by a length. Thus ended the Royal Races at Ascot, in the year of the world's rendezvous. Ungracious words are the monosyllables, "I told you so!" but sometimes they may be of wholesome application. The palpable falling off in the character of the great race meetings of the present season is a result that was foreshadowed in these pages. But it is not too late to save the turf from its impending jeopardy. Will not its chivalry rise to the rescue ?

Contemporary with Ascot was the East Riding Meeting, in the north--a sporting tryst, but not of sufficient account for especial notice here. The succeeding week was brimful of Olympics. Space, however, can only be accorded to an epitome of two meetings, those at Manchester and Moulsey Hurst. The metropolitan junketting claims place, so we proceed to introduce Hampton to the curious in cockneys. The Hurst whilom famous for its Fistiana-has long been, and still continues to be foremost among the metropolitan holiday racing reunions. Its Olympian anniversary falls in the season when summer is in the prime. Its position is one of rare sylvan beauty-moreover it enjoys a heritage of habit-a succession of infinite importance to places where people congregate. The management, malheureusement, has not been in good odour of latter years. A practical man, indeed, took it in hand when "Jimmy Ducks" was superannuated; but somehow or other, things are not ship-shape there: perhaps it is not essential they should. This year the "added money," after deducting £20 for expenses, amounted to four hundred and sixty-five pounds. Wednesday the 11th ult. was fine. Thursday, 12th, was foul-rain from noon till night; and the Cup day at Hampton was a melancholy failure. On the first day there were six races, exclusive of heats: on the second, five, heats not included. Like all its south country predecessors of the present year, it was remarkable for the falling off in the character of the company. "Haud meus hic sermo"-only: I am not solitary in my analysis. "Bell's Life" thus described it...... "The Stands were crowded; and the attendance altogether was excellent: we are bound to add that it fell short in quality, and that the pickpockets were in immense force." The sport does not call for note or comment.

At

Contemporary with Hampton was the summer meeting at Manchester. There cannot be a more appropriate introduction to it than the statement that, after deducting £45 "for expenses," the net amount of "added money" was twelve hundred and ninety-five pounds!...... There were three race-days-seventeen races-to sixteen of which there was money added, varying from £300 to £30. It is to be presumed that masters of race-horses will presently be aware of the meetings which best deserve their countenance and support. all events, it shall not be for the want of data furnished by these pages. No incident of the sport calls for particular notice. The meeting is as yet without any monster betting-race-a state of things that the industry-for which the locality is renowned-is sure to provide a remedy for presently. In the sinews of success it is a financial Hercules-let those, whose office it is to apply them, bear in memory the moral of the goose and the golden egg. They will assuredly have the laugh against the unjust steward, of whom it shall be said—"de te fabula narratur." Public people, who owe their position to public opinion, would do well not to lose sight of the proverbial uncertainty of such a tenure.

Skipping a mass of country meetings, we come to the twin-trystBibury and Stockbridge. The former, by failure of a race for the Bibury Stakes, was all but limited to one day-a very full one. It opened with the victory of the colt by Epirus, out of Enterprise, of Derby memory, for a Produce Stake of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 13 subs. He was at one period of the traffic backed at 7 to 4 on him, but left off at 6 to 5 against him. A Plate of 70 sovs., for all ages over two years old, produced seven amateur jocks at the post, the winner Capt. Little on Remunerator. The Champagne Stakes, for two-year-olds, Aitchbone won, beating three others by a neck; 6 to 5 on him. A Plate of 60 sovs., for two and three-year-olds, Longreach won in a field of eightcleverly; and Guardsman having walked over for the Bibury, the list was wound up with a Scurry Plate of 70 sovs., handicap, won by Shropshire Witch. The "all but one day" was ousted by means of a Handicap Plate of 40 sovs., made for amateur riders on the Thursday; three ran for it, and Sagacity, with 5 to 2 on him, won. Then followed the Stockbridge moiety of the meeting. It was put on the scene with the Third Year of the First Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 35 subs. The field mustered three. The odds were 5 to 2 on Cariboo, who made ducks-and-drakes of it, winning by eight lengths, or the like. Second year of the Second Triennial Stakes, 36 subs., induced 5 to show. They laid 7 to 2 on Lamartine. It was a race between the favourite and Glenhawk, the latter being only beaten at the finish by three-parts of a length. First year of the Third Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 43 subs. This came off with six runners, Kingston backed at 5 to 4 on him. The result was two dead heats between Chief Baron Nicholson and the favourite -the pair ultimately dividing the stakes. The Stockbridge Plate, of 50 sovs., for all ages, heats, closed the catalogue with three of those remnants of a barbarous age; won by Woodsprite, the best of three. Great things are promised at this Siamese meeting in 1852.

Cariboo

Contemporary with Bibury and Stockbridge, were Newton races -extending, however, over three days. There was a "dotation" of five hundred pounds, and, as the ring told you with a crow, "lots of betting;" but the ensemble was not brilliant. The weather might have been better, and so might the attendance. Winchester races fell also in this week. They were not profuse of sport. was allowed to walk over for the Queen's Hundred, and cheerful won the Original Hampshire Stakes by a head, in a field of four. A Produce Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds, six subs., was run a match between the colt by Venison, out of Passion, 2 to 1 on him, and Mary Bland. The favourite won by three parts of a length. Two other events were proposed, but they did not come to anything.

Newcastle Races occupied the last week of June. They consisted of the now regular four days; and between fine weather and a good bill of fare, resulted satisfactorily. The feature of the meeting was, of course, the great handicap-The Northumberland plate. For this seventy animals were subscribed, and a field of eight paraded. I have neither time nor disposition to analyze the mise en scene of this weight for wisdom issue. The favourite was Uriel, at 6 to 4 against him. The winner was Neasham, one of the foremost of the field for the Derby. His weight

was 5st. 4lbs. that is to say, 3st. 3lbs. less than he ran "forward" with at Epsom. The North Derby Nancy won. What light this throws upon the character of the Chester Cup race, people will peep through for themselves. The fields were short at Newcastle; it may be worth the speculator's while to calculate what they are likely to be in the month upon which we have entered. The meetings announced for July amount to three-and-twenty; to which may be added a few "byes." Among them are the leviathan reunions of Liverpool and Goodwood. Will backing horses be good policy under such a pressure of circumstances? passing the question, is it ever a sound discretion? How many promising investments will a fortnight of the present weather-I write on the 27th of June-put hors de combat? The summer tryst at Newmarket, which dates contemporary with this number, will not do much for the Derby of 1852. Lapidist, one of the Market lot, is in the Chesterfield Stakes, and the stable is dis

tinguished for the form of its two-year-olds. The July may give the ring a pot, but not upon foregone premises. The meeting, however, is not looked to by the profession. It is featureless as regards the foreground, and in its prospective barren of interest for the trade. Malgre this "great discouragement," I should say to one of our foreign visitors who asked me where he might see a sample of English racing "Go to Newmarket to-day."

SALE OF MR. DRAKE'S HOUNDS: HIS COUNTRY, &c.

BY RABY.

These celebrated hounds have passed away from their late worthy owner, and are now dispersed into different hunts in England. Assuredly few packs of hounds would have drawn together more determined bidders for them; and never did I see a larger "gathering" of huntsmen than on the present occasion: at every turn some well-known face was recognized. They assembled from north, south, east, and west. Amongst the M. F. H. who were present, I noticed Lord Henry Bentinck (Burton Hunt), Sir Watkin Wynn (Wynnstay), Messrs. Henley Greaves (Cottesmore), H. Villebois (Vale of White Horse), J. Morrell (Old Berkshire), Hall (Holderness), Lowndes (Whaddon Chase), T. Drake (Oxfordshire), Trelawney (Lyneham), Lawley, Kennedy (Kildare), Ruxton (Louth), &c., several ex-masters and country gentlemen.

Amongst the huntsmen were to be seen Will Long, J. Jones, Ben Foote, T. Balls, J. Walker, Harry Ayris, J. Dinnicomb, Geo. Carter, Wm. Goodall, Ben Boothroyd, C. Payne, T. Wingfield, J. Hills, W. Butler, Dickens, Stevens, C. Treadwell, Will Danby, cum multis aliis.

The hounds were put up in twelve lots, each lot consisting of eight

Skipping a mass of country meetings, we come to the twin-trystBibury and Stockbridge. The former, by failure of a race for the Bibury Stakes, was all but limited to one day-a very full one. It opened with the victory of the colt by Epirus, out of Enterprise, of Derby memory, for a Produce Stake of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 13 subs. He was

at one period of the traffic backed at 7 to 4 on him, but left off at 6 to 5 against him. A Plate of 70 sovs., for all ages over two years old, produced seven amateur jocks at the post, the winner Capt. Little on Remunerator. The Champagne Stakes, for two-year-olds, Aitchbone won, beating three others by a neck; 6 to 5 on him. A Plate of 60 sovs., for two and three-year-olds, Longreach won in a field of eightcleverly; and Guardsman having walked over for the Bibury, the list was wound up with a Scurry Plate of 70 sovs., handicap, won by Shropshire Witch. The "all but one day" was ousted by means of a Handicap Plate of 40 sovs., made for amateur riders on the Thursday; three ran for it, and Sagacity, with 5 to 2 on him, won. Then followed the Stockbridge moiety of the meeting. It was put on the scene with the Third Year of the First Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 35 subs. The field mustered three. The odds were 5 to 2 on Cariboo, who made ducks-and-drakes of it, winning by eight lengths, or the like. Second year of the Second Triennial Stakes, 36 subs., induced 5 to show. They laid 7 to 2 on Lamartine. It was a race between the favourite and Glenhawk, the latter being only beaten at the finish by three-parts of a length. First year of the Third Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 43 subs. This came off with six runners, Kingston backed at 5 to 4 on him. The result was two dead heats between Chief Baron Nicholson and the favourite -the pair ultimately dividing the stakes. The Stockbridge Plate, of 50 sovs., for all ages, heats, closed the catalogue with three of those remnants of a barbarous age; won by Woodsprite, the best of three. Great things are promised at this Siamese meeting in 1852.

Cariboo

Contemporary with Bibury and Stockbridge, were Newton races -extending, however, over three days. There was a "dotation" of five hundred pounds, and, as the ring told you with a crow, "lots of betting;" but the ensemble was not brilliant. The weather might have been better, and so might the attendance. Winchester races fell also in this week. They were not profuse of sport. was allowed to walk over for the Queen's Hundred, and cheerful won the Original Hampshire Stakes by a head, in a field of four. A Produce Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds, six subs., was run a match between the colt by Venison, out of Passion, 2 to 1 on him, and Mary Bland. The favourite won by three parts of a length. Two other events were proposed, but they did not come to anything.

Newcastle Races occupied the last week of June. They consisted of the now regular four days; and between fine weather and a good bill of fare, resulted satisfactorily. The feature of the meeting was, of course, the great handicap-The Northumberland plate. For this seventy animals were subscribed, and a field of eight paraded. I have neither time nor disposition to analyze the mise en scene of this weight for wisdom issue. The favourite was Uriel, at 6 to 4 against him. The winner was Neasham, one of the foremost of the field for the Derby. His weight

of hounds, against the threatened invasion: such a protest must surely have effect. The rights of fox-hunters may probably be like the privileges of parliament-more dependent on practice than on any positive law. To the credit, however, of those who have been considered as intelligent sportsmen, their conduct has been directed by an honourable adherence to a custom which can be completely justified by the immoderate expense inseparable from the support of a pack of foxhounds. The custom to which I allude is, that whenever a pack of foxhounds has hunted a country with the consent of the proprietors of the estates where the coverts are situated, it is not in the power of the owners of these coverts to take them from the Hunt to give them to another. Allowing this to be a principle of fox-hunting, there appears to me to be no question as to the right of Mr. T. Drake's retaining the country in question. The time since Mr. Drake first hunted these coverts would almost confirm a title to an estate by prescription. His hounds have been in full possession of the country, from which there has been no dereliction. It is exceedingly unfortunate that any difference of opinion should arise between two masters of hounds; and the consequence will be that both will suffer, as the gentlemen of the country who are displeased by the intrusion will destroy the foxes, by which the country will be of use to neither.

Some years ago many applications were made to Lord Ailesbury (by his late Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and others), for leave to hunt the Marlborough Forest and Collingbourne Woods. His Lordship constantly declined any interference, on the ground of the country being hunted by the Craven Hounds, and referred the applicants to Mr. Dundas, the then Master of the Craven Hounds, saying, "he knew the laws of fox-hunting too well to suppose that he had a right to give leave to any person to hunt even his own coverts."

I have heard of an anecdote told of the late celebrated John Warde, which I believe to be strictly true. When Mr. Warde was hunting the Oakley country, the late Duke of Bedford established a pack of foxhounds, and one day appointed them to meet at a covert of his own; Mr. Warde wrote a polite note to the duke, stating that, according to the rights of fox-hunting, he could not draw the appointed covert, although it was his own. In consequence of this the duke altered the fixture, and on the first time of Mr. Warde meeting at this said covert, the duke, and his friends who were staying with him at Woburn, attended at the fixture, when Mr. Warde rode up to His Grace, and taking off his hat, out of respect to the duke, said, "My Lord Duke—I am extremely sorry that my duty as the present occupier of this country compelled me to establish my right to draw this covert: having done so, I now concede it to your Grace, so long as I hunt the Oakley country, and have no doubt it will afford you good sport." This was well worthy of John Warde as a gentleman, and an intelligent sportsman. June 6, 1851,

RABY.