retired to partake of an elegant dejeuné at five o'clock. Dancing subsequently commenced, and was sustained with great animation until an early hour on the following morning, when the company retired highly delighted with the festivities of the day.

The same Club held their last Vale meeting for the season on the 1st of August. On this occasion a handsome Silver Cup was presented by the Rev. Mr. Hughes, of Uffington, to be shot for by the Members of any established Archery Club, which attracted the attendance of several Members of the Royal Toxopholites and of the Purton and Melksham Clubs. The shooting was excellent. The Silver Cup was contended for after dinner, at 100 yards, and, after some good shooting, was won by the Rev. Mr. Jowett, of the West Berks Club. Dancing commenced at eight, and was kept up with much spirit till an early hour the following morning.

The second meeting of the Blackmoor Foresters took place on the 23d of July. The company was very numerous, including the leading families of the neighbour hood, together with a deputation from the Berkshire Meeting, consisting of Messrs. Smith, Revs. T. Attwood, Meyrick, and Cookson. The prizes for the Ladies were a Silver Bracelet, and three ornamented Arrows; for the Gentlemen, a handsome Ring with the crest of the Noble President, a centaur and three arrows. Mr. Smith, from Berkshire, carried away the ring, Mr. H. Merewether being second; Mr. Hippesley, the arrows. Miss Hale was a third time the winner of a Ladies' prize.

The third target-day of the Sherwood Archers, held on the cricket ground at Southwell on the 1st of August, was attended by many of the first families in Nottinghamshire. The company began to assemble at twelve o'clock, and a ballot was soon after taken, when new Members were elected. Mrs. Wildman, of Newstead Abbey, was appointed Lady Patroness of the day, and Thomas Wright, Esq., of Upton Hall, was elected President. The shooting commenced soon after one o'clock at four pair of targets, and continued till four, when the company (upwards of 100 in number), sat down to an excellent repast; after which they partook of a very handsome dessert of fruit, presented by J. E. Denison, Esq., M. P. After dinner the shooting re-commenced, and continued till nine o'clock, when the prizes were awarded. The band of the Sherwood Rangers played during the day, and contributed to the animating pleasures of the scene. Soon after nine o'clock the ball was opened, and kept up with great spirit till half-past one in the morning. Several other individuals have been proposed, and will be balloted for at the next meeting; among whom are J. E. Denison, Esq. and Lady Charlotte Denison, Admi ral and Mrs. Sotheron, &c.

On the 1st of August the annual shoot

ing for the Ancient Silver Arrow, the Subscription Silver Cup, and other prizes, took place in a field, called "the Earl's Orchard," close by the river Swale_on the spot where probably the hardy retainer of the Earls of Richmond were wont in the olden time to practise this truly En glish exercise when the Arrow and Captaincy of the Target were won by Mr. Hardy, of Bishopwearmouth, placing the first arrow in the gold: the Lieutenancy of the Target for the first red, and the SL. ver Cup for the arrow nearest the centre of the gold, were won by Mr. Isaac Fisher; and the ancient Horn Spoon was obtained by William Wright, Esq. both of Rich mond.-The Silver Arrow, which annually gives occasion to this interesting meeting. is very ancient. By the records, which are in good preservation, and are trans. ferred from one winner to another, it ap pears, that this Arrow, which, according to tradition, was then very ancient, was shot for at Scorton in the year 1673, and won by Henry Calverley, Esq.; though it is supposed by some, from the circumstance of the shooting for it having been, by the rules and regulations agreed upon in that year by the Society of Archers at Scorton, restricted to within six miles of Eryholme upon Tees, that it was given at this period by Mr. Calverley, the then owner of Ery. holme, and who, on this account, limited the distance at which it was to be shot for to within six miles of his residence. Be this as it may, it has been from the year before named, 1673, shot for annualis with few exceptions. In the year 18 the place of shooting was Barton, where it was won by George Hartley, Esq.; in 1702, at Darlington, by Robert Eden, Esq.; in 1722, at Richmond, by Aclon Milbank, Esq.; in 1738, at Peirsebridge, by the Rev. Mr. Theobald, Sir Hugh Smithson, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, winning the Lieutenancy; in 1745 again at Peirsebridge, when it was WOD by His Grace the Duke of Northumber land; in 1749, at Darlington, Mr. Issac Trueman winning the Arrow, and the Hon. T. Vane the Lieutenancy; in 1753, agan at Darlington, and won by Colonel Mark Milbank; in 1754, the Rev. Mr. Nicholson was the winner at Scorton, William Chaytor, Esq. winning the Lieutenancy. These are a few instances, the shooting for it having been in the intermediate and subsequent time kept up in a spirited manner; and of late years, the addition to the ancient prizes of a Silver Cup for the most central gold, during the day, has considerably increased the interest which they before invariably excited.

On the 16th the first meeting for the present year of the Herefordshire Bowme took place at Stamford Court, the seat of Sir T. Winnington, Bart. A large num ber of the Nobility and Gentry of this and the adjoining counties attended, and shooting commenced at one o'clock, four

targets being placed at 60 yards distance. The most admirable skill was displayed, five arrows being placed in the golden centre circle. The first Ladies prize was awarded to Miss C. Hallifax, and the second to Mrs. Chas. Walcott: the first Gentlemen's prize, to W. G. Cherry, Esq. and the second to the Rev. K. E. Money. The arrows of the two gentlemen were so closely placed, that they were obliged to shoot a tie to decide for the first prize. At three o'clock, the company, upwards of 200 in number, sat down to a sumptuous dinner in the Grand Tent, and at five the shooting was resumed, till past six, when tea and coffee were provided in the Tent, and the Lady Paramount, Mrs. Hanbury of Shobdon Court, delivered the prizes to the successful competitors. The company then adjourned to the mansion, where the festive dance was kept up till a late hour.

ANGLING.

Lately a bream flat or red-eye (a variety of the bream) was taken with a running line at Surlingham, near Norwich, of the extraordinary length of twenty-five inches, and sixteen inches across. This species is found in the Broads of Norfolk (meres or large pieces of water so called there), but rarely of such dimensions in the rivers.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Mr. Legood, of the Feathers Inn, North Walsham, has at this time a nest of King fishers, five in number, taken from a hole four feet below the surface, on the side of the canal. From the diminutive size of the king-fisher (alcedo ispida), not much larger than a swallow, its slender short legs, &c. no person would imagine it to be one of the most rapacious birds that skims the deep. It takes its prey after the manner of the osprey, balancing itself at a certain distance above the water for a consider able space, then darting into the deep, and seizing the fish with inevitable certainty. In a bright day, when suspended in the air, the plumage exhibits a beautiful variety of the most dazzling and brilliant colours. The King-fisher frequents the banks of rivers, is ever on the wing, and feeds on fish, which it takes in surprising quantities; it makes its nest in holes as above described, and lays from five to nine eggs of a most beautiful and semi-transparent white.

EXTRAORDINARY FEATS.

Mr. S. Hills, a mechanic of Saffron Walden, Essex, on the 2d of August performed an extraordinary and novel feat, which for agility and corporeal powers may rank with the most celebrated exploits of the day. He undertook to run a pair of coach wheels without an axle-tree, and not less than four feet diameter, one mile, to run a heavy six-inch road wagonwheel one mile, to run half a mile backwards, to ride two miles, and to jump over twenty five-barred gates, separately placed, in 38 successive minutes, with liberty to perform the task in the order he

might feel disposed. The spot of ground selected for this Herculean feat was on the London road which runs through the rich and picturesque domain of Lord Braybrooke, at Audley End, a short distance from Saffron Walden and Littlebury, and from the confidence placed in Mr. Hills that he would do his best to win, upwards of 2000 persons assembled, among whom were Lord and Lady Braybrooke and family, the Marchioness and the Ladies Cornwallis, Lord and Lady Maynard and family, and a long list of Ladies and Gentry of the neighbourhood. The time occupied was as follows:-Jumping the gates and running to the post 3 minutes; running the wheels 20; riding 9; and running the remainder backwards 5total 37 minutes.-Mr. Hills is about thirty years of age, of athletic make, six feet high, and weighs 16 stone (horseman's weight!

The Earl of Eglintoun, having some time since offered a considerable bet to run on foot a distance of fifty yards, turning round a flag-staff, and returning the same distance, against a Gentleman on horseback, it was accepted, and one of the Officers of the Yeomanry agreed to ride the match against his Lordship. The race came off on Tuesday, July 30, and was witnessed by a considerable number of spectators. Ón starting, his Lordship ran very swiftly, and reached the flagstaff about the same time as the horse, which turned cleverly, but shied immediately after. This advantage was seized by his Lordship, who, turning quickly, make all speed home, and won the match. -Caledonian Mercury.

SPORTING OBITUARY.

It is with extreme regret we announce the death of Sir HARRY GOODRICKE, Bart. Master of the Quorn Hounds for the three last seasons, which took place on the 21st of August. Sir Harry was a thorough sportsman in the fullest sense of the word, and literally fell a sacrifice to a favorite amusement, Otter-hunting, in the pursuit of which, at his seat Ravensdale, county of Louth, Ireland, he caught a severe cold, and was carried off in 48 hours. He died immensely rich, and, it is needless to add, will be greatly missed at Melton Mowbray, where a new leader will be required; and one possessing equal requisites as a Gentleman and a Sportsman it will be a matter of no ordinary difficulty to select. Sir Harry had the good fortune throughout the extent of his brief career, for he was only 36, to have all the excel. lences which adorned his nature fully appreciated and acknowledged. As a highminded English Gentleman, gifted with unsullied honour, manly pursuits, and unaffected and prepossessing demeanour-as a liberal and considerate landlord-as a kind and most indulgent master-as a warm-hearted and disinterested friend-as a noble benefactor to many a child a