spots are vivid, the belly pure white blended into the yellow sides, which are graduated towards the back with a pearly lilac hue that merges into brown, such appearance decides the fish to be in season. TROUT differ in colour when cooked: some are white as a roach; but the best flavored are of a fine salmon tint. Both white and red are taken out of the same stream; though we have heard of some brooks wherein the trout are entirely white, and others whose fish are all red. TROUT vary in size: those of the Thames and other large rivers have frequently been taken from seven to ten or twelve pounds weight. These may be considered very large fish, though trout of larger size have been taken. TROUT of four or five pounds are superior in flavour to one larger. The methods of angling for TROUT are various with worms either with or without a float-the fly either natural or artificial-or with minnow, by which last method most of the heavy fish are taken. The difference of sex is very visible: the male is long and narrow when compared with the female, whose body is broader and head less chubby. TROUT spawn the latter end of November or beginning of December.

TROUT fishing may be found both

SIR,

in valley or on mountain--from the rotten banks of a lowland river, or from the craggy margin of an Highland torrent. Happy and independent is the man, who, with pannier strapped on his shoulder, rod in hand, a book well stored with flies, a companion, and that firm friend and essential, a few sovereigns, at command! Thus equipped, he may trudge through wilds and scenery that he never would have explored had it not been for that innate desire which is so strongly implanted in our nature-a motive to pursue. O MAY! thou delightful month of "sun and shade," who stimulates our blood to new energies, and our hearts to pleasing anticipation of latent joy! thou makest the captive sigh for freedom when through his grated window he watches the twittering swallow skimming through the buoyant air: and equally anxious is the angler: when the wind blows south with a cloudy sky, to escape from the shackles of business--he craves the river and the mountain dell with gurgling transparent stream without control, which, with others co-eval, confluent join to make our noble rivers Thames and Severn, on whose banks the fisherman unmolested roams to capture their various stores. W. S.

THE joyous season of Spring has again brought us to our long anticipated delights of the Course; and while your Southern friends have this week celebrated the Easter festivals with the accustomed sports at Newmarket, we have likewise followed that good example in the North by opening the Budget, and disclosing the secrets of the stable at Catterick, as well as producing a very animated

* See Sporting Magazine,

and enlivened Meeting of the Holderness Hunt at Beverley: but of that no doubt some kind friend will furnish you with a few particulars. As for myself, feeling always more attached (though no Aristocrat) to "genuine blood" and "professional jockeyship," I left the adventurers of Westwood, to resort to the old hallowed sportive scene, " CATTERICK,” where the beautiful Swale, Second Series, vol. iii. p. 21.

"rushing o'er its pebbled bed, Imposes silence with a stilly sound." Here the George, kept by my old friend Thomas Ferguson, affords the sojourner every comfort and accommodation, with the enrapturing prospect (to the Sportsman's eye) of the course in the front of the house, which might well prompt him to exclaim,

"There is no lovelier scene in all the land,

Around us far a green enchantment lies, Fed by the weepings of those April skies, And touch'd by Fancy's great allcharming wand.""

Here the invalid may, from the windows of the house, if unable or unwilling to brave the chilly blast, enjoy in sweet repose the soul-stirring scene: but, thank Heaven! health and spirits were not wanting to give me a relish or an impulse to partake of the sport, and join the speculative and conjecturing throng.

The weather proved cruelly cold, accompanied with fleeting showers, yet a short gleam of sunshine, like "a smile to a tear," occasionally shone over our joys.

WEDNESDAY.-The Craven Stake craved, as an accustomed due, our first notice, a cluster of seven old friends and new acquaintance, as under :Duke of Cleveland's Pucelle filly, rising 3 yrs, rode by J. Robinson, a lad out of Smith's stables.

Mr. Hebden's f. Lustre, by Swiss out of
Flambeau's dam, rising 3 yrs, rode by
Young Noble.

Mr. Powlett's f. by Whisker out of Miss
Fanny, rising 4 yrs, rode by George
Nelson.
Colonel Cradock's c. Brother to Homer,
rising 3 yrs, rode by a Boy.
Mr. Skipsey's c. by Phantom or Tinker-
Macbeth-rising 3 yrs, rode by a Boy.
Duke of Leeds's Lady Maud, rode by
Templeman.

Duke of Cleveland's Brother to Chorister, rising 4 years, rode by a Boy.

The Chorister led the band to the Catterick turn, where he was put out of tune by the rustling of Lustre, who here displayed her brilliancy, and shone pre-eminent, coming up to the distance with at least two lengths sail. Young Robinson then came forward with the Pucelle filly, put the

The Window Shut, rode by a Boy. Miss Margaret, rode by Thompson, a boy out of Dawson's stables.

Duke of Leeds's f. by Whisker-Octavian, rode by Templeman. Mr. S. L. Fox's f. by Blacklock out of Mrs. Fry, rode by George Nelson. Margery, who was the belle of the coterie, took all the notice, and preserved her charms unimpaired, carrying off all the praise as well as profit with tolerable case. She is a little strong useful animal, and is the first of Acteon's get that has come out, bringing with her the old valued Beningbrough blood on both sides of her pedigree The Window Shut (a nice sort of mare) appeared not to have been in use sufficiently long to go easily; perhaps a little time may make her move on her hinges somewhat quicker.

The Produce Stake closed the day's bill of fare, with a production of three

Rousseau, rode by.........G. Nelson. Tesane .......S. Templeman. Pantomime (Comedy)......Jas. Jacques. Rousseau made all the play to the Stand, when Tesane came up, and after a short disputation won the argument rather cleverly; Pantomime's capers at the golden bait proving all a farce.

Of the comparative merits of the respective competitors, this struggle will perhaps afford no accurate criterion. The event was preceded and partly prosecuted amid a severe storm of rain, that would have made one swear that Jupiter had opened all his clues, and poured the watery element upon us without measure, which must have taken more than a little effect upon Rousseau (a pretty strong useful little horse), as he stood at Temple's stables at the village of Catterick, above a mile from the course,

and sustained the pelting of the pitiless shower in coming to the scene of action; while the other two were safely housed in Ferguson's stables close to the course. The soaking he sustained seemed to have starved him dreadfully, while the stacks of umbrellas, parachutes, &c. &c. made him appear frightened and timorous in the extreme. On the other hand Tesane (who, as my former notice of her last year told you, was a little light mare) could not be said to find no inconvenience; for the wet produced such a slippery surface on the turf, that she appeared to slide about from want of safe footing, like an inebriated pedes trian on a sheet of ice, which of course would not a little frighten and fret her.

Thus ended the first day.

THURSDAY brought us three Stakes; two of which one Gentleman, with the de'il's luck and his own, carried into his own coffers.

The Old Stake, the first course, dished up four for inspection and tasting

Satan, rode by...............R. Johnson.
Partner.
J. Jacques.
Allegro
.Thompson.

Mr. King's b.c. by Tramp,

dam by Aliddlethorpe...S. Templeman. Allegro (sprightly enough) set off and made severe running, playing it gaily up to the distance, where he stopped the melody, and declined any further performance. Satan, with his Partner, then came in front, and commenced a stout and determined struggle, in which His Satanic Highness proved victor by a head. Allegro was the favorite at 6 to 4 on him; 5 to 2 agst Partner; and no one found to fancy the devil, with all his wiles, at any price. Allegro and Satan both came from the same stable and the same hands, and rumour says their preceptor placed (and consequently spilt) his rhino on Allegro, though the other of his pupils won the siller. The winner is a neat pretty horse. Partner, who ran in second, is a great very good-like one.

A Two-year-old (I should say yearling) Produce Stake succeeded,

and presented a field of the following five:

Mr. Whitelock's b. c. by

Lottery out of Gin...... T. Nicholson. Mr. Jacques's b. f. by

Wanton out of Galina, Jas. Jacques. Mr. Arrowsmith's ch. c.

Rifleman, by Whisker, Jas. Garbutt. Duke of Leeds's b. c. by Blacklock out of Mrs.

Rye

Mr. S. L. Fox's b. c. The Count, by Figaro out of Catgut.......

S. Templeman.

G. Nelson.

Gin was the most favorite dram of the assemblage, at the low price of 2 to 1, which must be acknowledged cheap blue ruin; Rifleman's tactics at exercise and drill gained him many admirers and friends at nearly the same odds.

The Count took the first rank at starting, followed by Rifleman and the Duke of Leeds's colt. The three came in abreast, making a very severe run by the distance to the stand, where they all appeared to have parted with every particle of speed, strength, and other requisites: each here stopped and staggered like a leash of drunken men; and Nicholson, thinking another dose of his pure aqua would, perhaps, totally upset the staggerers, came forward, floored them, and carried the laurels away easily. Gin is a very neat pretty horse, and looked in prime condition. He was sold prior to starting to Mr.Attwood for the sum of 2001.; but whether the Stake was included in the bargain or not I am not aware. Rifleman is a horse of great size and powers, and is, I think, the best-like one of the fleet. The Duke's is also a good like horse of the old Blacklock sort. The Gin colt came from the training stables of Thomas Peirse, at Richmond, and his winning appeared to have quite an intoxicating effect upon the Richmond lads, for the victory was hailed with some rounds of enthusiastic cheers from their " great strang voices."

The Yearling Stake came next, and concluded not only the day's sport, but the meeting. For this we had only three :

The winner is a pretty little horse, and, like all Dawson's horses at the Meeting, was in fine forward condition.-I ought to name that both Satan and Mellerstain are the property of Mr. George Crompton, of Heworth, in the neighbourhood of York, and not that old and well-known supporter of the Turf, Gilbert Crompton, Esq. as has been generally supposed.

Thus closed our festivities, and who but will rejoice to hear that the Noble, Honorable, and spirited supporters of the Turf, who reside amid this charming country, are about to put their exertions to the wheel, to renovate the future Catterick Meetings to their former, if not increased, prosperity. A combination of the Noblemen and Gentlemen in the neighbourhood is already formed in the form of a Racing Club to support and advance its future interests. Through their instrumentality numerous new Stakes are opened, to which that honored Nobleman His Grace of Leeds, together with Mr. S. L. Fox, Mr. Jacques,

and others, have placed their names. The course is to be altered and amended, and a straight home-run of a mile to be formed; a new Grand Stand erected; and other improvements, which may appear best calculated to meet general approbation and convenience, adopted. To me, Mr. Editor, who have loved the sports of the Turf from "childhood's hours,' and followed a humble admirer in its train,

"Even from my boyhood's days," such news and intelligence is indeed gratifying and cheering in the extreme amid this age of cant and cloven-footed hypocrisy; and, I doubt not, will be hailed with equal pleasure by your numerous sporting readers but time bids me conclude, and leaves me only opportunity to add, I sincerely wish the new CATTERICK RACING CLUB prosperity and perpetuity: may it long exist,

"Adorned with gems so richly bright
To form a constellation:
Where every star with modest light

Shall gild its proper station!" And now, until the close of the Malton Meeting, whence you may expect a scrawl or two, believe me, yours, &c. ALFRED HIGHFLYER.

Catterick, April 12th, 1833.

ERRATA. In the account of Mr. Riddell's stud, for Tapgill (twice) read Tupgill; and for " Physician, got by Brutandorf out of Prunella," read out of Primette.

there were twenty-three stiff fences in the line, one of which was a very severe one, consisting chiefly of stone walls.

(Here follows a description of the race, in nearly the same words as given in our last.)

Your old acquaintance Major Shairp, the same distinguished Sportsman as ever, who acted as Umpire, rode a clipper of Mr. Ramsay's at the head of the field, and took every fence in his stroke, as he said he considered himself bound to do, having himself chosen the country, in order to shew that the line was practicable. To him indeed, and Mr. Ramsay, we were indebted for a most excellent day's amusement-the whole of the arrangements, which were most admirable, having been made by these two active and public-spirited fellows. Shairp's riding was truly delightful to witness the nag he rode, however (a thorough-bred one), was so superior an animal, that I verily believe he could have given any one of the lot a stone, and beat him easy. He made one most splendid leap in particular over a brook in flood, taking it in his stride (the only one who did so) when at his best pace, and covering twenty-seven feet from taking off to landing.

The winner was well ridden by Dyer, and to the fact of his being so he owes entirely his success: had "Dunse Castle" and Twilight" been judiciously steered, they would both have beaten him; but, as a friend of mine observed, they were jockeyed by absolute madmen, and taken away at a pace that was altogether killing. Twilight was bred by William Hay; and by way of proof that there is something good about him, he has been purchased since the Steeple Chase, and is now in the stables of Sir David Baird.

Yours sincerely,

On Monday the 25th of March, the Glasgow lieges not to be behindhand with the Edinburghers, a Steeple Chase between the Earl of Eglinton and Mr. Edington, of Glasgow, took place, and excited a very

great degree of interest among the Members of the Sporting World both of" high and low degree." Every prad and drag of whatever description was put in requisition to convey the middlings and swells to the scene of action, and the surrounding heights, which commanded a view of the scene, of every age and of both sexes, all apwere literally crowded with toddlers parently as much interested in the result as if a nation's fate depended on it. Betting ran high, and a good many parcels of currency changed

owners.

The ground marked out for the race was from Barnweil-Hill over the country to a point on the opposite side of the Powburn, an oblong course of four miles.-In all five races took

place betwixt ten horses bona fide the property of Lord Eglinton and Mr. Edington, Gentlemen riders; 50 sovs.

a-side.

rode his own horse, and that of Mr. In the first race Lord Eglinton Edington was ridden by Mr. T. Annesley. Mr. A. took and kept the lead (from an advantage he gained at the Powburn) till within three fields of the winning post, when he was fence, and Lord E. won cleverly. thrown out by his horse refusing a

Second Race.-Lord Eglinton's horse was ridden by Mr. Gavin Hamilton; and Mr. Edington rode for himself a splendid race: horses apparently neck and neck all the way until towards the close, when Mr. E. took the lead, and there seemed little doubt of his success; but, from having taken the wrong side of a flag-staff, he was compelled to return, after being 50 yards past, and repass it on the other side-yet he was within a length of being in with the winner.

Third Race.-Lord Eglinton rode for himself; Mr. T. Annesley for Mr. Edington-won easily by Lord E., Mr. A.'s horse having made a mistake at a fence, slightly bruising his rider.

Fourth Race.-Mr. T. Annesley for Mr. Edington-Lord Eglinton for himself. This race closely resembled the second one in point of equality, both horses keeping within three lengths of each other until they