different line of conduct would I have ensured him a continuance of the attachment of his old friends, and a fair chance of making new ones! Three "A nos moutons." 1 packs of hounds are, Deo volente, to open the ball, within tolerable reach of urbanic devotees, in October:- -the Duke of Buccleuch's; Lord Elcho's new hounds—a new packed Committee, but I am afraid composed of all kinds of canine political opinions, which it will require 1 very considerable talent in their Horseman (I can't say Chairman) to keep them together; and the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire hounds, now sent back to I try the resources of their own counties for sport, having bade adieu to the Dunse country for the present. Of the latter pack 1 Mr. Ramsay of Barnton still remains Master; and I regret to say he still is undergoing considerable pain and annoyance from the accident which occurred to his right eye (I believe) in the beginning of the last season, which has obliged him to have a patch of silk over it in order to defend it from the light; but it is a cheering circumstance, that, within these few weeks, a piece of stubble has come out of the corner of the eye, and has given reason to think that its previous exist ence there had been the cause of the weakness Mr. R. has so long suffered from since the time the accident took place.-Excuse this digression; but every one who has the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. Ramsay must feel a sympathy for him, and be interested in his welfare and wellbeing. which Mr. R. has before him, there is no lack of foxes in the counties of Stirling and Linlithgow; and Lord Kelburne has kindly given leave to Mr. Ramsay to hunt a portion of the Lanark country lying on the south side of the road leading to Lanark, which grant will enable Scott to be less severe on the coverts lying round Edinburgh and Linlithgow, which, if too much rattled, might incline the tods to emigration-a malady already too much the fashion among the bipeds made up of frail clay in this part of the world. In the new arrangement made by the Master of the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hounds, it is settled that the kennels and stables of Barnton shall be in disuse during the season; and a manor, with some very thriving coverts, has been rented by Mr. Ramsay, where he has fitted up a kennel and stables sufficient for the Commissariat, where the hounds and horses, men, &c. will hold their Court at the periods when Linlithgow and Lanark coverts are hunted; and Lauriston kennels and stables are used as before when the meets are in Stirlingshire. Having gone thus far, Mr. Editor, you may perhaps wonder at my not giving you some sketch of Lord Elcho's plans and establishment; but that I cannot do, as I never visit that part of the world where his Lordship resides, and I believe I am a great loser, as I well know he is an excellent man, and as good a sportsman as ever rode to hounds; and I wish him every success in his new career. In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I As to the prospect of sport may say that a gay time awaits the opening of the season here, as the Caledonian Hunt and Elcho Races are to go off together; and as last year was, from the melancholy visitation of pestilence, one of dull and despairing gloom, there is every reason to expect a bumper in the cup of hilarity. That racing, hating, dancing, drinking (in mde ration), crowned with unanimity and good humour, will be happily and triumphantly the order of the day, and that all may go on well, and give pleasure to the different votaries of Diana, Olympus, Bacchus, and Terpsichore, is the sincere prayer of YOUR OLD FRIEND. Drumshorlane, July 18. A LETTER FROM “ PEEPING TOM OF COVENTRY.” MR. EDITOR, Hope soon to be better acquainted with you, and then it will be, MY DEAR MR. EDITOR, pray have the goodness to allow me a place in your beautiful, correct, well written, and widely-circulated publication. Just compliments, you know, Sir, ought to be paid, as well as any other debt; and having the honour, moreover, to be born in the same neighbourhood with the Immortal Shakspeare, with everything about me the same, with the exception of a few trifles, such as genius, &c. which deficiency (if it is one) is more than made up by reading the Sporting Magazine; for who, I would ask, can read the spirited descriptions of ALFRED HIGHFLYER, of OBSER VATOR, and THE YOUNG FORESTER without catching some of their fire? I am determined to try my hand, with your permission, beginning with BRIGHTON and finishing at the Land'send. I already know (from being told) that small beginnings sometimes have great ends: that my family have been celebrated for ages (you know) for curiosity and looking after things; and if I should but prove to have a full share of their presumption also, I am sure to succeed: and, by way of originality, mean to give my description after I have subscribed myself, Your obedient servant, PEEPING TOM, Coventry, August 12, 1833. BRIGHTON RACES. FIRST DAY, August 7th-a Match for 50 sovs., one mile. Mr. Gardnor's Friar Tuck, 8st. 9lb. beat Mr. Martyn's Herrier, 9st., both 4 yrs old. It was very liberal in Mr. Martyn to give five pounds to Friar Tuck, as nobody ever would think of giving to friars in these times. To be sure, nothing could be worse poor than the Friar, unless Herrier, who relieved him. Pavis rode the winner, and won by a length. The Brighton Stakes of 25 sovs. each, for which five started-not much of a bustle of course, as the Judge had time to place the whole. Lord Uxbridge won it with Rubini, at perfect ease, carrying Boyce at 9st. 2lb., a length-Lucetta, 9st. 1lb. second. Poor Lucetta is reduced to receive favors, instead of giving them! Friar Tuck, at 7st. 2lb., and 4 yrs old, was third, and just forward enough to convince us how contemptible a bad Friar is: Baleine fourth, and Damascus fifth and last. The Sussex Plate of 50 sovs. for horses of different ages, for which five started (heats), and rather agreeable, as one horse won them both, each by a length: this was Mr. Gardnor's Emilius colt, his dam Black Daphne: the other four, Norna, Dryad's Sister, Hodge, and Witch, running heads and tails without one distinguishing good quality about them. The Town Plate of 50 sovs.-and to shew that money is useful even here, five again came in contact for it. The first heat was won by Sir M. Wood's Contriver, but he could not scheme to be forward enough to be second, for another. Mr. Coleman's Doctor Sewell, by way of fees, took the second heat, but lost his medical rank by being beaten for the two last, which were won by Mr. Shackle's Trump, shewing what a fine thing a trump is (even a low one) towards the end of a game. If the London visitors had as much dipping as they had of racing this day, they must be restored to that colour, or nearly so, which Nature intended for them. SECOND DAY, the Gold Cup of 100gs. value was won by Mr. Cosby's Gallopade by a head, with difficulty of course, finely rode by Arnull. Sir G. Heathcote's Samarcand, 3 yrs old, and Sir M. Wood's Lucetta, aged, were the sufferers in other respects it was a fine gratifying contest. A Sweepstakes of 25 sovs. eachFive ran for it for about half a mile, when it was won easy by two lengths by Pavis on Mr. Gardnor's Whalebone colt, his dam Luna-what George the Third's head page used to call "bright Phoebe;" Lord Egremont's Caroline filly second, Pigeon third, Sister to Alea fourth, and Lorenzo last. The Albion Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft.-Three came to the place appointed, and made a very fine race of it. Sir G. Heathcote's Samarcand won it by a head, rode by Buckle in a style which we hope will keep up the family name; Mr. Gardnor's Myrrha second, and Lord Egremont's Skim filly-Centaur's dam, third. and the distances ran, if given only when the printer's devil is sober! he must be a drunken devil indeed! FRIDAY, the third and last of the sports-three races on paper, but being spun out into heats, made the day long enough, even to those who love plenty for their money. The first, a Sweepstakes of 30 sovs. each, 20 ft., five subs.-won by a length by Mr. Gardnor's Comet, by Whalebone, his dam Luna, the Windsor Planet "bright Phoebe," beating the Duke of Richmond's Ketchup. The Duke's Ketchup is very good in quality, but not strong enough to sustain 9st. 2lb.; but General Grosvenor thought otherwise, and paid 20 ft. for his Pigeon: Mr. Cosby did the same for Stradbally; as did Mr. Forth for his Imbar. The Handicap Plate of 50 sovs., two-mile heats.-Nine put their names down in order to try the judgment of these dispensers of justice, with which five of them were so dissatisfied as to "back out." Mr. Clark's Raven as "pleased as punch," the jockey as "black as a crow," and the master merry as a grig," won the first heat; after which Doctor Sewell gave them such a dose by winning the two next, that they were soon restored to tranquillity-Baleine, 3d, 3d, and 3d; Augur, 4th, 4th, and 4th. These two evidently worked by the day, “not by the piece." as The Ladies' Plate of 50 sovs. for horses of all ages, beginning at threeyear-olds and upwards-Seven entered and six started-heats; the New Course.-Ida, Mr. Gardnor's, won it, as he does all the Ladies' favours, indeed all hearts, and all the money, with the aid of his pretty jockey (Pavis), good grooming, and a well-managed stud; thus winning five times in three days: Mr. Shackle's Trump second and third; Donegani fifth and second; Doctor Sewell Mr. Martyn's fourth and drawn. This being a short day's sport, it gives me time to find fault with Brighton for permitting such a contemptible list of their races to go forth to the world :-the paper so bad as if there was no Sir John Key in the world! the name of a jockey seldom or never mentioned, as if they had no hand in a race!-but indeed they have! the colours of the riders VOL. VII. SECOND SERIES.No. 41. Herrier bolted at the turn to come home, with a conviction that for peace and rest" there is no place like home." Arnull the jockey, out of his "element" certainly, turned his four3 G wheel-chaise over, with himself and daughter. To turn a horse, we give him credit; to turn a pony, few are more anxious or more successful; and to keep it when turned, he has not his equal: but his presumption to attempt to turn a four-wheeled chaise is unaccountable-he must have been mad; only that Goodisson, his phi SIR, losophical friend, says, that "none but the sensible ever go mad." Everybody lamented the fright that occurred to his pretty little interesting daughter, who, as soon as she recovered from it, said, with a tear standing in her beautiful eye, "What a pity my dear mother didn't take the reins into her own hand!" A FEW LINES FROM DASHWOOD. HAVING been unexpectedly summoned away and detained from home, it will, I fear, be out of my power to send you the continuation of "The Sportsman's Summer" in time for your Number for September. This, though I myself regret the disappointment, will perhaps be rather a matter of rejoicing to your readers. The infliction, however, shall be doubled on them in the October month, when the subject will be concluded. I hope also in my next inclosure to you to send some remarks on betting, and what the world calls "gambling" in general, which have been suggested by some occurrences in the neighbourhood where I have been lately staying. Fear not, however, gentle reader, that I am about either to inflict a St. Agnew diatribe on your patience, or to break out like a black-leg into an enthusiastic rhapsody on the virtues and excitements of speculation. It will be neither in the character of Saint nor Sinner that I shall presume to offer myself to your notice: but being deeply anxious to combat an idea somewhat prevalent in certain quarters-namely, that the pitch" of betting is blacker and more tenacious than any other gaming pitch" whatever, save that of the 66 SIR, dice-that he who "touches it must of necessity be defiled" beyond the power of a patent washing companyand that, in short, to put a pony on the back of a favorite for Derby, Oaks, or Leger, is to commit an almost inexpiable sin :-being anxious, I repeat, to place this matter, if possible, in its proper light, and to hold a kind of mirror to not a few of those who are loudest against the Ring at Tattersall's, wherein they may see themselves else where reflected as gamblers of the first water both in heart and practice-it is with this, I trust, not reprehensible intention of applying the tu quoque to many a "sober citizen" of the day, and of rescuing "the book" from much of the odium which the said "sobersides" would unhesitatingly cast on it, that I am induced to take up the cudgels however vainly or inefficiently. In all likelihood, in the course of the discussion, certain facts will be brought to light, and certain anecdotes related, that will shew up the true Pandemonium of London gambling (not Crockford's) in its proper colours. I abstain, however, entirely from anticipation, and until October say farewell! 21st August, 1833. SINGULAR ANECDOTE. OBSERVING that the anecdote communicated by DASHWOOD in your last, concerning the fawn which was suckled for a time by a hound bitch, is considered as something very extraordinary, I beg leave to mention DASHWOOD. Pittachar, N. B. August 10, 1833. a circumstance somewhat similar, and to the full as singular, which occurred in this neighbourhood some years since, and of which I was often an eye-witness. In the dropping time of 1823, as one of the sons of Mr. A. Scott, gamekeeper at Monzie Castle, about three miles hence, was going up a large wood called the Knock, to look at some traps, he came upon a rae (female roe deer) who had just dropped a fawn, which he secured and took home. There was then at Broughty, where they lived, a little old cocker bitch, called Gip, who for years had but three legs-one being taken off in a trap-and who was also nearly blind with age, but who had been such a trump that they bred from her to the last, then suckling one spaniel whelp, her last progeny. The roe was put to her, and she took to it, to the exclusion of her own pup, who died, though she had been noted SIR, ones. for tracking roe deer. When the fawn wanted her, it made its natural cry, and she would come limping to it, and render it every motherly office. It was reared and given, when half grown, to a Gentleman of the name of M'Comish, now in India, whose brother, a Naval Officer, resides in Crieff. Had I nothing but my own assertion to substantiate this, I should not have mentioned it, as it might (to the ill-natured at least) appear like a thing got up for the nonce; but as all the bipeds concerned happen to be alive and kicking, I send it to you to make it public, if you like; if not, there is at least no harm done. YORK AUGUST MEETING. HE number of horses assem THE bled was in nowise to be complained of: I think we had no less than fifty present, though they were more of the young ones than old The attendance of Gentlemen was on the whole thinner than usual: perhaps the reason can only be explained by pointing to the reports in our daily papers, shewing the enormous length of tongue possessed by some of the inmates of St. Stephen's Chapel-tending of course not a little to injure the country, by compelling a very great number of Noblemen and Gentlemen, as well as their family connections and others, to reside and thereby dispose of their wealth in the Metropolis, although they may sigh to be once more "Far removed from noise and smoke." How much should we profit could we put a prohibition on the length of each Session, and prevent it detaining the Members beyond a limited period, and thereby enable them to expend their income among a grateful tenantry, who perhaps mostly tend to produce 66 a consummation so it. By such devoutly to be wished," how much the Racing, Hunting, Shooting, Coursing, and other sports of our country would be benefited, and re A QUARTOGENARIAN. ceive additional vigour, from sources of increasing patronizers, who are by Parliamentary duties prevented from enjoying those "health inspiring joys!" In addition to this evil, which has not a little injured several Meetings, the eve of the sportsman's summons, "The Moor Game Season," would draw away many who otherwise would have been present on the occasion. However, be it from what cause it may, the assemblage as regards numbers was certainly only moderate. The weather was indeed hot, and the extreme drought which had preceded the Meeting for some weeks caused the course to be very hard-some of the jockeys declared it was never harder; but in this I do not quite agree with them, for I have known it much more so than on the present occasion. TUESDAY.-The day's exhibition commenced with the Yorkshire Stake, St. Leger distance; and although we had four of the engaged ones on the Yorkshire like, spot, two of them, and cautious ever," shyet shewing against the other two, which at the best were but of questionable cha racter. One of these shyers was the GREAT ROCKINGHAM! Shame on him |