Sportsmen, it will not be out of place to introduce the subject on this occasion, in order to prove that situation is evidently one of the principal causes of its appearance. These hounds are and always have been totally free from it. The kennel is situated on a strong clay. In the construction of it, there is nothing superfluous: it is just sufficient in point of convenience and accommodation for what is required, and that is all unostentatious in its appearance, it presents an example worthy of consideration. Many Masters of Hounds have expended enormous sums of money in erecting kennels replete with every convenience and even luxury, but being upon unhealthy sites, they have sunk vast sums in underlaying the pavement, and in other similar experiments, and their loss and mortification have been extreme, from the fact of the malady making its appearance as soon as the hounds have done any work. This may operate as an example and caution, by warning them to seek a sound spot rather than expend a farthing in the fallacious, hopeless anticipation of improving the condition of an unhealthy one.

On Monday, December 12, met at Copcut Elm, and proceeded to draw Hayzdor wood, where they immediately found. On attempting to go away at the upper end of the covert in the direction for Westwood Park, the fox was unfortunately headed, but was soon forced to break at the lower end, pointing towards Hunnington, across the Canal, then bearing to the left over Crowle brook to Goosehill, where he tarried but a short time; from that covert in a straight line and at a capital pace to Hanbury Park, across the Park to the turnpike road, where the varmint was viewed in difficulties. Unfortunately at this moment the hounds were pressed upon by the over-eager horsemen, forced beyond the line, and the fox, taking advantage of the check by doubling short back, saved his life.

Dec. 28.-Ombersley; without exception the largest and most aristocratic Field I ever saw assembled in a provincial country.-Found in Westwood Park, and after a sharp burst killed by the Lodge.-Drew several other coverts blank, including Shooter's wood and Bishop's wood, when we got upon the scent (or rather upon the line, for scent there was none) of a moved fox, but could do nothing with him.

Dec. 30.-Met at Witley, the splendid but as yet unoccupied seat of Lord Ward, to whom the county of Worcester are looking forward at no great date as a resident, and who will doubtless, from the great pleasure which he evinces whenever he joins in the chase, preserve a head of foxes more numerous even than during the period when the late Lord Foley was proprietor of this princely domain, and of the hounds which then hunted this country. A considerable and highly respectable Field assembled, though not so numerous as on the previous Wednesday at Ombersley; and as the morning was in appearance everything that the heart of man could desire, the tide of hope ran high in expectation of a blazing scent. That phenomenon, however, is so extremely uncertain and unaccountable, that I conceive a man must have ascended the utmost pinnacle of presumption who offers to declare an opinion upon it; and such proved to be the case in this instance. The plantations near the house, the dingles on the opposite side of the road, and several small coverts were drawn blank. On entering the thickest part of New Wood, however, a challenge was heard, nor was it repeated more than twice, when the

Gallant Master's "Have at him, good lad !" convinced us that all was quite right. Like lightning the pack flew to the cry, and in less than two minutes the varmint was viewed "as he stole along the vale," apparently pointing for the Hundred House or Habberley Hills, but was unfortunately headed at the turnpike-road, and regained the covert. He was, however, soon convinced of the necessity of quitting it, when he broke away at the upper end across the Park, the pack racing after him at a pace seldom witnessed, and at such a one that must have speedily terminated in blood, but from the inconsiderate, unfair, and fatal riding of a Gentleman from Stourport, named Barnett, who, not contented with an inglorious lead, which no one under such circumstances would think it an honor to dispute with him, actually rode close to and abreast of the leading hounds. The consequence of this unsportsmanlike conduct need scarcely be related: he rode them completely off the scent, and created a check. The scent not being by any means good, this gave the fox an opportunity of slipping through the lower end of the plantation bordering the Park, and compelled the hounds to work inch by inch, which they did beautifully, to Shrawley wood; and after hunting him for some time in the covert, a change of foxes caused the pack to divide, and necessity compelled them to return home without sanguineous honors.

In consequence of occasional frost, the unsettled state of the weather, and other circumstances beyond the control of human intervention, nothing more was done worth recording till the 10th of January. For a description of the day's sport, however, I am indebted to the kindness of a friend, for such was the state of the ground from the effects of frost on the day previous, that it appeared like an act of insanity to send a horse on twenty miles, which I must have done in order to have taken the chance of hunting on the succeeding day, when Bredon Hill was appointed as the place of meeting. A combination of troubles appeared in melancholy force to oppose the operations of the day. Grant, the Huntsman, was laid up by an attack of inflammation on his chest: the wife of Martin, the first Whip, was lying on her death-bed; and the daughter of George, the second Whip, was also dead. With these difficulties to contend against, Captain Candler appeared at the head of his gallant pack, to hunt them himself in one of the best runs that has ever been recorded in this country, which arduous office he performed most scientifically and brilliantly. The frost on the hill was considerable, and rendered the riding exceedingly dangerous: it was therefore fortunate that all the coverts were drawn blank till they reached Elmley at half-past two o'clock, by which period a great portion of the Field had returned home.-On putting the hounds into the covert at Elmley, they immediately found, and the fox broke for Battens wood, through it to Ashton gorse, Beckford, and Grafton, across the turnpike-road, on the right of Dumbleton to Alderton, by Toddington Castle to Norton, between the Park and Greet Grove coverts to Greet village, between Winchcomb and Sudeley Castle, where they ran him to ground after a splendid run of one hour and twenty minutes, covering a distance of at least thirteen miles. Being within the precincts of Lord Fitzhardinge's country, the etiquette acknowledged on such occasions forbade the propriety of digging him out.

CECIL

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

RACING INTELLIGENCE EXTRA.

THE nominations for the Newmarket Handicaps in the Spring Meetings give goodly promise, containing the names of many of the leading two-yearolds of last season, and the Stakes that closed at the commencement of 1848 have filled considerably better than in former years. The Newmarket St. Leger in the First October Meeting has eleven subscribers, and the Criterion, in the Houghton, which last year had 24, has now 37; and in the same ratio are the entries at the majority of Meetings throughout the kingdom. At Ascot, there is the New Stakes of 10 sovs. with 100 added, for two-year-olds, with 35 subscribers.-The Gratwicke Stakes at Goodwood have 65, and the Ham Stakes 52, an increase of 20 over last year.-At Doncaster, the nominations for the St. Leger 1844 closed with 111 subscribers (see page 125 of the present Number), somewhat less than for the present and two former years, but in other respects the entries for the various Stakes are much larger than on any previous occasion. In the Champagne Stakes there are 35 subscribers; the Two-year-old Stakes, 37; the Park Hill 1844, of 50 sovs. cach, for then three-year-olds, which yearly increases in importance, 35; and the Scarborough, 8.-At Liverpool July, the Mersey Stakes of 25 sovs. each, with 50 added, for two-year-olds, has 17; the Croxteth, 11; the Tradesmen's Cup or Plate, 145; the Derby Handicap, 35; the Stand Cup, 18; the Grosvenor Stakes, 11; and the Stanley, 8.At the York Spring, there are 7 for the Two-year-old Stakes of 30 sovs. each; and 5 for the Heslington Two-year-old Stakes; and in the August Meeting, 25 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added, for two-year-olds; and 5 for the 30 sovs. Sweepstakes for three-yearolds. For the Great Ebor Handicap Stakes of 20 sovs. each, with the Citizens' Purse of 200 added by the Racing Fund, to close on the 1st of March, there are at present 17 subscribers.-The Chester and Bath will be found in page 135.-On the whole, therefore, the prospects for the year are highly propitious.

Mr. Clay, of Clay Hall, Derbyshire, has changed the name of his colt 'King of Trumps," by Bizarre out of The Odd Trick, to that of "The Cock of the Walk."

The celebrated brood mare Marion died on New Year's Day. She was bred by the late Gilbert Crompton, Esq., of York, in 1819, and was own Sister to Barefoot (winner of the St. Leger 1823), by Tramp, &c. She was the dam of Robin Hood, Honest John, Napier, and other capital

runners.

THE CHASE.

It is understood that J. C. Musters, Esq. purposes giving up the South Wold country at the conclusion of the present season.

On the 6th of January, the Gentlemen of the Meynell Hunt entertained Hugo Meynell Ingram, Esq. at dinner at the King's Head Hotel, Derby, Edward Miller Mundy, Esq., M. P., in the chair; on which occasion a splendid piece of plate was presented to him in testimony of the esteem and respect in which he is held by the Members of the Hunt, and as an acknowledgment of the spirit and liberality with which he has for eight years hunted the Hoar Cross country (a Map of which was given in our last Number). The subject of the plate is the "Earth Stopper," consisting of several figures exquisitely modelled-an old man, armed with his spade and lantern, and accompanied by two terriers and his pony; in the centre an old oaktree, taken, as said, from one existing in the Forest near the Kennels-the

whole forming a beautiful_group in admirable keeping with the design it was intended to represent. On the removal of the cloth, the plate was introduced, and the Chairman presented it to their honored guest in a short and elegant address, to which Mr. Meynell Ingram replied in an appropriate and feeling manner. It is due to Mr. Cotterill to say, this novel piece of workmanship was modelled by him, and was duly appreciated by the Subscribers as an exquisite specimen of art.

Owing to the death of the Countess of Howth, His Lordship has disposed of his hounds to the Officers of the Dublin Garrison, by a Committee of whom and some Members of the Kildare Street Club they are at present managed. The Noble Earl's stud was submitted to the hammer at Dycer's Repository, but, the biddings being slack, all the most valuable were bought in.

FRACAS IN THE CHESHIRE HUNT.

We regret to say that a serious fracas occurred in his Hunt on the 28th of December at Somerford Park, the seat of Sir Charles Shakerley, the fixture for the day. A numerous Field assembled, and among them Mr. T. W. J. Swettenham, of Swettenham Hall, a distinguished Member of the Hunt, who, however, on presenting himself at the Park-gate was refused admittance by the Park-keepers. The hounds shortly threw off, and the Park having been drawn blank, they went away towards Davonport Hall. Two foxes here broke covert: the one which the hounds followed took the direction of Somerford, but was lost, and, being at fault, it was resolved again to try the coverts in the Park, which Mr. Swettenham entered with the general body of his brother Sportsmen, when Sir Charles immediately rode up to him, and intimated that his presence was not desired, adding his determination, if Mr. Swettenham did not quit the Park, to put him out. To this Mr. Swettenham replied that he came there as a Member of the Hunt. Sir Charles repeated his demand, on which Mr. Swettenham advanced, and, raising his hunting-whip, applied it smartly on the person of Sir Charles, who retaliated, repeating his mandate to quit, which Mr. Swettenham again refused. After the exchange of a few words, however, Mr. Swettenham rode off, and Sir Charles followed the hounds.

A hostile meeting being anticipated by their friends, an application was made to Mr. Ford, of Abbey Fields, a County Magistrate, for his interference to prevent such an event, and warrants were issued against both. At day-break on Saturday morning, Mr. Swettenham's carriage was stopped near Somerford Park, and was found to contain that Gentleman and his second, who were proceeding to Brereton Heath, the place appointed for the duel. Mr. Swettenham, with some reluctance, yielded to the authority of the law, and on being taken before Mr. Ford, was compelled to enter into bail, himself in 10007., and two sureties in 5007. cach, to keep the peace. Two other officers then proceeded to Brereton Heath, and Sir Charles and his friend underwent a similar process-the bail in both cases being the surgeons whose attendance had been requested by their respective friends in the event of their professional services being required.

The seconds, Mr. Stubbs Wightwick, of Capel Court, Cheltenham, and Mr. Edmund Tipping, of Davonport Hall, about two miles from Swettenham Hall, not satisfied with the termination of the "affair," had a meeting at three in the afternoon of the same day, when it was arranged that unless Mr. Wightwick heard from Mr. Tipping before eleven o'clock, the parties should proceed to Calais on the Wednesday following. In the course of a few hours, Mr. Tipping waited on Mr. Wightwick, with an ample written apology from Mr. Swettenham, to the effect, that he was in error by resenting in the manner he did the public affront he considered had been put on him by his exclusion as a Sportsman from Somerford Park, announced for the meeting of the hounds, and expressing his sincere regret that he was induced by this irritated feelings to insult Sir Charles Shakerley, and to

commit an act which his cooler judgment entirely disapproved-adding, that he meant to have made this acknowledgment at the proper time if the meeting had not been frustrated by the interference of the police.—And here the "affair" terminated.

Fine Arts.

THE WATERLOO PICTURE.

An engraving of this magnificent painting has reached us from Messrs. Agnew, of Manchester, who from their recent publications are entitled to take high rank in their department of the Fine Arts. The painting, it is well known, presents the portraits of nearly seventy Gentlemen who usually patronise sport with the long dogs at Altcar, and this season additional interest was excited by the presence of some of our first-rate coursers from North Britain. The engraving is exceedingly fine, and particular care appears to have been taken with the portraiture and such other parts that combine to give finish and effect. There is decidedly a good deal of individual character in it, the best recommendation it could possess, and at the same time the most satisfactory guarantee for the publishers' expense, that we doubt not will meet a generous return.

HIPPOPATHOLOGY.-LONGMAN.

The third volume of Mr. Percevall's work commences with the diseases of the brain and nerves, and of the eyes. The injuries these organs are severally liable to, and the bodily affections arising from them, are treated in the same easy and scientific manner that we have noticed in earlier portions of the work. Indeed the reading and observation displayed by Mr. Percevall in his treatises on the various subjects of his undertaking, increase, if possible, his fame, and give his work a medical rank that the Veterinary Science may be proud of.

Stud Sales.

On the 30th of December, the announced sale of the stud of the late G. Clark, Esq., of Barnby Moor, drew together a large attendance of Sportsmen at the Windmill Inn, without Micklebar Gate, York. Messrs. Tattersall officiated on the occasion, and the following were the prices realised:

Baronet, a grey colt, 3 yrs, by Hampton, dam by Cervantes, 409gs.
Master Thomas, a bay colt, 3 yrs, by Tomboy out of Mamsel Otz, 110gs.

Lord of Holderness, 3 yrs, by Velocipede, 36gs.

Ameine, a bay filly, 2 yrs, by Bay Middleton, dam by Whisker, 44gs.

Sir Benjamin, a bay gelding, 2 yrs, by Physician, dam by Bustard, 50gs.

The Era, a bay colt, 2 yrs, by Plenipotentiary out of Sister to Memnon, 390gs.

Abernethy, 2 yrs, by Physician, dam by Muley, 120gs.

Philip, 2 yrs, by Jereed, dam by Catton out of Green Mantle's dam, 370gs.-purchased by Mr. George Holmes, and since sold to Mr. T. Dawson, of Middleham, for 450gs.

YEARLINGS.

Brown Bess, by Muley Moloch out of Imogene's dam, 29gs.
Theriacus, a brown colt, by Emilius out of Lollypop, 250gs.
Vates, a ches. colt, by Plenipotentiary out of Era's dam, 255gs.

Chesnut gelding, by D'Egville, dam by Velocipede, 52gs.

BROOD MARES.

Brown, by Whisker, dam by Walton, covered by Hetman Platoff (horse untried), 76gs.

Bay (Philip's dam), by Catton out of Green Mantle's dam, &c.; covered by The Shah (horse untried), 110gs.

Bay (Era's dam), own Sister to Memnon, by Whisker; covered by The Shah, 30gs. Chapeau de Paille, Sister to Camarine's dam, &c.; covered by Hetman Platoff (horse untried), 31gs.

Brown, by Ishmael out of Arachne; covered by Hetman Platoff (horse untried), 63gw,