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Her chief excellence of shape, however, is in her hind quarters, which are particularly good, and although not so strongly, I might almost say, coarsely formed as Boston,she is evidently possessed of very great powers both of speed and endurance.

Fashion has but a short catalogue of victories to show, having started only seven times, and won six races, one at four mile heats, and two at three-mile heats, and making altogether an aggregate sum of Three thousand eight hundred dollars. Her last race, however, with John Blount and Boston, was one of the best four-mile-heat races ever run in the United States.

A match of this description must, of course, depend much upon many minor circumstances, which can hardly be foreseen; but from my own experience of the climate of New York, and its effects on constitution, more especially in training, I should be inclined to take "THE MARE FOR CHOICE."

In any case this trial of "the South versus the North," will be one of most engrossing interest, and the winner of this race will fairly earn the title of The CHAMPION OF THE AMERICAN TURF.

WILDRAKE.

ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.

The monthly meeting of the above Club was held on Thursday evening, Feb. 3, the Commodore in the chair; there was but little business to transact, as is usually the case at this time, of the year. Amongst the gentlemen balloted for was Andrew Fontaine, Esq., who is the owner of a fine yacht of 25 tons. The Annual Ball given by the members of the Club took place on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Hanover Square Rooms, and was attended by upwords of 400 persons; and the stewards who conducted the entertainments deserve the greatest praise for their attention, and the handsome style in which every thing was conducted. The beantiful iron yacht which is in progress of building for Lord Alfred Paget, is nearly ready, and will very shortly be launched, report speaks highly of her, and her appearance on the River is anxiously looked for.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY AQUATIC CLUB, LONDON.

The first general meeting of the members of the above club will take place at their Subscription Rooms, on Tuesday, March 1, at three o'clock.

DAVID DEADEYE

NO. XV. VOL, II.-NEW SERIES.

2 B

PRESENTATION OF A PIECE OF PLATE TO THOMAS GEORGE, ESQ. OF BYTHORNE, HUNTS.

On Wednesday the 9th instant, about fifty of the right sort of the Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire sportsmen dined at the George Inn at Huntingdon, for the purpose of presenting a magnificent Piece of Plate to young Mr. George of Bythorne, as a token of the esteem in which he is held by his friends as a true sportsman, and also as an acknowledgement for the kindness and liberality shown, both by his father and himself, towards the sportsmen in the neighbourhood, at the annual Bythorne Steeple-chases. These Steeple-chases were first instituted about four years ago, among the Cambridge men, and they liberally gave a purse to be run for by the farmers residing within ten miles of Bythorne, and to this is added a purse subscribed for by the neighbouring sportsmen. The steeple-chase is run over the farms of Mr. George at Bythorne, a capital country, altogethet as stiff as any in England, aad every field but two in the whole four miles, is the property, or in the occupation of Mr. George.

Last year a veto was put upon the Cambridge race, by the Dons of the Colleges. In vain was a precedent sought for to establish the antiquity and benefit of steeple-chasing. No persuasion would do,expulsion was threatened, and in all probability no Cambridge race will ever again take place at Bythorne. But the purse is still liberally promised, and as every year since the race has been established it has been better filled, we may look forward to many a good day's sport at the Bythorne Steeple-chase.

A subscription, limited to one guinea each, was started among Mr. George's friends for the purpose of presenting him with a token of their regard; 160 subscribers soon filled the list: and the 9th inst was fixed upon to present the plate, which consisted of a magnificent silver epergne, beautifully designed, on a triangular basen; on one side of which were engraved Mr. George's arms, on an other, a hunting scene, and on the third the following inscription, "Presented to Thomas George. Esq. of Bythorne, by 160 gentlemen, for his exertions and liberality in every thing connected with the sporting interests of the neighbourhood."

The chair was filled by Captain Daintree of Dry Drayton, faced by W. Housden, Esq. of Huntingdon, and about five the company sat down to a very capital dinner. After the cloth was cleared, and the usual loyal toasts had been drunk, the chairman rose, and in a very elegant and appropriate speech, in which he passed some well merited eulogies on Mr. George's character, he presented to him the handsome

gift, which stood upon the table. After the cheering, which was long and loud, had subsided, Mr. George rose and returned thanks in nearly the following words.

"Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice-Chairman, and Gentlemen,

"It is with feelings of no ordinary nature that I rise to address you on the present occasion. Feelings of pleasure at the very enthusiastic manner in which my health has been proposed and drank, mingled with deep gratitude for the handsome testimonial of your kindness, which has just been presented to me. Gentlemen, at any time, on

any occasion, I should be very inadequate to the pleasing task before me, the mere task of returning thanks for the honour you have done me in drinking my health; but on this occasion it would be vain for me to attempt to find words to express half what I feel. I must trust to that candour and good feeling which ever characterize the British sportsman, and throw myself upon your kind indulgence to excuse any failure I may make. But I will say, without a minute's pause, that it is with feelings of the deepest pride and gratitude that I accept this magnificent testimonial, and, gentlemen, most sincely do I thank you for it.

"Gentlemen, when I look upon the splendid present now standing on the table before me, I know not whether most to admire the costly workmanship or the chaste design; but much as I may admire it on account of its intrinsic value,-much as I may prize its cost,-this is nothing in comparison to the value I set upon the manner in which it has been put into my hands, or the kind feelings which have dictated its presentation. Believe me, gentlemen, the events of this evening can never be forgotten by me. I shall ever look back upon them with pleasure, and the recollection of this kind display of your feelings towards me can never be obliterated from my memory. When I look round this table, and see so many faces all beaming upon me with kindness, all of them my friends,-many of them my intimate ones, 1 trust I shall be excused if I own that I do feel proud,-proud that I am esteemed worthy of this signal mark of your favour. Gentlemen, it is a pride of the right kind which will ever rise in my breast when I look upon the magnificent gift now before me.

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Gentlemen, I will now say a few words with regard to the occasion that has led to this mark of honour,-the Bythorne Steeple-chase. It has ever been the wish of my father, a wish that I trust will be inherited by the son, to encourage fair, open, and manly sporting in every way. And it was partly with this view, partly to afford a day's amusement to those farmers, who, although not entering fully into the spirit of the chase, yet duly appreciate its merits, and willingly permit us to ride over their lands, while following a pack which, second to none in England, can boast a field well worthy of it, assisted as we have

been so liberally by the Cambridge gentlemen. Thus the Bythorne Steeple-chase was instituted. Whether this object has been attained, you are as well able to judge as myself. Every year since its commencement, the entries have increased, and I trust that for many, many years to come we may all of us annually enjoy a steeple-chase at Bythorne. As for my father, his feelings and principles are pretty well known to you all; and as for myself, I can truly say, my greatest pride in life will be, to follow the example he has set me. And I may add sincerely, that as far as in my power lies, every thing shall be done to uphold the good cause of fox-hunting and sporting.

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Gentlemen, I have but little more to say. If I have been brief in my speech, it is the fault of the tongue, not of the heart; and were I to go on for an hour, I could not better express my sentiments on this occasion. Allow me once again to thank you sincerely for your kind and handsome present, and I trust that we may all of us live many years to enjoy the recollections of this evening; and allow me to express a hope, that nothing in my future life, may ever tend to do away with that good opinion and kind feeling you have on this occasion manifested towards me. Gentlemen, I will only add that I reiterate towards you every kind wish our worthy chairman has expressed as regarded myself, and I beg to drink all your very good healths."

The cheering, at many parts of this speech, was most enthusiastic, and on Mr. George's resuming his seat the applause lasted some minutes. All well knew the sincerity of the speaker, and all could appreciate the value of a speech, every word of which was dictated solely by the feelings of the heart. Other toasts were then drunk. The song and the glass went merily round, and as the Fitzwilliam men are generally difficult to shake off, they sustained their character on this occasion. Altogether the evening past off in capital style, without any alloy, and as we well know the benefits arising from meetings of this kind, we trust that the kindly feelings evinced on this occasion will tend to cement those ties without which no cause, however good, can flourish.

MR. MEYNELL'S AND THE ATHERSTONE HOUNDS.

DEAR N. S. M.

OLD Frost is gone, and we are once again in our stirrups. I have only time to scrape you together two or three of our days' doings. Mr. Meynell has been doing well the past fortnight, the "Foston" day in particular. The Atherstone had an extraordinary run from Kingsbury Wood; in fact, enough for two good days. I am unable

to give you a correct topographical account of it, although I have had my Ordnance Map upon my table. As the "orators" remark, “suffice it to say," we found a fox at Kingsbury Wood about twelve o'clock, and we ran him a ring without any check worth notice until five o'clock, when darkness put an end to it.

Feb. 14. The meet was Odston, and a more lovely morning never dawned.

"The East with gold was shining."

Trotted down to Nailstone Wigs-put in and soon put out-odd to relate, proved a blank. From here to Newbold Gorse and its nutty cover on the left. We then went to Langbridge Wood, and a prodigious warbling soon placed our hopes in security. Three foxes were on foot. We might have said, Utrum horum mavis accipe, if we had been at school, but it would have been of no avail here; two of the three went away. A whoop resounded through the cover, some of the hounds had got the "utrum horum" down on his back, and all but worried him, but he got away. Hark forward was now the cry in two quarters part of the pack going with the two foxes-aye, and close at the smelling-bottle of each. At length a junction was effected, and for thirty minutes we did a fast thing, by Osbaston towards Nailstone, leaving Bosworth to the left, and back to the cover. We found again in the wood, but being too fresh, pug gave his pursuers the slip. We luckily hit upon our former gallant fox, and after running him a short time, killed him in the open.

Feb. 16. Met at Clifton; drew the Osier Bed blank. Went to Thorpe, soon found, and reynard took us back to Clifton, pointing for Seal Wood, but made for Newton, where we lost. Soon found another, burst away gallantly by Appleby, for Snareston, and lost him. The runs were very long, and some parts over a fine hunting country, and the ground in capital order.

Your's, Dear N. S. M.

MIDLANDER.

THE FITZWILLIAM HOUNDS.

"Our horses are all of the very best blood

I don't think you will easily find such a stud;

And for hounds our opinion with thousands we'll back,
That all England throughout can'i produce such a pack."

DEAR SIR,

OLD SONG.

It is a long lane that has no turning, and towards the last week in January the frost began to give with us, and in less than a week most

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