Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

very feathers in the ascendant have nearly all some good public work to fall back on-Whinstone's doings in Scotland, for instance, and Mermaid's in Ireland, giving no little help to the strength of the three and old divisions.

four year

Hope, Inheritress, Mickey Free, and Intrepid, too, are amongst the "good out" and "well in" that have attracted attention; while, on the other hand, Best Bower, Cataract, Fitzallen, Miss Burns, and one or two others, cannot ground their support on anything beyond the charity of the handicapper, or the so often misplaced partiality of their friends. One of these, Best Bower, has certainly at times shown some running, but scarcely sufficient, in our idea, to warrant that support which, in the commencement of last month, made him indisputably first favourite. On this nag, however, with Whinstone, Mermaid, the Baron, Intrepid, Colleen Dhas, and Sweetmeat, the heaviest, if not the only large outlays, have been booked; the remaining names in our catalogue (as a glance over it will show) being introduced only at intervals.

On the Derby, the chief feature in a somewhat dull month's amount of business has been the hostile spirit displayed against Brocardo; from which, though, he is now gradually recovering. Still his enemies are ready and willing, and of the two, Iago at the figure is perhaps in better odour-we will not say demand; for if either of the Scotts claim such a term, it is brother William with Tibthorpe-a new name, that has gradually risen from 50 to 30 to 1.

Another temporary panic touching the well-doing of either Sting or his trainer, and a little work at long odds on his companion, Nutleaf, are the only other facts we need mention; while, beyond that, neither can detain us. Spithead still continues to keep his position-though, as far as last month is concerned, with a figure little more than nominal; and Malcolm finds occasional support at odds offered and taken in that rather "duberous" style which has lately characterized the question on his running versus roaring.

For the Oaks we can only make out a short list; and for the Newmarket handicap not even that.

Forty-eight nominations in the eighty-one published for the Somersetshire Stake, at Bath, have declared forfeit; while seventy-nine have been handicapped for the Northamptonshire Stake; and a hundred and sixty-one subscribers announced as the first edition of the Newmarket Triennial Stake to commence in 1850. Next to the absolute novelty of this invention, we suppose we must look to the alteration proposed by the Corporation of Doncaster as a sure sign of improvement. Here another touch of the handicap mania has broken out, the far-famed Doncaster cup having to sustain the severity of its attack. Little doubt, may be, but such a change will increase the interest on the race; although, at the same time, we feel rather inclined to regret the amendment. It is said, and truly enough, of Eclipse, that though so cried up, and so really good, he never won anything beyond a few royal purses and paltry fifty-pound plates; and of a verity we fear we may soon have the same complaint to make against the cracks of our day. Doncaster gone, and Goodwood a Brummagem handicap after all, shall we have to petition some other Illustrious Stranger to furnish us with a companion to the Emperor's Cup?

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

February 2. February 9. February 16. February 23. February 26.

THE DERBY,

Sting.

9 to 2

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors]

20

25

[ocr errors]

9 to 2

16

1 22

[ocr errors]

5 to 1

- 1

[blocks in formation]

25

30

33

[blocks in formation]

30

[blocks in formation]

Fancy Boy.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

40

50

50

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

M. W.
D. D.

5

[blocks in formation]

1W Fence Month for The Thames.r 5 38 5 morn. 5 14 5 32 2 T LEOMIN. ST. C. [CROXTON PK. R.s 6 33 6 0 34 5 53 6 14 3 F EPSOM SPRING MEETING. r 5 34 7 1 18 6 36 7 1 4 S Game certif. exp. HARROW ST.CH.S 6 37 8 Palm Sunday. Passion Week.r 5 29 9 6 M Old Lady Day. HAMPTON SP.M.'s 6 40 10 7 T WINDSOR ST.CHASES (First Day). r 5 2411 8 W ABINGDON COURS. M. WEXFORDS 6 43 12 9 T Maunday Thursday. [ST. CH. r 5 2013 10 F Good Friday. s 6 45 14

1 56 7 27 7 57 2 29 8 37 9 19 2 58 10 010 38 3 21 11 1311 46

0 15

3 44 4 8 0 39 0 57 4 29 1 16 1 33 4 49 1 51 2 8 2 24 2 42 1117 9a13 3 0 3 18 52 18 10 20 71911 23 5520 morn. 221 0 18

3 34 3 52

11 S About this time Woodcocks leaver 5 15F 12 Easter Sunday. [England. s 6 4816 rises 13 M NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING. r 5 14 T MALLOW STEEPLE CHASES. s 6 15 W Easter t. beg. CATTERICK BR. R.r 5 16 T DUBLIN GARRISON ST. CHASES. s 6 17 F About this time Barbel, Dace and 5 18 S THE HOO RACES. [Gudgeon spawns 6 5922 1 3 19 Low Sunday. FRENCH ST. CH. r 4 5823 1 43 7 19 7 53 20 M Stratford Fair. s 7 224 2 16 8 34 9 16

4 10 4 29 4 47 5 7

5 29 5 52

6 18 6 47

55 25 2 46 9 5610 35

21 T BATH RACES. TRIM ST. CHASE. r 4 22 W BURTON CONSTABLE RACES. s 7 626 3 1311 1311 48 23 T St. George. DURHAM RACES. r 4 5127 3 39 24 F Lincoln Fair.

0 14

's 7 1028 4 5

0 41 1 7

25 S St. Mark. RATHCROGAN ST. C. r 4 47 N
26 S Second Sunday after Easter.s 7 13
27 M NEWMARKET FIRST SP. MEET. r 4 43
28 T THE 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES DAY.'s 7 16
29 W Market Harborough Fair.
30 T Penkridge Fair.

[blocks in formation]

1

[blocks in formation]

2

9 25

2 55

3 14

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

BARON ROTHSCHILD'S HOUNDS AND COUNTRY.

BY CRAVEN.

From the ashes of the ornamental annuals a race of practical volumes, published at similar intervals, might profitably arise. Were any enterprising bookseller to enter upon the undertaking, he would find "A Hand-book of the Hunting Countries of Great Britain"-which should appear yearly, corrected up to the commencement of each season—a very popular work. Such a guide is greatly wanted. Why should not a man be told where to go for a good pack of hounds and a good country to follow them over, as well as where he may find the most perfect picturesque, or rely on the most correct cuisine? When, a few years ago, a series of hunting maps was given in "The Sporting Review," it was said that some masters of hounds objected against them, on the ground that they afforded strangers facilities for visiting their districts. The idea of making the chase an exclusive sport is about the most mischievous that could enter into the contemplation of any one having a hunting establishment. It is a rural amusement, wholly dependent upon popular countenance. No gentleman in England could hunt through a single season without the leave and support of his neighbours. He may buy a manor, and shoot it, or fish it, or perhaps course it, in all the sublimity of seclusion; but he can only hunt on particular sufferance, be he who he may. I am not going to defend the taste, or to canvass the loyalty, of the landed proprietor who warned the consort of the Queen from off his premises, on pain of an action for trespass: I do but refer to the fact as confirmation strong of my position. With a view to serve the cause of the noble science, as well as to afford matter for, the assistance of a weary hour, in the absence of a more regular work on the subject, I have begun, and purpose (with a blessing) to continue, these notices of the leading packs of hounds within negotiable distance of the occasional seeker of hunting. The man who adopts the chase professedly stands in need of no such aids: he has his stud at some popular rendezvous, or some point locally or socially suited to him; and thither he goes when in the vein, or there he pitches his tent during the season. These fortunati nimium, however, form the exception, and not the rule, of woodcraft. The habitués of a pack rarely constitute a tithe of its field. Hundreds of good sportsmen and true are fain to content themselves with a run, or the chance of it, when Providence vouchsafes to allow them the possibility. Some good angel begs, borrows, or steals them a holiday; and the question that instinctively suggests itself is"Where shall we hunt?" London (which is peopled with the majority of those whose circumstances, in every sense of the phrase, place them in a condition now and then to snatch a day from Mammon, to find a

« AnteriorContinuar »