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much care is taken by the lessee to cater for the public appetite, that we prognosticate for it a long career of prosperity. By-the-by-Is General Tom Thumb more than ten months old? and does he make philosophical reflections on his own size, on human nature, and the plaything of circumstances that it is? We did; for the evening we first saw him, the Ojibbeway Indians favoured this theatre with their presence in the stage-box, to view themselves represented in the amusing adventures of "Bounce," and we certainly never saw together a more curious collection of rarities. Assuming Tom Thumb to be an animate thing, and these Indians, when stripped of rings and feathers and war-like furbelows, to be really men, and not enormous lizards, we have nous autres of the north to be satisfied with our inches and our climate. We recommend frequent visits to the Princess's, to those of our readers whose temper is saturnine, and whose constitution is hypochondriacal; for mirth and music there divide the hours. Who could be dissatisfied at the Princess's Theatre?

The ADELPHI is nightly filled on the strength of the only "permitted" version of the "Christmas Carol;" and of the company, Wright is capital in it, and does as much for the burlesque of "Richard the Third," as can be done for it. Miss Woolgar improves in ease of acting very manifestly. She is a promising actress and a fine woman. The "Bohemian Girl" still draws at DRURY LANE; but then it is followed by the prettiest ballet, danced by the nicest dancers with the most graceful figures imaginable. The ballet has a moral, too, so that those sinners who do stay after twelve on Saturday night to hear its conclusion, may learn the opposite effects of vice and virtue, even while committing the involuntary indecorum. Nevertheless, we think it the stage-manager's duty to see that the tedious interval between the acts should be shortened, and the play terminated before midnight. Surely a great portion of the first and second acts of the "Bohemian Girl," might be curtailed with advantage, at least on Saturday nights. The poses of Mademoiselle Fleurry as Diane Chasseresse were eminently classic; the pas seul of Clara Webster, delicious. La petit Stephan is a charmingly sprightly figurante. The "Flemish Fair," a study after Teniers, is one of the happy hits of this ballet; that, and the dancing, and the plot, and the beautiful scenery, all accord well together, and make the whole affair quite utopian.

COURSING.

BY C. N. p.

The numerous and increasing lovers of the leash have had every reason to be satisfied with this season's sport; such sport, indeed, has been enjoyed, that breeders of greyhounds, in all parts of

the country, concur in declaring the invigorating sport of coursing to be anything but on the wane. Right glad are we in being enabled to witness such a satisfactory state of affairs, and we earnestly hope that the healthy pastime may continue to progress; for, without a doubt, as it rapidly increases, good-will and fellowship are thereby engendered.

Of the eclat with which the great southern and northern meetings were attended, it is unnecessary at these presents to dwell upon, as every one, by this time, is perfectly conversant with the several distinctive features of those attractive re-unions. It is our present purpose to treat of the performances of a coursing club, the meetings of which are held not many miles from the busy metropolis. When we mention Richmond to be the locality in question, we can well fancy it next to impossible for imagination to picture a lovelier or more picturesque spot

"Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn."

On Thursday, the 15th ultimo, the last meeting this season of the "Old Deer Park Coursing Club" took place in the spacious park adjoining Kew Gardens. This club is honoured with the patronage of W. T. Aiton, Esq., and classes amongst its members some names well known in the coursing world. Mr. Atwood performs the duties of secretary to the entire satisfaction of the club; and it affords us great pleasure in bearing testimony to the excellency and completeness of the general arrangements.

We would not, by any means, be guilty of so un-English a custom of refraining to make comment on the weather upon this occasion; and in good terms, too, can we speak of the geniality of the elements, the day being particularly fine. The attendance was both numerous and good, including many well-known breeders of greyhounds, most of whom were on the qui vive for the exciting events of the day. Paucity of sport was a complaint that could not-certainly with any degree of truth-be urged upon this occasion, for there were hares in abundance; upwards of a score the dogs put an end to.

The prizes were "The Ladies' Cup," value twenty guineas, and “A Cup," for the second dog, value five guineas. Eleven was the time announced for the commencement, but which was not adhered to precisely. The hour mentioned is not long gone by, when

foresters, in greenwood trim,

Lead in the leash the gaze-hounds grim."

Mr. Chandler's Empress against Mr. W. Atwood's Kitty. These two are now slipped. Forward they go in gallant style, they take their turns; it is pretty soon evident that Empress must be the conquering heroine; now poor puss breathes her last, and Empressthe white bitch--is declared the victor.

The next succeeds-Mr. Messenger's Ruth against Mr. Rowland's Pluto, which, after some spirited running, terminated in the black dog's favour.

Then ensued the course between Mr. Hodsdon's Beauty and Mr. Chitty's Crook, which was won by the bitch.

Now Troilus (belonging to Mr. Scard) is pitted against Dr. Sweeny's Vespa; the former is soon beaten by the good play on the part of the bitch.

Mr. Hare's Rockett is opposed to Mr. Williams's Sambo; but "massa" stands no chance with the fiery hound, who did, indeed, go off like a rocket-for, of a real truth, she did go off into the hare.

Now the contention lay between Sir G. Quentin's Venus and Mr. Rigge's Belle. No less than six hares were started. When the greyhounds got properly into running, Mr. Rigge's bitch contrived to give the most turns, and eventually succeeded in bearing off the belle.

Mr. Charrington's Coquette against Mr. R. Atwood's Victor. In this course, the order of things became reversed, for Coquette proved to be the victor.

Next ensued the course between Mr. Jupp's January, and Mr. Turton's Vulcan. The former proved to be the possessor of too great power for the rude forger, who was very soon defeated.

Now Empress had once more to enter the field to run against Pluto, and nobly did the white bitch achieve another victory.

There was now some first-rate running on the part of Vespa and Beauty, the former winning.

After this, Rockett and Belle made their second appearance. The first course was an undecided one, the greyhounds having run after more than one hare. In the second course, Rockett was beaten by Belle.

January and Coquette were then slipped, when they ran an undecided course. The second course, which was uncommonly well run, was won by January.

The next course was run by Empress and Vespa, and, after a good course, was won by the latter.

An undecided course was then run by January and Belle. The next was an excellent course; the turns being numerous, and the running fast. Belle experienced anything but a pleasant fall, which was the cause of her opponent gaining many advantages. At last, to the surprise of the majority present, the decision was given in favour of January.

Breathing time was now allowed January to prepare for the final contest for the cup. Expectation was upon tip-toe; universal interest was excited by the forthcoming trial. Betting was carried on very briskly; Vespa had the advantage, the odds being two to one in her favour. At last, preparations being completed, and everything being in order, the slips were loosened, and

"Fast, fast they fled, away, away!"

Puss runs for her life, the greyhounds fast pursue her; they gain upon her; Vespa, being swiftest of foot, gives a turn; now another "another and another still succeed;" January mends her pace, but still Vespa is a-head. Puss is again worried; now she tries all her powers to gain a retreat; but "all is lost;" her end is fast approaching; her last moments are at hand. Il n'est si grand jour qui ne vienne a vespre. All is over, and Vespa is declared to be the

winner of the cup. The fortunate owner, Dr. Sweeny, with prize in hand, rides up to a carriage full of ladies, to whom he politely hands for their inspection his lately acquired reward. The commendations of the fair are as honey to the owner of Vespa. And now the curtain drops, every one is at this period busily intent upon taken his departure from that scene where he has enjoyed a hearty day's sport, and in the plenitude of his satisfaction, hesitates not to agree with the witty, the accomplished, and the fun propelling Lever, in thinking that this is by far a more agreeable manner of spending time, than

"To live at home

And never roam;

To pass the day in sighing:
To wear sad looks,
Read stupid books,

And look half dead, or dying;

Not show your face,

Nor join the chase;

But dwell a hermit always-"

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

It would be no ways consistent with the space we usually devote to this summary, to attempt to enter into the Parliamentary proceedings now pending about the threatened qui tam actions, and the laws of gaming in general; next month, however, we may in another part of the magazine fully consider this important subject; in the mean time, we congratulate the friends of the turf on the manner in which it has been taken up by the Government, and let the matter end how it will, what amendments in the old laws, or what new be passed, they must, we think, be conducive more or less to the prosperity of racing. The following are the names of the noblemen and gentlemen, who had been honoured with the particular attention of the Messrs. Russell, previous to the Duke of Richmond standing forth as their champion:-The Earl of Eglinton, Lord George Bentinck, Colonel Anson, Colonel Peel, Messrs. Greville, Greatorex, Bowes, H. Hill, J. Bayley, A. H. Bailey, W. Crockford, J. Gully, P. Cloves, H. Justice, W. H. Gregory.

The new betting room at Newmarket will be fifty feet by twenty feet, of ample height and well ventilated; it is progressing under the superintendence of Mr. Clarke, Jun., and will be completed by Easter.

Her Majesty has been pleased to grant all such persons as now or may hereafter hold certificates of qualification from the Veterinary College of Edinburgh, a Royal Charter of Incorporation, that they may henceforth be one body, politic and corporate, by the name and title of "The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons."

The Duke of Richmond has sold Eaglesfield, the winner of the Great Four-year-old Stake last season at Goodwood, for £400; he is

intended as another addition to the German Turf; and Palinurus, by Sheet Anchor, has started for Ireland, having lately been purchased by Mr. Hatch, as a stallion.

Lord Denman, in the early part of last month, gave the judgment of the Court, on the action brought by Lord George Bentinck against Mr. Connop (late of the Hippodrome), for the recovery of £150, the stakes for nominations of the defendant, in the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, which was won by a horse the property of the plaintiff. The Court decided by the 16th of Charles the Second, that as the amount claimed exceeded £100, judgment must be entered up for the defendant; though had the stake been paid down on or before the day of winning, the transaction would have been a legal one. This is not exactly an agreeable piece of information for such winners of produce and other stakes, who have not been able to collect all that the sons of the turf, if not of the land, declare [them entitled to.

A new stake is announced for the ensuing Eglinton Park Races, called "The Hydropathic," for hunters; in which it is a condition that the brook in the steeple-chase course shall be jumped immediately before running-the gentlemen jockeys up. This will be followed by the Curraghmore cup, when a four foot wall has to be disposed of in a similar manner. It may be seen, from this, that all hunters travelling north must be hunters, and not race-horses nicknamed for a certain time and a certain purpose.

A very brilliant acceptance for the Chester cup (fifty-five remaining in out of ninety-four nominations) has been followed by some tolerably brisk though not decidedly heavy betting on it. In the early part of February, Cattonite, mainly from the support of his owner, forced Sir Robert to resign his premiership, but has since in turn vacated; he still, however, stands high, and his backers may rely on all that good judgment and fair play can do, being used to his advantage. The weight of what has been done is confined to the four or five first on our list, whose backers are always ready and willing to accept anything like the odds quoted; while the outsiders, of the thirty and forty to one class, find but few admirers, and these by no means strong in their investments.

Speculation on the Derby has been very animated, and "the ups and downs" of no slight importance to those who make it their chief business to watch them. The Ugly Buck, with now and then a stake, is, as before, in advance of Rattan, but both in high favour; as was Leander in the beginning of the month, when, for a short period, he was third on the list, a position at present denied him; the evident desire of the party to back his companion, Foigh a Ballagh, naturally not assisting in his advancement. The disputed post is now claimed by Orlando, who, without any rush, has been gradually progressing. Cockamaroo is also coming on heavily, and Loadstone after a fortnight's banishment" once again." The question as to Running Rein's age has, through the instrumentality of another veterinary, been revived, and, of course, had the effect of throwing him back, a consummation whether desired by his friends or not we cannot say. Nell Gwynne colt is now called Falconer.

The

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