seat) covered with canvas to keep out the wash of water below-bridge. This was a very necesssary precaution, as he had to encounter very heavy swells caused by the steamers, and his awning or covering having the best effect in preventing the consequences of the wash over his gunwale, but which he was frequently obliged to sponge out. The above task was some years since accomplished by Mr. Harben and Williams in 12 h. 16m., and Mr. Cresswell and Lewis (a waterman) two years since completed the same undertaking in 11h. 40 m., the shortest time the distance was ever performed.

ROYAL SAILING SOCIETY.

SIR-May I request the favour of you to correct a mis-statement that appeared in your Journal relative to the proceed ings of the Royal Sailing Society respecting the Cup sailed for on the 28th of June last, and presented by Her Majesty.

You state, that the Committee awarded it to the owner of the Water Witch; which was not the case, as will appear by the Resolutions underneath, which I have copied for your perusal :

At a meeting of the Sailing Committee of the Royal Sailing Society, holden the 4th of July, Sir Gerard Noel Noel, Bart. in the Chair

B. C. Bucknall, Esq. (the Society's Captain) stated, that he had delivered to the Captain of each yacht sailing in the match on the 28th June the following instructions :

"Start from your anchors upon the Middlesex side of the boat off the Powderhouse, Wandsworth Meadows, and down on the Surrey side, passing the Society's flag-boat off Chelsea, on the Middlesex side."

Mr. Bucknall, and Messrs. Roberts and Field (umpires), reported to the meeting that the Fortitude had strictly complied with their written instructions, which the Water Witch had violated by passing the Society's flag-boat on the Surrey side of the River at the termination of the match, instead of the Middlesex side.

This resolution was confirmed at a meeting holden on the 13th July.-(Signed)

H. CHOLMONDELEY, Chairman. At a meeting of the Members of the Royal Sailing Society on the 13th of July, Lord H. Cholmondeley in the Chair, the Secretary reported, that on the day of the match, the 28th of June, the Cup and Cover had been delivered to Mr. James Unwin, of the Water Witch, as the supposed winner of the Match, Mr. Unwin having come forward and declared himself the winner of the same; and owing to the confusion of the moment, and the umpires, Messrs. Roberts, Bucknall, and Field (who afterwards reported that Mr. Unwin was not entitled to the prize), not

having arrived off Sir W. Gordon's grounds in sufficient time to prevent the same, the Cup and Cover had been surreptiously obtained by Mr. James Unwin.

The Secretary further reported, that Mr. Unwin had refused to deliver the Cup and Cover to the Sailing Society's Captain, when requested to do so, until the decision of the Society thereon should be known.

It was resolved, that the Water Witch, not having obeyed her sailing instructions, was not entitled to the Cup and Cover, she having come in at the termination of the match on the Surrey instead of the Middlesex side of the Society's boat.

It was resolved, that the Fortitude having strictly complied with the Sailing Regulations, is hereby declared the winner of the Silver Cup and Cover, which is accordingly awarded to Mr. Billings.

HENRY W. FIELD, Clerk. August 18, 1832, Oliver's Coffee House, Bridge-street, Westminster.

A match was in contemplation between the Brilliant and the Water Witch, which, however, is done away with by a dreadful accident having happened to the former. Biddle, who had the charge of the vessel in the absence of her Noble proprietor, went to Gravesend on Sunday the 19th with a party of friends, and on returning, when off Purfleet, a sudden squall came on and the vessel went down stern foremost, and six out of eight perished with her.

PIGEON SHOOTING.

The Red-House Club have not met regularly this season, but there has been some good bye-shooting. The matches, however, which excited the greatest interest and much speculation, were between Mr. Bloodsworth and Mr. Osbaldeston. The first at 30 birds was a tie, each killing 28. In the second, at 28 birds, Mr. B. killed 25, and Mr. O. 22. The third, which took place on the 22d of August, at 30 birds, the shooting was admirable, and up to the 23d bird it was a tie. Mr. B., however, ultimately won by killing 25, whilst Mr. O. dropt but 22. They then shot at two bye birds, and all were killed. In the "tottle of the whole," out of 90 birds, Mr. B. killed 80, and Mr. O. 75. A match between these "crack ones" is talked of for 5001. or 10001. to come off at the Inclosure in the Spring.

ARCHERY.

On the 25th of July the Duke of Buc cleuch, President of the Council of the King's Body Guard, presented a pair of new colours, the gift of His Majesty, to the Royal Company of Archers at Edinburgh, the Members appearing in their new costume, Lincoln green, with a crimson cord.

The Selwood Foresters had a grand day on Wednesday, August &, on the magnificent terrace at Stourhead, a spot at once admirably suited by Nature and tastefully selected for the practice of this enchanting sport, which was thrown open for the above Company by that excellent Patron and promoter of hilarity and good-brotherhood, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Baronet., the variety and beauty of whose property enables him to indulge the public to so great an extent, and with a liberality for which he has been so many years distinguished. The sun shone brightly, and the whole scene was most animating. The shooting was excellent, and was kept up with the greatest spirit, for two elegant prizes presented by the Patron, and after a spirited contest they were delivered by the Lady Patroness to Miss Doveton and Mr. J. B. Doveton. More than 200 people then sat down to an excellent collation in the pavilion, which was most tastefully decorated; and afterwards, on the proposition of Mr. Seymour, so great was the anxiety to enjoy once more during the present season a repetition of such sociability, that a large body of the Members entered into a subscription for that purpose, and the grounds at Fonthill were selected as the next best adapted for such a meet, after those in which they were luxuriating. The field was again resorted to, and a Gentleman's prize was contended for, and won by the Rev. C. Plucknett; when the Gentlemen having received and accepted the challenge from the Ladies to try their skill in archery, eight on each side began a most animated contest, which at first was a drawn battle, but was finally won by the fair sex by a triumphant majority of 32 to 4!!! Upon this signal victory, which was not achieved till the moon shone brightly, the band, playing "See the conquering Hero comes,'

met

The South Saxon Archers held their third meeting on Friday the 17th in Coneyborough Park, which was attended by upwards of 100 fashionables. The shoot. ing commenced at one o'clock, and continued until nearly four, when the company sat down to a very excellent dinner. Shooting was resumed after dinner; some of the party at the same time, however, commencing dancing, which was kept up till seven, when the company separated. The prizes were two pairs of arrows for the best numbers for the Ladies, and two pairs of arrows for the best numbers for the Gentlemen, the latter of which was won by Mr. Heathcote Campion, and the former by Miss Campion. There were two additional prizes presented for the best gold, or bull's eye. one a beautiful porcelain ornament, and the other a massive pencil case-the first won by the Rev. C. Goring, and the other by Miss Mary Thomas.

Their last meeting for the season was on the 22d, when the grand prizes were contended for at three pairs of targets The company was not so numerous as at the three former meetings, owing to the unpropitious state of the weather. At four o'clock about 70 members and their friends sat down to dinner, at the conclusion of which shooting was resumed, nd continued until half-past six, when the target papers were made up, and the prizes distributed by Lady Gage, the Lady Patroness, as follows:-The Gentlemen's first prize, for numbers, a gold watch and chain, to Mr. Barchard: the Ladies' first prize, a beautiful lace veil. to Miss Julia Cripps :-the Gentlemen's second prize, for numbers, a handsome gold pencil case, to Mr. Ogle: the Ladies' second prize, a splendid shawl, to Miss Campion. Lord Gage presented to Miss Partington. Miss Julia Cripps, and Miss Isabella Shiffner, each an elegant hat and feather, as the best gold at each pair of targets. After the distribution of the prizes, dancing was commenced unde a spacious marquee, which was kept up until nearly dark.

The West Essex Archers met on the 15th at their spacious and beautiful Archery Lawn, at Harlow Bush. Among the party were Sir T. Lennard, Sir Wm. Heygate, Mr. Hall Dare, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Bramston, ard most of the families of distinction in that and the adjoining counties, amounting altogether to upwards of 170. The weather proved highly propitious for the entertainments of the day, and the shooting was altogether of the firstrate description. A splendid ball closed the amusements of the day. The dancing was kept up with great spirit (enlivened by Weipnert's band) till a late hour, when the distinguished assembly separated, highly delighted with the pleasing recreations of the day.