sportsman, Mr. George Payne, Mr. Hungerford, and others, it is doubtful if there would have been any hunting at all. It would, indeed have been a sad slur upon Northamptonshire for the "Pytchley" to have been discontinued. From Northamptonshire into Leicestershire is but a step. The same master and pack were in the Quorn Country as in the preceding year. Without depreciating their individual merits, which are "million," I must confess, that I never thought either suited to that country. Zeal to show sport, and indefatigable attention, must be fully awarded to Mr. Hodgson, and I heard that he was much liked by the farmers and the country gentlemen; but when one looks back at the time when Tom Smith, Osbaldeston, Sir Bellingham Graham, Sir Harry Goodricke, &c. &c., with their beautiful packs hunted there, the comparison is forcible, and will not bear to be quoted. The hounds in my opinion were too large, and the establishment and means not large enough to meet the large ideas of certain gentlemen who occupy a little town in the centre of this country during the hunting season. "What In opposition to all this, it was put forth to me in answer, would you have? There was nobody else, and besides, Mr. Hodgson is decidedly the best master that has appeared in Leicestershire since the time of old Meynell! for he never takes 'offence.' Now, sir, in a Leicestershire field, it is a difficult thing to avoid this; but Mr. Hodgson somehow or other managed it." This pack had gained considerably, in my opinion, by the acquisition of Day, the new huntsman, whom I had previously remarked in Warwickshire, for his quickness and intelligence-besides being an undeniable rider. I was one day present at a very sharp thing with these hounds from a horse on the Welford Road. It lasted for about 20 minutes as hard as we could go; unluckily the fox took to ground, but not before I had taken occasion to observe the very gallant riding of three or four gentlemen leading, who, curious to say, should all be called, "Captains." There was Captain Maynard, a very difficult customer in any country; there was Captain Smith of Bitteswell, before named; there was Captain Percy Williams, who is well known, and there was some other captain, all of whom were in the first flight. One ought not to omit a Mr. Dashwood, who apparently liked the company of these captains, and hugged them so very close, that I am happy to hear, he has since received promotion to that rank in consequence. NO. XIII.-VOL. III. NEW SEIES. I A PLAN OF THE AINTREE RACE-GROUND, LIVERPOOL, SHOWING THE VARIOUS COURSES. DRAWN AND ENGRAVED BY GEORGE TATTERSALL. THE Course and Grand Stand at Liverpool are a private speculation, and the proprietor has entitled himself to the gratitude of the racing world, for his liberal and spirited management. The Grand Stand, a commodious and tasteful building, cost £10,000, and is calculated to hold 2,500 persons. The distances of the principal courses are as follows: A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Oh CHRISTMAS! Dear CHRISTMAS! we sing, To lighten the heart of its care; Plum pudding! Thy centre we probe! We from Spain, and from Turkey, entice Holland sends from her well cultured field Down deep in the bottle we dip, Are the loved of the heart-not the lip Then CHRISTMAS! Dear CHRISTMAS! come bring Whilst we to our old comrades sing A GOOD HEALTH AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! THE CHASE. MR. MEYNELL'S AND THE ATHERSTONE. DEAR N. S. M. The season is progressing "brilliantly." Amongst our many good days since my last, I have dished you up the following: Nov. 29. Foston: Some sprigs of Royalty, or rather, as our friend calls 'em, "German Grandees," cousins and sisters of the Queen Dowager, had a peep at Mr. Meynell's "musicals" to-day. Drew the Foston covers blank, and then to Bentley Carr, where we unkennelled an old ranger, with a pretty burst for Darley Moor, away to Snelson, and up to Bradley. Here he doubled back and made the best of his way to Snelson, where we lost. N.B. Country awfully deep, and one of the aforesaid "German Grandees," floored. Dec. 6. Mr. Applewhaite at Seal Wood, a prime field out to meet the Atherstone. Lord Chesterfield, Lord Forester, Col. Anson, &c. Drew the wood, immediate find, and "chops" for four and twenty. Trotted down to Clifton, blank; and Thorpe with the same success. Went to Newton Gorse and soon found a fox going away over Ansley Hills to Appleby, when, it being dark, we lost. N.B. rained in torrents all the day. Dec. 9. The Atherstone met at Fisherwick. Found a fine fox in the lower Brookhay wood, from which, after beating about the bushes for some time, we got him away at a rattling pace by the farm, crossed the lane, and in to Fisherwick Park; we here came to a check, but again laid the hounds on, and away through the park to Hademoor. Reynard here put his pursuers to a stand still, by crossing the canal near Tamhorne. Once more on the scent into Hopwas Hayes, out of the wood across the Tamworth road to Swinfen, through Freeford, and approaching the town of Lichfield, but instead of passing through it, skirted to the left in good style, the hounds gaining ground every field across the marsh, and ran into him by Darnford mill, between the brook and canal, after a very good thing of two hours and twenty minutes. N.B. Two or three bagged. Dear N.S.M., Yours truly, MIDLANDER. The QUEEN'S HOUNDS.-The characteristics of the sport with these hounds during the past month have been large fields and small runs. 2 |