I. PORTRAIT OF ANTELOPE.-II. THE MALE SPARROW HAWK. ANTELOPE. Engraved by ROMNEY from a Painting by LAPORTE. UR Account of the now popular St. Alban's Steeple Chase for this year (which appeared in our April Number, p. 463) is sufficiently fresh in the recollection of our readers to make the winner an object of interest. To the detail there given we have to add a few particulars. ANTELOPE was purchased by his present liberal owner, J. Fairlie, Esq. from the fashionable stable of Anderson: his colour a bay (or rather we should say mealy), his off-hind leg white. He was got by Peeping Tom; his dam by Recruit; grandam, by Old Dart-Hambletonian. The riding of Mr. Bean is too well known not to be duly appreciated by the Sporting World, possessing, as he does, a clear head, a light hand, and plenty of nerve and so Mr. Sebright must have thought, by his sending to Mr. Bean on the evening of the race a brush of one of the best foxes he had killed during the season. In the likenesses of the horse and his rider, and in the character of the animal's action, Laporte has succeeded admirably. The horse has all the appearance of life, with that spirit and animation so characteristic of this artist's K style. The portraits are taken just at the moment the rider has drawn up his horse for the tremendous leap delineated in the print-a high bank and strong rails at the top, and a ditch on the other side, The blooming condition in SIR, WE which ANTELOPE was brought to the post was the admiration of all, and reflects the highest credit on Will James (Prime Minister to the late Honorable William Scott, son of Lord Eldon), by whom he was trained for the occasion. YORK SPRING MEETING. E had a large assemblage of horses, and, what is still better, all looking blooming to the eye, and declared healthy and well......no rumours of coughing, and no screws loose, though in the epoch of an influenza: the bill of particulars fraught with delicious morsels, and the most fashionable and distinguished names, as well as vaunted testimonials of great talent: the course in the finest possible condition, and the weather as beautiful as the bright beams of Sol or the genial gales of Summer could have made it: indeed "Nature, new blossom'd, shed her odours round The dew-bent primrose kiss'd the breeze swept ground." What then could we desire more?......why nothing! Everything bloomed propitious to produce, without alloy, what we have truly enjoyed-a bumper at Old Ebor. The muster of regulars, though tolerable, was not so numerous as might reasonably have been anticipated. Chester immediately preceding, and Liverpool treading upon the heels of our appointment, no doubt prevented great numbers from the Cheshire and Lancashire counties, who might feel a desire, as heretofore, to tread the plain of Knavesmire (but who took fright at the long journey to travel to and fro without the possibility of a rest, from visiting Yorkshire), to witness the display of Muley Moloch, Belshazzar, and the several others who turned out to public inspection, The betting, in consequence, was at a stand, and I do not remember to have seen so little done in the way of advocating or deprecating the several pets of fancy with the siller at York in any one Meeting within the space of my remembrance, Surely the Chester, Liverpool, and York Meetings, if arranged to interfere less with each othereasily be effected with the conand such arrangement might currence of those who have the of them-would management materially benefit each, and prevent a repetition of the unpleasant concussion which has this year no doubt materially tended to injure all the three. The different exhibitions, however, turned out some talented performers, who will doubtless prove dangerous competitors, as they have given proof of great abilities that must raise public interest in their favour to a much higher pitch, on their next essay, than would have been the case had they remained secluded within the portals of their stable doors. The stream and tide of Fortune flowed, with the exception of two solitary outlets, in a very partial course; for all the credit, and of course profit, flowed and flooded into three stables-THE SCOTTS, SMITHS, AND SHEPHERDS: so much for the good fortune of the three S's! This letter must surely be a fortunate initial, or a charm that has the singular virtue of seducing the inconstant jilt!However, 'tis said a man had ever better be born fortunate than rich; and these three trainers give some solid proof of the former blessing being their share. Among the invincibles Mr. Walker has proved invulnerable; for wherever the scarlet jacket and white cap shewed, the laurels were always added, sweeping off everything he started for. This worthy turf-man has long been a good staunch beaten one, and his turn of good luck is indeed not too premature. But the sport's the thing, Mr. Editor, you and your readers wish to hear, and so here goes. MONDAY opened with a Stake of 20 sovs. each, for all ages, two miles, and a quartette, with Nitocris, Chorister's Brother, 4 yrs, the Wathcote Lass colt, 4 yrs, and Salute-from former deeds and present characters, of course a certainty as to who was to sing the first part-the odds. on Nitocris being 7 to 4 on her, and no notice taken of her three companions. Salute shewed the first quavers to the gravel road, when she retired to the back ground, and her place was soon filled by Nitocris; but at the distance the Lottery one, from John Smith's choir (ridden by Cartwright, a lad), came up, LED THE BAND, and carried off the pay and applause a full length and a half. Who could have dreamt of having partiality for an incorrigible screamer like this, who last year could not be induced by either persuasion or intimidation to make anything like a respectable appearance! However, since last year he has undergone an operation, which appears to have improved an obstinate temper, and, with it, his behaviour in company. The lion of the day, the Northern or York Derby, on the conditions of the Epsom oneonly the second to have his stake instead of a hundred returned— one mile and a half, followed. From a subscription of thirty we had nine at the post, most of them as great fine promising looking animals as ever stared through a bridle, and if size could insure goodness, why they would indeed have boasted of" all the talents ;” for one (Juba) was full sixteen hands and an inch, and some of the others above sixteen hands. They shewed at the start, attended as under : Allegro...rode by Tommy Lyc. Muley Moloch ...S. Darling. .R. Johnson. Muley carried the sway in public opinion at 6 to 4; Frankenstein next, at 5 to 2; and the others so little thought of, except by their immediate friends, that 5, 6, and 10 to 1 was the going price in the market against them. From the anxiety of Juba to have a taste of the sweets, a false start was made, though without any ma→ terial disadvantage accruing from it. On a second attempt they got |