of course (from the cloud of smoke) until within a few yards of home. We also saw a halfmile race run in 53 seconds, won by a country-bred mare, Francesca, ridden by her owner, whose bridle broke at starting and became useless. Her head was kept straight with the whip, and the result was as I have mentioned. It was the more extraordinary, as in her previous races the mare had proved a difficult one to hold. The "Calcutta Subscription Pack" has for the last three or four years been exclusively and entirely under the management of a Committee; and I feel that I am asserting the opinions of every Sporsman concerned, when I say, that had it not been for the exertions of the Hon. J. Et, and W. N-t, Esq., the establishment would have melted away like "The baseless fabric of a vision," no, nor a manger, or trough, or kennel, to shew where a pack" had been. It only remains for us to "render honour where honour is due," and record our grateful sense of these Gentlemen's endeavors to preventing such a melancholy catastrophe. The pack is hunted by the first-named Member of the Committee, and all eulogiums of mine must fall far short of doing meet justice to his excellences. However, it is saying something to assert, that your worthy Correspondent of other days, NIM NORTH, would have no occasion to alter his opinion of this Gentleman's performances; and I trust it may not be long ere he has an opportunity of putting what I say to the proof, by again hailing Mr. E.'s presence in the hunting field in their ain dear land-(would that I could be there to see!) When that event does take place, the Members of the C. H. will be left to mourn in sackcloth and ashes the absence oftheir "Chief," and say with Shakspeare We ne'er shall look upon his like again. The kennel is generally kept up to thirty couples, which is no more than is absolutely necessary for hunting twice and sometimes three days a week in this country. In some months the ground is unusually hard, and the number of hounds lamed considerable. In March too the sun is somewhat of the hottest after 9 A. M., and in long runs late in the morning hounds cannot be got home without a little " grilling," and its consequences. This year (1832) fewer deaths having occurred than usual. In 1831 sickness got into the kennel, and carried them off by twos and threes, and sometimes more, in a a day; and a most truly melancholy sight it was to witness in this country, where they are not to be replaced. The disease in every case was accompanied by a violent palpitation of the heart: few escaped, and it was only checked by separating the pack. However, if I were to attempt to explain the different appearances of the disease, the supposed causes, the advised remedies, and the various and sage opinions delivered, amounting to some thousands, they would fill your Magazine instead of a few pages of it, and excite no interest. I will merely hint that we none of us know much about it, and that hounds will continue to die, and the climate continue to be abused, and every sort of food in its turn continue to be repro bated, without our growing one jot the wiser. If we must hunt (and we MUST and WILL), we must pay for it: and grown-up hounds coming from a country like England are not prepared to relish a country like India, and consequently take themselves off to an "undiscovered country," more congenial to them, where the climate is good, the troughs full, and whipcord scarce. However from observation I may assert, that hounds bred in India in all respects thrive better than those imported. Those too I have seen have not degenerated much, at least are perfectly fit for all the purposes of hunting in India: the difficulty is to bring them to maturity. as One of the most lamented deaths in the Calcutta kennel this year was that of a hound called Hurricane, who had been distinguished on every occasion one gifted with uncommon goodness. Lord Nelson and General Wolfe expired in the arms of victory, and not less so did poor Hurricane breathe his last, a few short hours after one of the best runs of the season, in which he pre-eminently signalized himself, and he fell asleep in the glorious consciousness of having done his duty. The following doggrel impromptu, written by a mourning admirer of the deceased, is to be engraven upon his monument, which, it is said, will be furnished by Mr. Chantrey. "Oh shed a tear upon his grave, To his fathers at last, Brave Hurricane's spirit is borne ; Were a southerly wind, From the storms of this life, Shall we look on another like thee! son The sport during the last sea was throughout unprecedently good; several of the runs first-rate, with fields generally consisting of from forty to sixty pinks; but those with the Huntcollar (light blue), I regret to say, scarcely ever exceeded in number twenty-five-the rest being visitors and military men from the neighbouring cantonments at Barrackpore and DumDum. It would be a vain attempt to mention all who excelled, for most were good; and I heard a Gentleman (of many years standing as a Member of the Hunt, and who is certainly well qualified to discriminate between the good, bad, and indifferent styles of performances in the field) declare, that he “never remembered to have seen fields better mounted, and better riding altogether, than he had witnessed in the last two seasons." Many ride imported English cattlesome being compelled to do so by their weight; but for men who can ride about 11 stone or so, there are no horses for honesty and bottom like the Arabs. Countrybred cattle are much improved of late years, and are, I confess, favorites of mine as hunters, having all the height and length of English cattle, and being very often better bred. I cannot do better than wind up with an account of one of the good things" served out to the Hunt during last season-on the morning of the 26th of March 1832. I grieve to say I was unavoidably absent; but I quote And the clear thrilling blast of the horn, from a letter received from one who took a very prominent part in the business. "The Hunt was driven in from their regular meet on the Saturday preceding by a perfect deluge of rain, and were dispersed, and nearly drowned, before they reached shelter. We were resolved to be revenged on the weather for this trick; and a fixture for the Monday morning following was appointed. We met at Dum-Dum (the best country), and found an old acquaintance, who had escaped with his life in the early part of the season, ready to oblige us again. He broke immediately; and all I have to add is, that I never saw hounds in the country go so fast for so many miles. We were exactly forty-five minutes by watch, of which there was not a second to spare, and indeed, after all, the hounds had the foot of us; for I do believe, had there not been a check of about two minutes, that they would have dropped the whole field! The country being deep and the ditches wide and full of water, the bellows and the jumping capabilities of the nags were both put to the trial. Five men, who arrived rather late, saw us find, and rode to catch us, but during the forty-five minutes could not gain a yard, though of THE course availing themselves of the turns. The damage done was—— one horse broke a fore leg, one very nearly drowned in the nullah (stream), many lamed, &c. The Gourypore ditch (a wellknown yawner) was in the run, and was speedily filled with Gentlemen and their horses. Very few got over, most of the horses being by this time pretty well blown. The pack did their work beautifully-no tailing, and running like a flock of sheep throughout, with a head of four or five abreast. They ran from scent to view, and killed in the open!!" This is a damnable country, Mr. Editor; but if one thing more than another helps to keep us alive in it, it is the enjoyment of days like these, and the prospect of many more such in our "Father Land." I must, however, not take up more of your valuable time, and conclude by observing, that should this be deemed worthy of insertion in THE Sporting Magazine I shall be strangely tempted ever and anon to let you hear again of me, with a promise to try and make future communications less long and more amusing, if I can. India, July 1832. TROUT. Painted and Engraved by SMITH. WHO-WHOOP. "Genus Salmo-Head compressed, smooth; tongue cartilaginous; teeth both in the jaws and on the tongue; gill-membrane from 4 to 10 rayed; body compressed, furnished at the hind part with an adipose fin.-S. Fario."-Dr. SHAW. pends on the nature of the water from which it is taken, as in small mountain streams they begin to shew their bright colours earlier than they do in heavier waters. When the crimson THE H |