The noble house of Yarborough has paid as much attention to the blood of the fox-hounds which have been bred in the Brocklesby kennel, as to the qualifications and character of the tenants on the estate. It is justly esteemed as the acmè of perfection. For a long series of years none have been retained unless they were in every respect worthy of preferment: they are celebrated for stoutness, courage, exquisite olfactory powers, and symmetry. Governed by an hereditary taste for the same good qualities, that confusion manifest in many other kennels has been avoided in this,

The old adage that "like begets like" is strikingly applicable in the numerous attributes which descend from one generation to another in the canine species: the colours, propensities, and symmetry of the parents may not always prevail in the first progeny; they will often come from a remote generation. All faults should therefore be guarded against with the most scrupulous assiduity. The want of a stud-book by which the pedigrees of hounds may be traced must be an inconvenience seriously felt by masters of hounds, as much difficulty is often experienced in tracing the blood beyond one or two generations. All masters of hounds who breed extensively know the pedigrees of their own hounds; but they know little of that of other packs, and thus when they find it necessary to obtain fresh blood from distant kennels, they are in a great measure uncertain whether it may be suitable for the purpose, as nothing is more essential than to avoid incestuous strains. With this view, I have thought, should it meet the approval of masters of hounds, to compile one by subscription, to commence from the year 1843, when Earl Ducie had the lists of the principal packs of hounds published, which, with those lists at the end of the Noiitia Venatica, would form a chain sufficient for all practical purposes. The most extensive breeders find it necessary to resort to other kennels for sires, which, after all, may in many instances contain much of the blood of their own packs; in some cases from death or other causes, not capable of detection. By renewing the publication which I propose every three years, this evil would be remedied.

Seeing that a great change has taken place in the affairs of the chase, which some are disposed to interpret as having arisen from a decline of taste in the present generation, but which I consider to be the inevitable results attendant upon those changes in the social condition to which mankind is subject, it would be most desirable if some measures could be adopted calculated to maintain the character and condition of foxhunting. One of the most conspicuous events is the general resort to London, or other populous towns, of noblemen and gentlemen of landed estates, rather than a residence during the winter months at the paternal mansion: when it was the fashion for a gentleman to reside in the country, if he hunted at all it was considered imperative that he should subscribe to the fox-hounds with which he hunted. Considerably more han three-fourths of the establishments which hunt throughout England are kept by subscription, which falling off necessarily decreases the means and appliances requisite to support the chase in its most exalted condition. Some few years ago, an attempt was made to establish a hunt club in London. Could not that be done now with success and good effect? So many gentlemen make the metropolis their residence throughout the winter, and so many more now than formerly, that the formation of a club appears quite practicable. It would amount to

their having withdrawn from their hunt club in the country to a similar one upon a larger scale in London. By devoting the funds of the club to the interest of fox-hunting, a great object would be accomplished. The fashionable hunts within reach of London are inundated with horsemen; and such as are subscription packs have every reason to expect those who hunt with them should contribute to the expenses. Hunt clubs have been in existence for many years in divers counties, their effects characterized with most beneficial results. As social communities, they must be highly desirable; and among the immense variety of clubs held in London, it appears singular that the patrons and participators of this highly-esteemed pastime should not associate upon similar conditions to the yacht clubs.

The

The Atherstone hounds, again under the management of Captain Thomson, are reported "in high force," and will afford the natives of Birmingham occasional treats by hunting a portion of that which was formerly known as the North Warwickshire country, extending as far as Hampton Coppice, including Stone Bridge and Packington. The Warwickshire Hunt will resume nearly the whole of the remaining portion of the North Warwickshire country, and will hunt six days in the week. This will be accomplished by the whipper performing the duties of huntsman in the northern portion two days, so that the whole district of what was formerly Mr. Corbet's country, will be again united. Mr. Corbet only hunted four days in the week throughout the whole extent; it will now afford six-a circumstance not quite in accordance with the idea that fox-hunting is deficient of patrons. The North Warwickshire country not having been hunted, with the exception of the Dunchurch side, for several seasons, must lead to the apprehension that a scarcity of foxes will be a great barrier to the sport of the ensuing season. precaution of turning down cubs may have been resorted to; but they cannot be expected to run like old ones, or even like others of the same age, bred in their native woods. It is an incontrovertible fact that when a country ceases to be hunted, the destruction of foxes ensues: this again is proof that some respect is entertained for the "noble science." The hunters which have been revelling in their loose boxes during the summer months have been put into a course of active preparation. Although the value of horses, like that of all other property connected with agriculture, is on a scale somewhat reduced, the difficulty of procuring first-rate hunters is very great. The stables of the London dealers have not been occupied with anything approaching to their usual complement; not because they were disinclined to give adequate prices, but because horses of high character and quality are not to be found. Is not this a circumstance calculated to call forth the serious attention of the farmer to resume the speculation of breeding? At the present crisis the supply is certainly not equal to the demand. In the midland counties there is not one brood mare kept now where five were kept ten years ago; and another cause may be assigned why so few horses of character can be found-wretched brutes of stallions are resorted to instead of those possessing power and symmetry. If the fee is low, no matter the qualification of the animal. Improvement in the cultivation of land is the order of the day, and improvement in breeding stock should go hand in hand, or the labours of the farmer are very incomplete. As a matter of agricultural policy, it appears to be highly neces

sary that great attention should be paid to rearing all kinds of stock. So long as the present system permits the importation of grain free from duty, the British farmer will experience difficulty in competing with the foreign growers; but he has nothing to fear in the commodity of horseflesh. Hunters, hacks, and carriage-horses have never yet been introduced from abroad, and there is not the most remote probability they ever will be. The present value of hay and corn should be another stimulus to the undertaking; and if the experiments which have been made to propel railway carriages by horses, instead of steam, should be successful, the demand for horses for that purpose will be very extensive. I cannot imagine any engagement connected with farming so likely to prove advantageous as that of breeding horses of first-rate character upon an extensive scale. There is also another class of horses now much sought after in London, for the purpose of drawing huge carts and waggons placed on springs, of a more active nature than the heavy dray-horse. The ease with which horses can draw vehicles placed on springs, compared to the labour required to be brought into action with carriages not so provided, has established a demand for large and powerful animals, something heavier than the coach-horse, but still retaining activity. Such animals demand the farmers' particular attention; at three years old they would come into use, to perform the necessary operations on the land. It would be the means of teaching them to work, at the same time that it would supersede the necessity for keeping horses for the express purpose, out of which no profit in the way of sale is ever expected. Having worked them a year and a half or two years, they would arrive at a proper age for the London dealer.

The near approach of the hunting season brings with it the usual pleasures of hope and excitement with every reason for anticipating a favourable one, providing the elements are propitious. The reports from most countries are most flattering as relates to the preservation of foxes; while the mania for cultivating inordinate quantities of game appears very greatly to have subsided. Although no man can reasonably desire to see game annihilated, excessive preservation is highly objectionable. It leads to dissatisfaction, and affords those who would sacrifiice rural attractions and agricultural prosperity, opportunities for expressing most caustic sentiments.

The extraordinary dryness of the season has operated greatly against the initiation of the foxhound in the way of cub-hunting, and few packs have as yet obtained their accustomed allowance of blood. A most painful accident happened to Lord Gifford on the 1st of October, when his hounds met at Trebandy. They found a leash of foxes, and presently settling to one of them ran him to ground in an earth overhanging a brook, when his Lordship jumped off his horse to examine the place, and was momentarily assailed by a lot of hornets, which the unexpected bustle had aroused from their nest in an old ash pollard. Lord Gifford was glad to make his escape from their territories with all imaginable haste, but it was not before they had attacked him with their venomous and painful stings about the back of his head, neck, and hands. So intense was the pain, that, after remounting his horse, it caused him to faint. Some gentlemen and farmers who were out extracted the stings, and the acuteness of the pain being allayed he drew for another fox, which in an hour's time he had in his hands, compensating him in some

measure for the agony he had experienced. All who are acquainted with Lord Gifford are well aware of his pluck: after such an unwelcome visitation few other men would have drawn again, and killing his fox under such circumstances is a proof what a man enthusiastically fond of hunting will undergo to obtain blood.

MOUNSEER,

WINNER OF THE CHESTER CUP, 1850.

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY HARRY HALL.

Being now for the third time disappointed in our Leger winner, we fall back on our reserved forces for some minor celebrity: our selection, as far as public interest and excitement go, furnishing the winner of about the fourth great race of the year. In general performance, however, handicap horses rarely reach so high a standard, and the subject of our present notice, it will be seen, forms no exception to this common matter of fact.

PEDIGREE.

Mounseer, bred by Mr. Ford in 1846, was got by St. Francis out of Mademoiselle by Economist, her dam Red Tape by Rowton, out of Pigmy by Election.

St. Francis, bred by Mr. Thornhill in 1835, is by St. Patrick out of Surprise by Scud. He was a very capital race horse, having won twenty-eight times, including the Ascot Cup and Vase; and when in form, with old Sam Chifney on his back, the plain snaffle in his head, swish-tail, and quiet even style of going, had a most varmint workmanlike appearance, which his performances fully corroborated. As a stallion, though not yet reaching the highest degree, he holds a very fair rank, his list of winners including Impression, Lady Frances, St. Ann, St. Antonio, St. Rosalia, and others.

Mademoiselle, bred by Mr. Ford in 1842, is little known in the "Calendar," having indeed been covered at three years old, and throwing Mounseer as her first foal. In one of the October Meetings of this same year, 1846, she was brought to the hammer with the rest of Mr. Ford's stud, and knocked down to Mr. Jaques for 42 guineas. She was stinted at the time to Coronation, and lived to produce to him Dauphin, a very poor performer; shortly after which she injured her spine and was destroyed.

At the same sale Mounseer, then a brown colt without a name, was purchased by the Honourable Major Pitt for 36 guineas, and in whose name and colours he commenced and closed his career.

Mounseer was a brown horse, standing about fifteen hands two inches high; he had a good blood-looking head, strong neck, fine oblique