metry and beauty, and is quite equal to carry thirteen stone. To the untutored eye he may not appear to have much bone; but he is all sinew, and his joints are well knit and admirably proportioned; and Mr. Neville (who had been for some time riding rather slack) has to thank him

JOURNAL OF MR. SMITH'S

SIR,

for being enabled to resume his wonted place, as he has done, during the finish of the season.

I shall write again shortly to you, though not respecting Meltonian affairs: meantime, with best wishes, I remain yours truly, Mr. Editor,

AN INVISIBLE.

SHOULD the following extracts from my hunting log for the past season be suited to the pages of your Magazine, insert them: if not, the paper may be formed into allumetis with which to light the speckled Havanna, a weed not to be despised in these times of croaking, cholera, and influenza-luckily, bythe-bye, the latter did not make its appearance before the close of the season. My principal object is to introduce to your notice and that of your numerous readers, a pack of harriers belonging to Mr. Smith of Uckfield, who have been dealing death and destruction to a nobler object of pursuit than puss.

A large tract of country between the East Sussex and the Surrey, having no fox-hounds to hunt it, Mr. Smith brought his pack to Pressridge, on the 1st of December, to draw for a fox. A varmint was quickly a-foot, and went away through Hindleap, Broadstone, and Peppingford: the hounds, a good and

even

pack, were running him well, pressed rather too much, as Shaw (a Sporting Vet) would have it, by the riders, when in the middle of an open field the deep-toned

note was suddenly silenced, and the hounds one and all threw up. A drain betrayed the skulkingplace: spades, pick-axes, &c., were soon in requisition, and our friend discovered. When unearthed-tell it not at Melton, proclaim it not in the fields of Leicestershire-without giving the poor devil one yard, although half drowned, the hounds were permitted to chop her as she came out from her hiding place! I blush for the Master who allowed it, and.........who advised it.

Dec. 7.-Drew the same covert as above-good drag, but no find. At half past twelve, however, a vixen of the right sort broke covert, and went away at a rattling pace over the Forestlucus a non lucendo, I suppose, for devil a tree is there on itthrough Hindleap, down to Bram. bletye. Here an unfortunate check let in the stagglers and road-riders, whom we could not again shake off the whole run, which continued for upwards of two hours, when a rattling big drain in Kidbrooke afforded as I hoped a secure asylum for a good one. But no-the sanguinary mania was not yet appeased, and another murder took

place. In a bad scenting country like the one we crossed this day, clipping riding is out of the question. Hounds cannot go any pace, and I would therefore advise Mr. S-y, if he wants to display the acquirements of his black horse, to choose some other country, and not to be always before hounds: for however keen his nose may be, he cannot kill so good a fox as was running before The son of a man mentioned in Billesdon Coplow ought to, and I am sure does, know better.

us.

ere

Dec. 24.-Chailey North Common being the fixture for the East Sussex, I met them. The hounds, on being thrown into covert, got on a drag, and many minutes "tally-ho" was heard, and away we went across the road towards Firle, whence he turned again to the westward, and was making for the Downs, but being headed by a person on the road, he moved back towards his morning quarters, which fate had settled he was no more to reach; for after passing through a large covert in a straightforward way, he was headed back by a countryman, and the cheering "who-whoop" was given after a run of one hour and thirtyfive minutes, the pace quite fast enough for most, and the fencing at one time not over easy.

Dec. 28.-Met Smith's harriers at a covert of Lord de la Warre's, by name "the Five Hundred Acres," rather too much of it, but beautiful lying. The keeper took us to what he deemed the right place, and away we went dodging about after something. No fox was viewed, neither was it like the running of one, and being unable to make anything of it, we went away to Crowbo

rough Warren, and quickly found a right good-'un, who led us a pretty dance towards Eridge, where he turned back through the Five Hundred Acres to his old quarters, where we lost him, the scent having been for some time very bad.

Dec. 31. To finish the old year in a rational way, I met the East Sussex at Handall Wood, a covert of Lord Liverpool's, and containing, generally speaking, some good ones. One of this family we found, who for one hour and three quarters rattled away before us, and eventually beat us in the Plashets.

A.

1833, Jan. 1.-As I ended the old year, so did I begin the new one, meeting Smith's hounds at Ashdown House. At twentyfive minutes after eleven puggy broke covert, and for twenty-five minutes the pace was severe. stranger in the country, I was forced in self-defence to be with the hounds, for a thick fog prevented us seeing three fields a-head. Crossing the Lewes road, the varmint made for the Plaw Wood (leaving Forest Row to the left), through which he went straight, and then turned towards Horsted Keynes, when being headed, he made for West Hoathley. Here we were checked. for about ten minutes, letting stragglers join us, and giving the other prads a pull, not before it was wanted, as the bellows department of most was sadly out of order. Forward, however, was again the order of the day, across the Lindfield-road, through Chittingly Rocks, where, like a good-'un, he disdained to take refuge; up to Wakehurst, and away for the Rowfant coverts, taking in some part of Tilgate

Forest. In the grounds of Mr. Graham we changed our fox, I think. Of the run from this time I must make use of the account given me, for of those who started from Ashdown in the morning only two held on-Mr. C. and a farmer. These were joined by Mr. C. B-on his shooting pony, and the trio, succeeding in laying on to the scent some six or eight couple of hounds, went away hallooing and screeching like mad. A temporary check at a brook let in Mr. Smith's whip, who had changed his horse: he, like a hare-hunter, persisted in making his casts everywhere except forward, until over-persuaded by Mr. C. and B. Upon throwing the hounds over the brook, they immediately settled to the scent, and the four horsemen fording went away again till twenty-five minutes after four, when the approach of night rendered it advisable to whip off and seek the turnpike_road, which was hit upon at Lovel's Heath on one of the Brighton roads, being about sixteen miles from the start. The pace, except the first and last, was slow. With regular foxhounds I venture to say it would have been a most brilliant day's sport, and few, if any, could have kept their places.

January 18.-Smith's harriers met at Forest Row, and proceeded to a piece of gorse at the back of Ashdown House, where we expected to meet our new year's friend; but the foot-people, of whom there were swarms, had doubtless moved him, and he was not at home. We then drew an adjoining covert, and ere long "tally-ho" was given from the top of the hill. At twenty minutes after twelve, the pack, now

strengthened with three couple and a half of fox-hounds, acknowledged the scent, which was good, and broke away in fine style for Thornhill. Here being headed, he turned away past Picksted, across the Tonbridge Wells-road, over the Forest to Broadstone, through which the merry pack rattled at a devil of a pace, puggy being just seven minutes a-head, and then to Peppingford. Here a momentary check enabled those few who were with the hounds to draw bit, and the nags began to require it. Quickly hitting it off, we bore away through the fir-plantations of Peppingford towards the Vetchery, skirting which he drew round to Old Lodge, right through the plantations there towards Newbridge, where another check let in the lane-riders, not a few. A good cast of Mr. Smith's again put us on terms with the enemy, who made to and through the Vetchery across the Forest to Pressridge, as straight as a line, through that on to the Forest, where there never is any good scenting. A lucky halloo made us carry on, the hounds once more picked up the scent, and away we went for Plaw Hatch, leaving that to, the right; we rounded past General Sewell's house, and back to Pressridge, where the hounds got a view of the varmint running at a clipping pace through the bars at the end, and keeping him in view for a few fields, ran in to an uncommonly fine dog-fox in an open field in three hours and one quarter from the time of breaking covert. Great credit is due to Mr. Smith and his hounds for their work this day. The pace was not the whole time fast, but

the beginning and finish for the country we had to go through was sufficient.

February 1st.-Smith's hounds met at Pressridge, found a fox, had a good run, but were obliged to whip off at dusk near Ardingly. February 8th.-Met at Witchcross. Drew Broadstone, the coverts about the High Beeches, and the Vetchery, blank: tried Peppingford; drag in every direction, but no find. Trotted away for a piece of gorse which had not been disturbed all the season, but on our way drew some brakes in a rather sheltered position, when from under the hounds' noses a rare varmint jumped up. Never was a find more welcome! -time half past two, and everything proclaiming it a hunting day. Puggy rattled away across the Forest, through the Five Hundred Acres, past Crowborough Mill, into the plantations, when turning short back he again went down the Five Hundred Acres, where we met with a temporary check. The pace up to this had been most severe, the time fifty minutes, and no complaint was made that the hounds could not race; thorough-bred horses were at a premium. Hitting off the scent, we passed through Buckhurst Park, where we were somewhat bothered by halloos in vari

ous directions; but fortunately the hounds stuck to the right scent, and from the way in which the varmint was now running, it was pretty evident that death would be his lot, which event took place near Penns Rocks, in one hour and three quarters from the find.

February 15.-Smith's hounds met at Forest Row. Drew the covert at Ashdown blank, passed on towards Hammer Wood, where two hounds were trapped-this does not look like preserving foxes, Mr. M-! but I am told you expressed your sorrow at the "untoward event," and I believe you. Luck was against us this day, which proved the first blank.

This was the close of Mr. Smith's career for the last season. With a small subscription it is his intention to hunt regularly twice a-week, and the generality of land-owners have promised their support as far as preserving foxes goes. Some opposition must be expected at first; but I trust nothing insuperable will be met with.-Should the above be acceptable to you, I shall continue occasionally to indite a few lines, and wishing you the success, which from the spirited way in which "the Mag" is conducted you deserve, I am, yours, &c. WELTER.

SIR, I Am happy in being enabled to forward to you the inclosed remarks, which have been by accident mislaid, or you would have received them sooner. needless, I think, to say that they

June 6, 1833.

DEAR

SINCE I last wrote to you we have had a capital February in the Gloucestershire country, of part of which I must send you a short account. Stanton Park opened the ball; and from it away we went a very good pace by Foxley, turned to the right by Weston Birt, and continued on over a fine country to Shipton Wood, where pug succeeded in getting to ground at the breeding earths in that fine covert. The hounds were then trotted on to Higham, and found a fresh fox in Higham gorses, who went instantly away at a most brilliant pace, over as magnificent, though severe, a line as could be selected; and, after a ring, returned to Higham, where he was run in to, after having given a very complete breather to most of the very superior nags that invariably are to be found with this princely establishment.

Day the second.-After having drawn Alderton Grove and Cernell Wood, the gentleman was found in the Draycott country, but went away with a most indifferent scent, and was finally lost near Mr. Neale's new purchase at Grittleton. Towards three o'clock Mr. Long then again introduced his pigeons to Stanton Park; found without trouble, and went instantly away at a most clipping pace to and through Draycott, thence bearing away for the left, and on for Bincomb, but skirting

that covert, and then proceeding through a vale remarkable for its stiffness and deepness (being chiefly composed of a strong marly soil), to Corston village, where, most opportunely I believe may be added, a check ensued ; a thick fog of steam speedily arising from the happy few who were fortunate enough to be up. By a little good management, however, he was again hit off in the direction of Malmesbury, and, having crossed the river, went on in a straight line at an awfully stopping pace into Mr. Moreton's country to Minety Pound, beyond which they ran in to him in a hedge-row, after as splendid a run as was ever witnessed, at a pace too most astonishingly

severe.

On another day they met at Dyrham Park, the well-known hospitable mansion of a true lover of our manly sport†, and a most indefatigable preserver of the animal. On this occasion, on drawing Dyrham Wood, a leash of foxes were unkennelled, but two of whom being unfortunately killed in covert, they were obliged to hit upon the line of the third, who had selected an indifferent line towards Monk Wood, in Mr. Horlock's country; and passing that covert they carried him on to the Rocks, where he went to ground in the large breeding earths belonging to that Gentleman. His Grace then trotted