another moment a great white owl burst from the cover, followed by a crowd whooping, shrieking, and tearing after this new "varmint" with all their might.

The owl, no doubt surprised at this sudden interruption of his noonday slumbers, seemed at first somewhat bewildered, and, accordingly, settled upon the first tree which came across his flight. But from this temporary refuge he was driven by the shouts and peltings of his persecutors just as Rollicking Jim" was about to "

66

bag" him.

Disappointed in his first dodge, the "moony victim," set his lumbering carcase in motion for a wood distant about a quarter of mile from the cover whence he had broken; and in a short time, the jumps of the hounds over the fences, and the struggle for the first place, formed one of the most amusing scenes I had ever beheld.

The weight carried by the poor owl, however, eventually stopped him, and after dodging his pursuers for above an hour and an half, he finally ran his great thick head into the open arms of Harry Biggs, the most noted poacher in the village, who thereby became entitled to the 'Squire's second crown, to the infinite mortification of his disappointed fellows.

The shades of evening were now falling so fast as to give the chase a great advantage over the pursuers, the Squire therefore, called off his hounds, and fed, or rather drank them on the village green, much, however, to the dissatisfaction of the wooden-legged butcher, who declared loudly that he had just fallen in with" another beautiful cherribum nesty!"

Altogether, I felt highly satisfied with the 'Squire's summer hunting -and although many of my readers will, doubtless, think this tale more fitting to the glowing regions of romance, than to the sober realms of truth, and hint that I might better have attended to my own precepts in this matter; many who will readily recognise this sketch, will know its hero; and for the rest,-why I can only say that my experience tends to prove that truth is frequently more strange than fiction." WILDRAKE.

CHANGES IN HUNTING COUNTRIES.

into the hands of Mr. Thos. Mr. Long is to continue the

THE Duke of Grafton's pack have passed Assheton Smith, at the price of 1000 gs. management of the Hambledon Hunt. Changes are talked of in the Pytchley; but nothing is yet definitively settled. The Cottesmore hounds, and the Old Berkeley, both remain for sale; busy rumour has mentioned both packs in conjunction with the name of Lord Southampton, who, it is said, is about to resume his career as a " Master of Hounds.'

TWO DAYS AT NEWMARKET.-A PEEP AT THE DERBY FAVOURITES.

AFFAIRS here wear a most cheering aspect. The horses generally are in a healthy state, and very forward in their training, particularly those which have engagements in the Spring Meetings. Considerable attention has been given since the Houghton Meeting, to the different courses, which I found in capital order.

It is to be regretted that so spirited a sportsman as the Earl of Jersey, should be so unfortunate with his racing stock. Since the death of old Edwards, the Sultan and Cobweb blood has been in any thing but a flourishing state. When I attended the last July meeting, I thought I never saw a finer, or a more racing-like two years old than the Brother to Phoenix, and upon inquiring his price in the odds for the coming Derby, a noble Lord offered only 18 ponies to 1 against him. The other day, at " the Corner," Mr. G. offered 100 to 1. From what I learnt here, this fine animal went amiss on the week previous to the Houghton Meeting, and his legs have been in a very ticklish state since that period. He nevertheless, takes a great deal of "walking exercise," but, as Sam Chifney said, that will never do to "pull through a Derby." Ransom's string is very small. The Adela filly is in the Oaks, and I feel certain that she will become a rattling favourite for that race. Her action is perfect, her condition forward, and her blood undeniably good. Joachim and Snowdrop are in an active state of preparation; the former, I apprehend, will carry off some of the good things he seemed very much improved since I last saw him. It is very doubtful whether Brother to Phoenix can be got in any thing like trim to run for his Spring engagements, and every one knows how to appreciate that somewhat hackneyed saying of Forth's "that it is of no use to back a horse for the Derby, unless he be right well on the day."

Harlock, private trainer to the Marquis of Exeter, has a very large lot on his hands. I counted no less than twenty-five, of which there were eleven two years olds. Bosphorus and Scutari looked fresh and well, but the three year olds-nine in number-I am sorry to say, are any thing but promising. I must make one exception, and that in favour of an Oaks filly, by Touchstone, out of Amina; this filly, I was told, could run away from any of her companions, and Harlock entertains a strong idea that she will win the Thousand Guineas Stakes. Of the Derby lot in this establishment, the following were in "galloping order." Revocation, Revision, Albium, Revulsion, and Reversion.They are but a sorry lot.

For the last two or three seasons Cooper has been unfortunate with his horses in the early part of the year. His string at the present time consists

of nine two-year olds; three being Derby colts, viz. Chatham, Archy, and Sea Horse; with Garry Owen, 5 yrs. old, Chameleon, 4 yrs. old, Hawk's-eye, 4 yrs. old, and that neat, but slow animal, I-am-not-aware, aged. Chatham I found under suspicion, albeit well enough looking to the eye. He was taking walking exercise only during my stay, but I fearlessly assert that his numerous backers have no cause to be much alarmed. There was some talk about his being reserved for the Derby, but I shall be disappointed if he does not strip for the Tuesday's Riddlesworth. For the Column, in all probability Colonel Peel will run Archy, who is in a more forward state than Chatham. Sea Horse is a big fine animal, but not in my humble opinion cut out for a Derby winner; it was whispered that the stable meant to take the chance of the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes, with this son of Camel, but I fear that the chance of carrying off that valuable stakes is rather remote-at least with Sea Horse.--I would rather stand on Archy. Gibraltar has been put out of training, and is advertised to cover. Cooper's twoyear olds are highly promising; I was particularly struck with the colt by Slane, out of Vulture. Garry Owen is in good work, and under his skilful managers, will undoubtedly win many matches over his favourite T. Y. C.

Boyce has an average lot in preparation. Old Scroggins has left for France, where he will become a leading stallion. Bennington, a strapping Derby colt, broke down during my short stay, and was sent home. The chief strength of this stable is in the four year olds, and upwards. I noticed a smart looking two year old in the shape of a filly by Bizarre, out of Minx's dam. Boyce has of late years been unlucky with his three year olds; in fact, since Rat-trap, he has not brought forward anything within a stone of a Derby winner.

William Edwards has a goodly lot this year, and I am happy to say that his horses were not only well but in capital condition. Little Ralph, I was told, was to have a shy for the Port Stakes in the Craven Meeting; his chance of winning will of course depend upon the health of Coronation, who, it was hinted, was not quite "the thing." There were four or five Derby colts doing good exercise, but I did not notice anything very superior. Robin's running last year was not very respectable, and I am inclined to set him down as a little set horse that has not improved since the last October Meetings. He is somewhat deeply engaged, and may pick up a stake or two over the flat courses here, but there is a great want of power in the animal when we weigh the sort of horse we like for the Derby. I saw a colt, by Mündig, out of Misnomer, that looked as if he was cut out to pay his way. I understand that he was the property of the late lamented Sir F. Johnstone, Bart. He will come out in the lucky colours of the Duke of Bedford, and I fancy will turn out something superior. He stands to be in

the Derby in Lord Jersey's name. This stable is strong in four year olds, and it requires no prophet to say that, health permitting, William Edwards will make a goodly show in some of the great handicap races with his horses.

Of the two year olds-seven in number-I was much pleased with the appearance of Rowland, by Hornsea, out of Ralph's dam. I have a notion that Hornsea will become quite a star amongst our fashionable racing stallions. Dorothy, an Oaks filly, looked blooming and well. She has some of the right sort of blood in her veins for an Oaks race, being a daughter of Dr. Syntax, out of Miss Tree, by Merlin; her action I thought was particularly good. We shall see how she figures in the One Thousand Guineas Stakes in the First Spring Meeting.

Mr. Ford's lot, under the able management of Foster, consists of four two year olds (of which Horse- chesnut and Poison are amazingly promising); three three year olds (of very moderate quality), Metter nich, and Jim Crow. Metternich is certainly a fine looking animal, but I have a notion that his training on is very doubtful.

Lord Orford is very strong this year in point of numbers, but of the qualifications 1 know but little. I saw the lot out under the care of Howe, and as far as the eye could reach, the whole team looked in good condition. Of his seven two year olds I prefer the colt by Velocipede, out of Miss Julia, and the filly by Emilius out of Apollonia, Young Quo Minus, late the property of Mr. Ford, is the schoolmaster to this lot, and is much improved in appearance. Pettit's horses were going on well, Espartero is the pet of the stable for the Derby, and certainly he deserves to be thought of for that event. He is got by Emilius out of Mendizabel's dam. St. James, another good looking Derby colt, had been amiss, but was getting all right again.

I should like to have Mr. Thornhill's chance for the Oaks this year vastly well." The pick of his three year old fillies I take to be Equation. We shall have an opportunity of seeing what this daughter of Emilius and Maria can do, at the Craven Meeting-I fancy she will prove herself a worthy sister of the game little Euclid.

William Ridsdale has a fairish lot under his care; and although I could not discover another Bloomsbury, yet Lasso, by the Saddler, out of Tigress's dam, looked like a dangerous customer as an outside Derby colt.

Rogers's lot are rather "below par," and Prince has nothing worth looking at. Stephenson's stable seemed very formidable. Robert de Gorham, once a leading favourite in the Derby betting, and as fine a favourite as ever was seen, was taking his work very nicely; as was also Canadian, whose leg they say is now all right, but for my own part, I never can fancy a horse for the Derby after his leg has given way. Newmarket, March 21.

UNCLE TOBY.

SKETCHES OF SPORTING LIFE IN IRELAND.
BY MILESIUS BLAKE O'HARA, ESQ.

No. II.

THE FAGHA BALLAGH* BOYS.

THE "Fagha Ballagh Hunt" was a happy little body, "the happiest body," as the President was wont to declare from the chair at their annual commemorative dinner, "the happiest body, moral, social, or political, within the walls of Ireland!"

And indeed the members would have been hard to please if they had not been happy. They had sport "galore," and all their own way; their dogs were of the best, and, all things considered, well kept; the funds it is true were not over flourishing, but they got on notwithstanding, especially since a late regulation, unanimously adopted, providing that no subscriber should remain more than three years in arrear. But the great secret of its happiness was good fellowship; and the Fagha Ballagh boys were, one and all, the cream of good fellows.

Their harmony it is true, had been once interrupted. A bilious nabob had settled in the very centre of them, and an overgrown and purse-proud" salesmaster" from Dublin had purchased property in the county. Both, in an evil hour, were admitted as members; but they never could be brought to understand the principles of the society, and were the cause of numberless annoyances. Fortunately, matters were at last brought to a crisis. The nabob actually declined to act as bail for Harry Leader, the most popular man in the club, in a trifling affair of some £300; and the salesmaster crowned the elimax of his offences by refusing to renew a paltry bill of £50 for the venerable president, Tom O'Shaughnessy himself!

This was the casus belli, and terminated in freeing the club from the incubus. Ned Corrigan rode over the salesmaster," by the way of no harm," in an ugly ditch upon his own property; and the nabob was quietly put out of the way by Leader, who had the dexterity to coax him into a quarrel." From that time things went better. By a law of the body the members were limited, except in extraordinary cases, to the "ould ancient residenthers," and all, as in the olden time, had been happiness and peace.

But alas! the happiness of this amiable community was doomed to a sad trial. Among the evils of a standing army there is a large class of which political economists have never dreamed, and the effects of one of these it is now my lot to recount.