pears, is the perfection of fly-fishing. So many authors have written copiously upon the subject of this interesting art, that it would be superfluous on our part to add more than a few passing remarks upon it. Izaak Walton, so justly designated the "father of anglers," has immortalized the sport by his standard work, "The Complete Angler." All subsequent authors refer to him as their oracle, whilst many thousands of British subjects have derived consolation, amusement, and instruction from those pages. An anecdote has been told by the late Lord Rivers, of an eminent and distinguished statesman, Charles James Fox, who, speaking of solitude, in the strictest sense of the word, remarked, "Should it ever be my fate to be cut off from all intercourse with society, my actual wants would, by inevitable consequence, be comprised within a narrow compass: there are, however, two books, which, if possessed of, would fill up the measure of my wishes, and those are--the Bible and Walton's Angler." His lordship was himself an ardent admirer of Izaak Walton, and had an edition of his work, elegantly bound in green morocco, in antique style, the covers ornamented with medals, in bronze, of old Izaak and his disciple, Charles Cotton. The most popular modern authors who have written upon the subject are Salter, Hofland, and Ephemera; and to whom we cannot do better than refer every admirer of the sport, for information on the various branches of fishing.

The game of golf, although very popular in Scotland, is little known in the southern districts of England. It is more a winter than summer game; and although frequently played on the turf and sands, is more generally practised on the ice. The amusement is not laborious, but is very healthy and exciting. The club, which is the chief engine or weapon used in the play, is from three to four feet in length, according to the height and length of arm of the player: the upper or handle part is bound round similarly to a cricket-bat: the head of the club is generally loaded with lead. The ball used in the play is made of leather, and stuffed with feathers: it is much smaller than a cricket-ball. The principal art of the player is to drive the ball into one or other of the holes made at each angle of the ground, with fewest strokes; each hole being a quarter of a mile distant from the other. Two balls only are used; but the game may be played by any number of persons, on equal sides, one of each party striking in turn; but if the last striker fails to drive his ball so far on as that of his opponent, one of his party must then strike one, and sometimes two, more: and thus the game is marked by calling out the number, and the person who puts the ball into the hole at the fewest strokes wins the game. If more than two persons are playing, the same is not allowed to strike the ball twice in succession; and a miss is reckoned as one to their adversaries.

Boat-racing may justly be termed a modern sport; for it is only within the last few years that perfection in the art of rowing can be said to have been attained. It may be a very easy task to row an ordinary boat, in either smooth or rough water, and with swiftness and dexterity too; but to row as the Cambridge and Oxford eights, or as Coombes, Kelly, or Clasper, requires much skill, toil, and training, and many years' practice. Those who have never seen the rowing

matches on the Thames, the Cam, or the Isis, have yet a pleasure to witness, which, if they be admirers of English sports, will not fail to make a lasting impression on their minds. The boats used in these celebrated matches can only be managed in safety by those accustomed to them: the slightest swerve on either side will capsize them, so fine and delicately are they constructed. Those used for one person only are frequently made by hollowing out a spar; and thus the lightest possible little craft is made, but of very great length and speed. A light iron skeleton rowlock is attached firmly on each side, and raised several inches higher than the sides of the boat, whereby long oars and great power may be employed by the rower.

Yachting has also become an exceedingly popular amusement; and, indeed, there is none more healthy and pleasing; but it can only be indulged in extensively by the wealthy. For centuries past, yachting has been a favourite recreation of nobles; but never was there so numerous a fleet of yachts as now. We read of the yacht that was built, in centuries past, for Ptolemy Philopater, king of Egypt, for sailing up and down the Nile, and called "the bedchamber ship," and wonder what that costly fabric could be like, with her immense conveniences and magnificent apartments. Not less wonderful was the yacht built for Hiero, king of Syracuse, who delighted in conceiving vast designs, and possessed a peculiar taste for naval architecture. This ancient floating edifice was built under the direction of the celebrated mathematician, Archimedes, by a ship-builder at Corinth; and the wood was cut from Mount Etna. The floors of this remarkable vessel were paved with small and curious tiles, on which was depicted the whole story of Homer's Iliad with wonderful art. At the highest entrance was a gymnasium, or exercising school, containing gardens pianted with all kinds of shrubs, to which water was supplied by conduits of lead and tile-work. The walks through these were overshadowed by ivy and vine-branches, the roots of which received nourishment from moistened earth, irrigated by the same leaden canals. Near this was the dining-room of Venus, paved with agates and other precious gems; the walls and roof were of cypress, the doors of ivory and thyia wood. Near to this was the library, its doors and walls being of box; the ceiling having the appearance of the sky by night, with the constellations embossed upon it. There was a bathing-room also, with three brass baths; and another of Tauromenian stone, holding forty gallons. What would yachtsmen of the present day say to such costly magnificence? But comforts and conveniences are now too much sacrificed to speed; and it is only in yachts of large tonnage that Englishmen may expect to enjoy the otium cum dig.

Having now briefly touched upon the leading sports of our country, both ancient and modern-although we confess with much sincerity, we fear, in some instances, our historical description is somewhat defective-it only remains for us to add a few words upon the country gentleman; whom, of all her Majesty's liege subjects, appears to lead the most natural, the easiest, and the pleasantest life. He is the envy of thousands of wealthy citizens, lawyers, barristers, and other professional men. Servants, horses, and dogs are all at his command. We respect the country gentleman who knows his position, and maintains it with that liberal-minded spirit and good sense whereby he becomes a

favourite in his parish, is respected by his tenantry, and beloved by his neighbours. Some country gentlemen, however, are the very reverse of this, and are most eccentric in their habits. We have heard a whimsical anecdote of the late Marquis of Winchester, who probably had no deeper scheme in his plan of life than to gratify his own unaccountable caprice by endeavouring to persuade people that he was mad, though he acted upon principles of great human prudence. Passing one day through Yorkshire, on his way to London, he was observed to have four coaches and a hundred horses in his retinue, and stayed ten days in that county at a house he hired there for that short period only. His custom was to dine at six or seven in the evening; and his meal always lasted until six or seven next morning, during which he ate and drank at intervals. Sometimes he listened to music, or fell into discourse with his friends, whilst his company had free choice to sit or rise, go or come, sleep in their chairs, smoke or drink. The dishes and bottles were left before them all the time. And when morning dawned, he would hunt or hawk, if the weather was fair; and if not, he would dance, go to bed at eleven, and repose himself till evening. Notwithstanding this whimsical irregularity, he is said to have been a man of good sense; and although some supposed him mad, it is rather to be inferred that his motive was to keep himself out of the way of more serious censure in those ticklish days, and preserve his estate; of which he took great care.

It is but a few years ago since stage-coach driving by gentlemen of fortune used to be considered a sort of sporting accomplishment. There are many travellers living who remember those days, and will bear us out by adding "Yes! and I've tipped them many a bob as a coachman's fee; and they, in return, politely used to tip their beaver, and add a Thank'ee sir!'" But steam-engines have now so completely outrun the stage-coaches, that tales of travel by such vehicles will, in a few years, become as scarce as gentlemen-coachmen; although many of those tales are exceedingly amusing, and well worth remembering. By way of suiting the action to the word, or rather the time present to our purpose, we record an anecdote told us a few years ago of a gentleman travelling from London by an Essex stage-coach. Two passengers set out from the Bull Inn, Aldgate, early on a December morning, long before daylight; and one of them not feeling at all sleepy, but wishing to make the journey as agreeable as possible, endeavoured, in the usual travelling mode, to stimulate his neighbour to enter into conversation. He therefore, at appropriate intervals, remarked-"A very dark morning, sir!" "Shocking cold weather for travelling, sir!" "Slow going in these heavy roads, sir!" None of which remarks receiving a word in reply, the sociable traveller made one more effort. He stretched out his hand, and feeling the other's habit, exclaimed— "What a comfortable coat you have for travelling, sir!" No answer was made, and the inquirer, tired of talking to his speechless companion, fell into a sound sleep; nor awoke until the bright rays of a winter's sun accounted to him for the taciturnity of his comrade, by unfolding to his astonished gaze a large bear, muzzled and confined, in a sitting posture.

With this anecdote we must close our subject; and will only add that all writers agree in the importance of encouraging national sports

as entirely consonant with the habits of Englishmen, and both in an educational and political point of view their influence has always been acknowledged. They are often a safeguard against the vicious allurements of large towns, and the dissipations of youth. When the Athenians saw themselves raised above the other Grecian states, they gave up their out-door exercises, and became degenerate. Cicero says of them" They prided themselves more upon a victory at their games than did the Romans at a triumph;"* but when they relinquished such pursuits, their love of fame and glory was supplanted by a love of ease and voluptuousness, and they fell to rise no more. It was precisely the same with Rome; for her ancient greatness and noble spirit, that conquered the world, fell on the decline of her manly character. Let the State, therefore, watch over and encourage the national sports of Old England; for such are of more importance than the majority of legisla tors are disposed to imagine.

THE ALBRIGHTON

HUNT.

TO THE EDITOR.

In your last number, your correspondent "Charnwood" sent you some observations as to the future prospects of the Quorn hounds, now under the management of the Earl of Stamford, and whose zeal and liberality while master of the Albrighton hounds for several years past, at different periods, are universally admitted, and too well known to require further comment. The circumstances which induced his Lordship to give up the Albrighton hounds last year, kept entirely at his own expense (except coverts, poultry, and keepers' money, which were paid by the committee), it is not necessary to refer to; but, judging from past experience in that hunt, as far as personal kindness, anxiety to produce sport, and a total indifference to expense in accomplishing that end is concerned, the future prospects of the Quorn hounds under his Lordship's management may be confidently looked forward to, with a full assurance of success, and that even the palmy days of the late Sir Richard Sutton will be again renewed, if they cannot be surpassed. With such a prospect to the members of the Quorn Hunt, of which his Lordship is now the master, may I venture to state the "look-out" which awaits the Albrighton Hunt he has so recently left?

Through the indefatigable exertions of that most excellent secretary, William Grazebrook, Esq., assisted by a few other individuals, a fresh subscription has been set on foot (a more difficult thing to revive than to keep afloat), and a sufficient amount obtained to enable this pack to hunt three days a week as heretofore, the earth-stopping, keepers,

* "Gloriosior erat illos vicisse, quàm apud nos triumphasse."

and damage money being paid by the committee; and the new master, Orlando Stubbs, Esq., satisfied as to the other expenses of "carrying on the war," with the aid of several members of the hunt, who are, as heretofore, anxious that the country should be thoroughly and regularly hunted. Nor must I omit to mention the liberality of the late master in aiding the new establishment, by his Lordship most kindly giving twenty-two couple of good working hounds towards forming the new pack, which, together with Mr. Stubbs's own hounds from Herefordshire, and some other additions, are likely to form a very substantial and effective pack. Of Mr. Stubbs as a master, and who hunts his own hounds, I am unable to speak from personal observation before the present season; but, as far as zeal, a light weight, and a bold and excellent rider are necessary, few can surpass him. For many seasons he whipped-in to his late father, Frederick Stubbs, Esq., while master of the Ludlow hounds, who also hunted his own hounds, and was considered a first-rate sportsman. During the last season Mr. 0. Stubbs had the mastership of the Herefordshire hounds; but not finding the subscription sufficient to continue them on, he was prevailed upon to take the Albrighton country, on terms which it is believed are perfectly satisfactory to all parties, the hounds being kept at the latelybuilt and somewhat unnecessarily-expensive Albrighton kennels, which, being placed in a central situation, although the country hunted is very long, reaching from the north of Staffordshire into Worcestershire, a distance of thirty miles or more, will not require the hounds and men to sleep out but very seldom; and when on the Enville side, through Lord Stamford's further kindness in allowing them the use of his kennels at Enville, it will tend still more to save expense and long travelling homewards after hunting. As yet, Mr. Stubbs has not been very successful in cub-hunting, or at least in killing, though he has had some good runs with old foxes, having already killed several; but fortunately the show of cubs, in the Shiffnal country especially, is very promising, if not quite so good in other parts of the hunt; and I feel much pleasure in stating that a renewed zeal appears to be established in the preservation of foxes and support of these hounds. And if the really kind and judicious advice of your correspondent "Charnwood," at the conclusion of his communication, be but followed out, and farmers, keepers, rabbit-catchers, and others-on whom chiefly depend the preservation of foxes, and the consequent very great and bountiful expenditure which is annually caused by keeping foxhounds in the country-will also do their best to retain this benefit, and not by destroying foxes, and thereby putting an end to fox-hunting, be "penny wise and pound foolish," all will go well as a marriage bell with the old Albrighton hounds, and I trust with other packs likewise.

October, 1856.

A SALOPIAN.

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