Ab. M.: the odds were 5 to 2 against the filly out of Virago, 3 to 1 against The Black Sea, the same about The Squaw, and 5 to 1 against the colt out of Miss Julia Bennett. (Fie!) A slashing race between The Black Sea and The Knight of the Thistle ended in favour of the former by a neck six ran. The Bedford Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for twoyear-olds, &c., &c., 14 subs., course from the Ancestor post to the Duke's Stand: betting, 6 to 4 on Cnæus, 4 to 1 against Constance, and 5 to 1 against Phlegethon. The first of the running was made, as usual, by the representative of Lord Exeter's stable Midas. At the cords Constance went up, accompanied by Cnæus; the latter, however, never catching Midas. The mare raced with him home, and finally won by half a length...... Thursday was again all that the amateurs of horse coursing could desire; and a bumper list added to its flavour. All sorts of rascality was said and sung touching the Tuesday night's robberies; and it must be confessed some very questionable speculation was a-foot anent them. Cui bono? In these matters the turf can minister to itself—if it will ; "and if it won't, it won't, and there's an end on't." The movement on the Heath began with a Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds, 5 subs., A.F. It was run a match between William the Conqueror, 5 to 4 on him, and Nutshell. According to the custom of the stable, as aforesaid, Nutshell cut out the work he was never caught, and won easily by two lengths. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, T.Y.C.: five ran: 6 to 4 against Solomon, and the same about Theorem. A sharp run up the cords between Theorem, Hippogriff, and Ischia, ended in favour of the former by a neck. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for all ages, first half of Ab. M., 9 subs. betting, 7 to 4 against Newport, 5 to 2 Ploughboy, and 5 to 1 Antigone. The filly and Ploughboy went away in front together; at the cords she raced by him, and won very easily by a length: seven ran. Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for three-year-olds, 4 subs., D.M. They laid 2 to 1 against Humphrey, the same about Candlewick, and 5 to 2 against Preslaw. A stride for stride race from the entrance of the ropes, however, ended in favour of Candlewick by a length. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, first half of Ab. M., 8 subscribers; all went: odds, 5 to 2 against Faux-pas, 7 to 2 Julia, 5 to 1 the colt out of Marpessa, the same about the colt out of Louisa, and 7 to 1 against anything else. In a very honestly contested scurry the favourite won cleverly by a length. Renewal of the Bretby Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-old fillies, 11 subs., last three quarters of the B.M.; betting, 7 to 4 agst. Catalpa, the same about Merry Peal, and 5 to 1 against Coticula: four ran. Merry Peal cut out the work. At the ropes Catalpa and Coticula joined her, the trio struggling abreast to the chair, where the two last just contrived to land before her, Catalpa first by half a length. Handicap Plate of 100 sovs., for three-year-olds and upwards, A.F. A mighty multitude entered for this prize, whereof thirteen came to the post. They laid 5 to 2 against The Castle, 4 to 1 Borneo, 6 to 1 Snowstorm, the same about Legerdemain, 7 to 1 against Repletion, and 10 to 1 Chabron. Without recording all the moves of the players, it may be sufficient to say that for the conqueror the set-to was between Borneo and Legerdemain, the former winning by a length. The Cracow Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds, &c., &c., Cesarewitch Course, 6 subs. This was run a match between the colt by Dromedary, dam by Mulatto, and Necklace; 5 to 4 on the colt. The view was a correct one, as he won with all ease by a couple of lengths. The list was finished by Bee-hunter receiving 50 sovs. from John o' Gaunt, in their match for £200, h. ft., 8st. 71b. each. Friday opened with a match for £200 each, h. ft., T.Y.C.: the competitors were Phlegra, 3 to 1 on her against Pirouette, 8st. 4lb. each. The favourite won easily by a length. Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, &c., &c., for three-year-olds and upwards, 12 subs., T.Y.C.; nine ran: 5 to 2 against Mildew, 7 to 2 California, 6 to 1 Longinus, the same about Strongbow, and 10 to 1 The Swede. They started at a merry bat; and all at it as hard as they could crack, entered the ropes. It was the best wins, and no mistake, California just defeating The Swede and Longinus by a head, on the post. The Prendergast Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for twoyear-olds, lots of conditions, 20 subs., T.Y.C.; five of the score showed: 6 to 4 on Citadel, 4 to 1 against Midas, and 5 to 1 Breba. Midas, again as became the champion of the Exeter stable went away "slick," was never approached, and won by a length. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, 3 subs., first half of Ab. M.; the lot went, with 5 to 4 on Solomon. The favourite led from end to end, and won in a canter by three lengths. A Post Sweepstakes of 300 each, h. ft., 7 subs., T.Y.C., was walked over for by Ariosto; and two matches having paid, the meeting-an excellent one-was brought to a finishI had almost said a satisfactory finish. But first let us inquire how the play of "The Robbers," by the gent with the indefinite description, ter minated. On the following Monday we may be sure his creditors were not among the latest arrivals at "the Corner." On entering the Subscription Room they found his pledge to "settle," carried out as per annexed : "DEAR SIR,-I have great regret in informing you that I shall be prevented settling my account at Tattersall's on Monday, entirely by the articles on the subject which have appeared in the daily papers, particularly 'The Times.' On Friday morning, when I went to my uncle's man of business for the money he had promised me, I found him in a most excited state, having just seen 'The Times' and Herald.' He said he had never heard such an infamous thing; that they had not only robbed me of my money, but had tried to rob me of my character. When I reminded him of his promise, he answered that I had told him it was for lost bets, but that had he known the circumstances, he never should have thought of accommodating me, but would have done all in his power to prevent my paying. He persisted that it was a regular conspiracy, trying to persuade him to the contrary. He evidently had a great desire to inform my uncle, but I think he will not for my sake. Pray tell my creditors, particularly Messrs. Davies and Munton, who have behaved in the most gentlemanly manner, how much I regret my inability to pay at present, but I have no doubt in a few weeks they will be paid. At present I could not raise the money without the probability of coming to my uncle's cars, and that risk I would not incur if anyone laid me down this moment £20,000. I find that in Bell's Life' they intended to give my name in full, but fortunately used six wrong letters out of eight. If my name should appear correctly, the consequences to me may be, comparatively speaking, ruinous. "I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, "A. PEMISTON.' and as This document, it will be observed, bears no date or address a correct version of the writer's name, according to the original, "might be, comparatively speaking, ruinous," there is reason to conclude that the subscription is in keeping with the transaction with which it is connected. And who is this "uncle"? Is it his father's or his mother's brother, or that mythical relative whom such as give "pledges" are in the ordinary habit of having recourse to? In "The Times" of the 22nd ult., there was an advertisement offering a reward of SIX HUNDRED POUNDS for the recovery of bank notes-no amount stated" stolen on the night of the 15th inst., from a lodging-house at Newmarket." Is this stealing a fable seasoned with Scotland-yard and a reward of six hundred pounds, that might as well have been made six hundred millions for any risk that it would ever have a claimant ? What manner of men are these, who, we are told, go philandering about with their pockets stuffed with thousand-pound notes? Read Mr. What's-his-name's letter. Is it the production of a gentleman: is it the composition of one who had learnt grammar or construction at a decent charity-school? "At present I could not raise the money without the probability of coming to my uncle's ears"......" On Friday morning when I went to my uncle's man of business for the money he had promised me, I found him in a most excited state, having just seen The Times' and 'Herald.' He said he had never heard such an infamous thing that they had not only robbed me of my money, but had tried to rob me of my character." What will they say to that in Printing-House Square and Shoe Lane? Another gentleman "went" upon the Cesarewitch, whose note for the information of the members of Tattersall's was also a "stunning" specimen of epistolary style...... There is, however, another version of the Pewminster-PemistonPumiston myth afloat, which savours stronger of the truth than the more current edition. It attributes the property in the £4,500 to a company of three partners, whereof the acting manager was the recent débutant of the ring. It goes on to hint that the sleeping partners, however, were the widest awake, and that to prevent their man of business making a fool of himself, by paying what they had lost out of that which they had won, one of them "secured" the capital, and removed it to a place of safety. It is even whispered that the whereabouts was accidentally revealed but that the discovery will ever benefit Messrs. Davis, Munton, Ives, and Co., the sufferers, has not been suggested. When the " Rigs of the Ring" are published, then may the "Newgate Calendar" "hide its diminished head." The experiment of an Autumn Meeting at Brighton was successful— so far as related to the materiel. There was racing upon two days, and plenty of it. But the weather was bitter bad: when it rains and blows and blasts upon the South Downs, there's "no mistake" about it. I had a touch of the climate there one New Year's Day, in a cambric shirt and a gros de Naples jacket, of which the record is treasured in my bones to this day. As strong allusion occurs in this summary to the quarrel between Mr. Conrad Montgomery and Mr. Merry, the clerk of Warwick Races, it is fit to observe that the affair referred to has thus been placed before the public since the afore-mentioned notice of it was written: The secre * The following paragraph appeared in "The Times" of the 23rd ult. :—“THE LATE ALLEGED ROBBERY AT NEWMARKET.-We are requested to state that the advertisement on this subject which appeared in our yesterday's impression, was not published by the Commissioners of Police, or any person acting with their sanction." tary of the Warwick Race Committee addressed a letter to Mr. Montgomery, stating the desire on the part of the gentlemen of whom it consists to investigate his charges against their official representative, Mr. Merry. The reply was that, in Mr. Montgomery's opinion, it would be "more satisfactory to the racing public if the case against Mr. Merry is heard by the most competent tribunal, composed of members of the Jockey Club, to whom it may be referred next week, with a certainty of an impartial hearing." To this the committee made rejoinder that "having afforded Mr. Montgomery full opportunity of substantiating the charge made against Mr. Merry, and he having failed to do so, or to bring any evidence in support thereof, they decline taking any further steps in the matter :"-that is to say, they decline the suggestion as to the "competent tribunal" and "impartial hearing," put forth by the complainant. Now I think I should myself have hesitated upon the same grounds that Mr. Montgomery declined the proposed arbitration. It came to pass that I went one morning to Bow-street police-office ("a long time ago") to see the result of a fight that came off the preceding night at one of the cider-cellars, into which I had gone for a pull of stout after a three hours' baking in Drury-lane theatre. It was a case of very emphatic battery, the combatants facing the bench with frontispieces carved in horrible hieroglyphics. Each of the principals was provided with a "professional adviser.' The skirmish for the first word was won by a cadavorous-looking man with a broken nose, and both his eyes "in mourning." is Pray, sir, what is your name?" asked the magistrate: “and what your occupation?" "My name is Smith," was the reply; "and I'm a lawyer. I was peaceably eating a Welsh rabbit about twelve o'clock last night, when that ruffian with the red whiskers"-here a grievous growl sounded from the farther end of the bar-" comes behind my back, and, catching hold of my ears, buries my countenance in the tin pannikin, filled with toasted cheese as hot as molten lead. • What d'ye mean by that, you villain,' cries I? I mane,' shouts he-he's a wild beast from Ireland-(another growl)-I mane that the mess you're atin' might'nt agree with your stomach, so here's wholesomer food for you!' dashing a couple of baked potatoes into my eyes, that deprived me of my senses and my sight like cannon-balls." "I never heard of a more violent assault," remarked the presiding magistrate. "What have you to say for yourself?" addressing the red whiskers: "Who are you, sir, and where do you come from?" "I'm known by the name of O'Dempsey," replied he of the fiery favoris and temper, "and when I'm at home it's mostly in Dublin I do be: as to what I'm to say for myself, arrah! what should I say ? Doesn't the deponent confess that he's a lawyer? and isn't all he's said a lie-of coorse?"...... Bench, bar, all-save the "advisers"-burst into a shout of laughter. The attornies on both sides joined sympathetic issue against "the libeller of the profession"-"the insulter of the dignity of law," and so forth. But it wouldn't do: "solvuntur risu tabulæ !" and as I went forth I reflected on the old maxim "A fellow-feeling makes us wond'rous kind." AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PHEASANT. EDITED BY SARON, FROM AN ORIGINAL MS. IN HIS POSSESSION. CHAP. II. "Trepidation and indecision are great drawbacks on attaining the art of BLAINE'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RURAL SPORTS. "Sometimes I hunt the fox, the vowed foe Another day in the woods-Major Skittowe-Lieutenants Thomson and Riddle of "ours"-Disastrous bursting of a gun-Blowing up a timid animal-Netting a pheasant-Shooting sitting-The Major's faux pas - Private Sims severely wounded-A day with the fox hounds—“To mount or not to mount, that is the question"-A practical joke. For the next ten days I enjoyed the most perfect quiet, and my nerves were just beginning to recover their former state, when about nine o'clock in the morning of the 18th October, I was reminded that the land-sharks were abroad. At that hour a gentleman enveloped in a military cloak, attended by his servant, drove up in a dennet, to the lodge at the skirts of the wood, where already were assembled the two sons of the noble proprietor (one of whom I recognized as the youth that had attended Sir John on the last day's shooting), the keepers, beaters, and the dogs. "Good morning, my Lords. Hope I am not late," said a stout, florid looking man, of about fifty years of age, as he stepped out of his vehicle. Thomson and Riddle of curs are immediately behind me. Most kind of his Grace to give us a day's shooting. I should have been here sooner, but we are so occupied with our ball. The ladies importune one so for tickets; and when a female's in the case!-the delishos creatures give me no time to breathe." The speaker's figure was of the punchy order; his legs were diminutive in length, and bandy in shape; his chest was broad; his neck was short; his visage was like a full fiery harvest moon; his head was bald and shining, and the lower part was slightly fringed with a narrow stripe of white curly hair; his small, well trimmed whiskers were of the same hue; his arms were contracted; his hands, or rather paws, were thick, large, and red; his eyes were grey and feline looking; his teeth, of which he was peculiarly proud (for his mouth was always in a grin), were pearly white. Upon throwing back his military cloak, Major Skittowe (for such was his name) appeared equipped as a sportsman, and nothing could exceed the risible effect produced upon those who saw him for the first time. His legs-if, as the Irishman said, "thim could be called legs"—were Z |