was named as the “ great, the important day," but, by mutual consent, it was postponed till the 3rd of April. The crews for the previous fortnight had been in active training, and on the day they appeared in two boats built for the occasion-that for the Men of Isis" by King of Oxford, and the one for the " Men of Cam" by Messrs. Searle of Stangate. At half-past four o'clock the gentlemen were at their stations, every position from which a view could be obtained being thronged to excess; and notwithstanding a cutting east wind prevailed, sufficient to deter the most ardent lover of aquatic sports from venturing from "his own fire-side," the River presented a most animated appearance, every description of boat having been put into requisition. Every preliminary being settled, and Umpires chosen, Mr. Harrison, Commodore of the Thames Yacht Club, accepted the office of Referee, at the mutual request of the contending Colleges. The following Gentlemen composed the respective crews (the stipulation being that no fouling was to be allowed, and the boats to be steered by Members of their own Body): 66 OXFORD. Stroke Oar, Mr. Bewick, University. 6...... Mr. Hobhouse, Balliol. CAMBRIDGE. Stroke Oar, Mr. Stanley, Jesus. 6...... Mr. Yatman, Caius. |