TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

WE must request that letters may be post paid. We had twelve and eight-pence to pay for one the other day, which really was not worth two-pence. After this notice we must be under the necessity of refusing all unpaid ones, save those of known correspondents.

Our Friends will much oblige us by writing proper names clearly and fully, and bearing in mind that places most familiar to them, may be wholly unknown to us; and if they would add the dates to any runs they may think worthy of record, they will increase the obligation.

We wish some friend would write us word what they are doing in Warwickshire this year; also in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire-all countries, in short, as we are desirous of having a good deal of hunting intelligence next month. Letters should reach town by the 20th at latest.

Received N. W.-Deccan-P. Q. S.-Tally-ho, and A Well-wisher. Also the accounts of the runs with Sir Edward Dering, too late for insertion this month. We will do our best to meet our friend A. Z.'s wishes next month, and should like to have the accounts he proposes, of the hounds, as soon as convenient. Works received" Essays on various Subjects of general Interest." "Horses Past and Present State."

"Piscatorial Reminiscences, and Catalogue of Books on Angling. "Sir Frizzle Pumkin, Nights at Mess, and other Tales."

Painted by W. HAWKINS, and Engraved by DUNCAN, JUCO & MAI

Pike, Carp, and Perch, have been before presented to our readers separately, but a plate of them at this the commencement of the fishing season, will, nevertheless, we believe, be acceptable. The graceful grouping of MR. HAWKINS has lost nothing in the hands of DUNCAN.

THE OXFORD, LEAMINGTON, AND NORTHAMPTON STEEPLE-CHASES, RACES, &c.

BEFORE entering upon the grand affair at Leamington, it will not be deemed, perhaps, out of place, to give a brief sketch of the amateur steeple-chases referred to in my last communication, which came off in Oxfordshire, a short distance from Bicester, on the 24th of February last, the starting place being Mr. Bett's Hill Ground, a mile distant from Gallow's Bridge, on the Aylesbury road, and the chase terminating in a green-sward field, in the hamlet of Blackthorne, the distance being four miles as nearly as could be ascertained. The ground was selected by a noble lord, the country a stiff one, with two brooks, some heavy doubles, and now and then a bullfinch. This race was for a sweepstakes of ten sovereigns each, and got up on the sly; some of the crack men of alma mater being engaged, who for obvious reasons are nameless. For the stakes thirteen horses were entered, seven of which came to the post; two rare looking nags, the property of one of the most opulent sprigs of the nobility, showing on the occasion, the noble lord himself being on the back of one of them. The starter, umpire and judge being appointed, sat about half-past three the word "off "was given, and they all got well bover the first fence. At the first brook, which was a fair hunter's leap, the noble lord took a cold bath. The meadows were deep, and on nearing the second brook, (from fifteen to eighteen feet wide) distress ap-peared to be fast coming on the whole of them, and having gone three miles, high odds were offered against any one clearing it, but to the batista aaron en doid yet bu exon suurin obavudio di no garazom