Darling (A. Haynes) not appearing in good trim, was little thought of, but she contrived to "bide her time," and towards the finish, when Mr. J. Evett na. Waterford (Evett, jun.) seemed to have the race in hand, came up and terminated a severe run-in by half a neck in advance of the Marquis. Mr. Whiteball's Ravensmoor, after two mishaps, got staked, and Mr. Jones's Bonny-lass threw her rider and cut her lucky, both thereby losing their chances. Mr. R. Ogle na. Clot Bey made a powerful struggle, and was nearly fifty yards a-head in the lane into the winning-field, but here he was non-plussed; Walmsley na. Lady Flora, Mr. J. Ogle na. Maid of Lodi, had falls sufficient to prevent their attaining the prize; and Mr. R. Ogle na. Harry did not appear desirous to have honors thrust upon him.-It was a good race, and the same Stewards have kindly undertaken to officiate next year.

Mr.

Barnham Broom, April 18.—A Twenty-five Guinea Silver Cup, with a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, eight subs., and all at the post, terminated in the most decisive manner by Hon. Bertram Wodehouse's Magic (Templeton) cantering in ten lengths a-head of Mr. Sandiford's President Mr. Brown's Longwaist, Mr. Brown's Cannon-ball, Mr. Land's Predictor, Mr. Liddlelow's Jack-o'-Lantern, Mr. Turner's Heathen, and Mr. Martin's Meteor, not placed. It was a pretty race to the last fence, which they all took together, when Magic went to the fore, and had time to turn round and see who came next.-A second race for a Purse of 15 sovs., for horses the property of, and to be ridden by, farmers, with a Sweepstakes of 2 sovs. each, was won by Mr. Turner's Modesty (Owner) beating Mr. Liddlelow's Jack-o'Lantern, Mr. Smith's Wasp, and Mr. Vincent's ch. m.-' -The Hon. B. Wodehouse's Flare-up, 11st. (Templeton), beat Mr. Land's Lady Jane, 10st. (Owner), in a Match for 40 sovs. P. P.—and thus terminated a truly sporting day's play.

Newcastle, April 18.-The two races-a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 60 added to the first, and 30 to the second-were both won by Mr. Leahy's Cigar, Paul Pry being second in both instances.-The other horses in the first were, Symmetry, Monarch, Hebe, Precursor, Medora, and Mr. Raleigh's Dhusig (Molony), who made a desperate neck-or-nothing race for about half way, when he fell over a strong rail, and broke his back in the second, Corunna, Kate, Monarch, and Earthstopper.-The last race was a Handicap, and Cigar carried 12st. 12fb.

Bath, April 23.-A Handicap Steeple-chase for 5 sovs. each, with 15 added, seven subs., came off at the Red-post, starting from a field near Radstock, three miles; and the interest excited from the character of the horses engaged was not lessened by their performances. Towards the finish it was severely contested by the three placed, Mr. J. Haddy's Woodman, aged, 11st. 12ft. (E. Reiley), first by half a length; Mr. Newcombe's Cannon-ball, aged, 12st. 12ft. (Owner), second; and Mr. Simon's Haidee, aged, 11st. (a groom), third. The other three that started were, Mr. Adam's Jester, aged, 11st. 10fb. (Owner), Mr. Cunningham's Jesuit, 11st. 8fb. (Smith), and Captain Bisdee's Inez, 11st. (Owner). Mr. Dalimore's Clinker, 5 yrs, 10st. 12fb., was drawn. Jesuit and Inez refused their first fence, and as no

persuasion could entice them over, there they remained without joining farther in the fun.

Alcester, April 24.-The first event was a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 60 added, the winner to be sold for 300 sovs. if demanded, &c., for which four horses started-Mr. Kemp's Charity (Oliver), Mr. Marshall's Physician, late Decider (Powell), Mr. Goode's Comet (Barker), and Mr. Dockeray's Yellow Dwarf (Mason).—Comet blazed away all through the race till near home, when getting out of his track, he was obliged to take third place. Yellow Dwarf contested the lead with him repeatedly, and Physician was alternately second and third, Charity modestly bringing up the rear, but in close attendance on those a-head. On passing the last fence, however, Oliver thought it was time to put in his claim to first couple, and, "taking it quietly," soon left his compeers behind, winning with perfect ease by three lengths; the others as placed above. For the second, a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, with 20 added, twelve appeared, but only three were placedMr. Marshall's Primrose (Powell), Mr. Laughton's Jack Robinson (Roots), and Mr. Ballinger's Goshawk (Oliver).—Mr. Tranter's Cholstrey fell and broke down; Mr. Cockerell's Moonraker also fell, and his rider gave up; Mr. Holyoake's Wild Boy seemed resolved to have a look at the winning-field, on accomplishing which he turned tail, and went home; and Captain Lamb's Shepherd floundered, at a gate, and went a tremendous burster into the next field. The others in the list, but not long in the race, were, Mr. Martin's Giraffe, Mr. Thompson's Forester, Mr. Brown's Harry, and Mr. Blysche's Comet.-The sports concluded with a Match between The Nun and The Greyling (neither of them of Steeple-chase notoriety), which was won by the former, after a distressing race to both.

Thirsk, April 24.-The success which attended the Steeplechases at Pickering, Beverley, and Driffield, set the neighbourhood of Thirsk all agog to have a shy, and several spirited individuals having announced such intention, a subscription of 30 sovs. was speedily procured; but as the advanced state of the season precluded more than a week's notice, and many horses had got out of condition, only four entered-5 sovs. each, for horses the property of gentlemen or farmers, and to be ridden by them-Mr. J. Lamplugh's Prickbelt (Owner), Mr. J. Cooper's Deceit (Owner), Mr. Ewbank's Cherry Brandy, and Mr. G. Brown's Benedict (Bearpark). It being the first or maiden Steeplechase, business in the town was almost entirely suspended, and it was kept as a holiday or gala day.-At the second fence Cherry Brandy, who was leading, and Prickbelt went on the wrong side of a flag, and had to turn back. At the third fence Prickbelt had recovered his lost ground, and went a-head at a slashing pace. In attempting a rasping fence, Benedict swerved, and bolted through an awkward gap into the York-road, where he fell and threw his rider so violently that he lay stunned, and with his head so severely cut as to preclude him from taking any further share in the race. He was, however, sufficiently recovered to ride home the same evening. Cherry Brandy followed Prickbelt pretty closely, but was passed in a couple of fields by Deceit, who went in a pretty good second. Some dispute arose, Mr. Cooper claiming the Stakes, from Prickbelt having gone on the wrong side of

a flag; and on the other hand Mr. Lamplugh declaring that Deceit and Cherry Brandy had not only not passed between two flags about the middle of the distance, but had got into a wrong field. On an appeal to the Stewards, a due investigation ensued, and they awarded the whole Stakes to Prickbelt, expressing an opinion that the other two had both forfeited their claim to the Stakes which were to be returned to the second horse. When caught, Benedict was ridden along the road to his stable, and appeared very slightly injured by his fall.

Eglinton Park, April 25.-The day after the races having been fixed on for two Steeple-chases, and both horses and riders being firstrate, an immense concourse assembled to witness a capital day's sport, and, from the judicious selection of the ground, a distinct view of the whole runs was obtained from the Grand Stand, which was filled to an overflow. The first race was a Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 5 ft., for horses carrying 13st. 7fb., four miles across country, commencing about half a mile from the winning-post, and terminating at the same spot. There were thirteen subscribers, and six at the post-Lord Eglinton's Coventry (Owner), His Lordship's Multum-in-parvo (Mr. Gilmour), Lord Kelburne's b. g. (Sir F. Johnstone), His Lordship's br. g. (Lord Macdonald), Mr. Davidson's Sir Charles (Owner), and Sir David Baird's Bustard (Owner).-Bustard was the decided favorite at even agst the Field, 2 to 1 agst Coventry, 4 to 1 agst Lord Kelburne's two, 6 to 1 agst Multum, and 10 to 1 agst Sir Charles.-Lord Macdonald and Sir David got off first, and made a push for the lead over the first fence, which they took together, closely followed by Coventry and Multum. Sir Charles was not so fortunate, Lord Kelburne's b. g. having swerved from the fence, and coming plump upon him, upset both horse and rider: Mr. Davidson, however, retained the reins, and was speedily up, and as quickly at work again. Bustard refused a double-post-and-rail, and, though persuaded over by Sir David, a fall shortly after put him out of the race. Mr. Davidson had another summerset at the first brook, and his chance was out. The last jump was another brook with a stiff hedge beyond it, only negotiable to a practised hunter, and which Lord Eglinton took with his old horse admirably, and, having got the lead, increased his pace, and kept it to the finish, winning by seven lengths. Mr. Gilmour was second, though severely pressed by Sir Frederick. The second race, over the same ground, was a Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, for hunters, 12st. each, fourteen subs., for which eight appeared at the scratch-Sir David Baird's Pioneer, Captain Spottiswoode's Sambo, Lord Drumlanrig's Cottager, Mr. Lamb's Rifleman, Lord Kelburne's Collier, His Lordship's b. h., the Marquis of Waterford's Confusion, and Mr. Bogle's ch.g.-all jock'd by their Owners, except Lord Kelburne's two, Collier being steered by Sir F. Johnstone and his b. h. by Mr. Davidson. betting was rather brisk, Lord Waterford having the pull at 6 to 4 agst, 2 to 1 agst Pioneer, and 6 to 1 agst Rifleman.-Pioneer went off with the lead at a slashing pace, the others well together. At the first fence Pioneer fell, but Sir David held on, and took it, as did all the others but Lord Kelburne's two, who so resolutely refused that their riders gave up the point as hopeless, thus reducing the Field to six. Sir David continued his lead, and took his flights of rails with un

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flinching nerve, followed well by Mr. Lamb and Lord Drumlanrig, Captain Spottiswoode taking a little to the right. The Marquis put his horse gallantly at an in-and-out fence, but failed, and was no more seen." The other horses cleared their jumps well, Mr. Bogle_and Captain Spottiswoode joining the groupe, and all looking well, Lord Drumlanrig, however, being minus a stirrup, and his horse pulling hard. At the next fence, the ch. g. fell, by which Mr. Bogle's collarbone was broken, which precluded his further appearance. On coming to a lane, Cottager bolted up it, his rider, from having lost his stirrup, being unable to keep him in the line, and Mr. Lamb followed, thereby leaving the contest to Pioneer and Sambo. Sir David, being satisfied that his strongest opponents were now got rid of, gave his horse a pull, then resolutely put him to work, and went in an easy winner.-Both races were well contested throughout, and it adds not a little to the reputation of good jockeyship that the same horses and riders won the same races last year.

this

HOW TO BUY A HORSE.

BY AN AMATEUR.

(Continued from our last Volume, page 451.)

ON THE DEFECTS OF HORSES-CONTINUED.

I HAVE now to speak of blemishes about the legs of various descriptions. Those most frequently met with are broken knees and marks of cauterisation. A badly broken knee never fails to leave a mark, and very generally some swelling, by which it is easily detected; but there are cases where the hurt received has been so slight that scarcely any scar is observable. In these last cases, however, the hair growing over the injured part almost always is slightly curled, and, where you observe appearance, take up the horse's leg, bend the knee, and rub the hair back, when you will frequently be able to detect a scar which various applications, as ointments of different colors, may have contributed to conceal. Some horses in falling may receive scars on the nose and some part of the head; but these are such inveterate tumblers as generally to leave pretty evident proofs of their propensity to kiss Mother Earth without giving you much trouble to seek for them. This fault sometimes becomes a habit, and may arise from a bad formation of the shoulders and fore legs, from bad riding, bad action, or tender feet; but when a horse breaks his knees purely by accident, of course an endless variety of causes may produce such a catastrophe. You must remark, when the scar is very slight, and you disregard it, whether the horse be weak and groggy on his fore legs-that is, if the knees and fetlocks appear to bend and give way under him, and if his legs be puffy and shew much signs of work. You must then examine the formation of the foot, and look also if he have a bad thrush (of which I shall speak presently), rotten frogs, or any other sign of tender feet, which may have occasioned him to tumble. Examine afterwards his action, and see if there be anything in that to account for his fall; and wherever you find the fault to exist, attribute the accident to that and that only, without paying the very slightest regard to the account which

VOL. XIX.-SECOND SERIES.-No. 110,

M

the dealer will never fail to give of it, provided he find that he cannot bully you into the belief that the horse has never broken his knees at all.

Whenever you find fault with a horse, a dealer's first care is to put forward an opinion completely opposite to yours, to see if you know anything about the matter. Thus if you say, "I think this horse turns his toes in, and is hollow-backed;" it is ten to one but the reply is, "Turns 'em in, do you? well I thinks now, if anything, he turns 'em out; and as for being hollow-backed, he is no more hollow-backed than you are; but his rump's so preciously covered with muscle that he may seem so to them that isn't a judge." Of course, if you are not in the habit of dealing with these gentry, you think a horse-jockey's judgment must be as good as your own, and you are therefore disposed to give way a little; so that a medium being drawn between the two opinions, the horse neither turns his toes in nor out, but stands pretty straight; and if his back appear a little hollow, it is not sufficiently so to be considered a fault. So with respect to broken knees, the accounts of the accident are various. If you want the horse for harness or the road, "he is a mettlesome nag, and struck his knee agin the manger while he was being cleaned :" if for a hunter, "he jist touched the top of a turnpike gate, or a six-feet wall, that Jem Somebody, when he was drunk, rid him over at night for a wager." If you really are a good judge of a horse, never ask any questions at all respecting one you are examining; and if the dealer perceive that you go scientifically to work in this matter, you will have the full history of your nag respecting every blemish and fault which you appear to criticise without the trouble of asking anything about him. Having heard, but at the same time paid no attention to the owner's oratory, which flows as glibly as that of a raree-showman, draw your own conclusions respecting the horse, and either say he will not suit you, or, if you are in doubt upon that point, take care to have a good trial ere you put him into your own stable.

Of the marks left by the actual cautery I need say but little; for though the operation of firing is so carefully, and at the same time occasionally so slightly, performed as not to leave any very perceptible trace (particularly where the cauterized part is well covered over by the hair from above), yet a sufficient blemish will invariably result from the application of a hot iron, to be easily detected with a very little inspection of the part. Many horses fired for a variety of causes are by this operation rendered perfectly sound; but, in such instances, the blemish is not alone to be taken into consideration; you must observe narrowly for what disease a horse has been fired, and then judge whether, though sound on trial, he is likely to remain so on being brought into the work for which you require him. Experience alone can enable you to form anything like a correct judgment on this point; but it is as well to remember, that, in the modern practice of Veterinary Surgery, the actual cautery is only resorted to after all minor means of cure have failed; and, therefore, a fired horse may very fairly be set down as having, at one time or another, been the subject of some disease, or accident of a grave nature. Formerly great numbers of horses were fired for complaints which other remedies of a less powerful nature have since been found of sufficient efficacy to remove; indeed, so far