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the Ditch Mile, seven subscribers. This handsome sum was won by that spirited sportsman, Mr. George Payne, whose Vattel (Vat colt), ridden by Flatman, beat Robinia, Panther, the Emma colt, and the colt out of Tigress. The colts carried 8st. 71b., and the fillies 8st. 3lb. So well had the palace stable tried Robinia, that 2 to 1 was readily taken; while 5 to 2 was betted against Vattel, who won very cleverly. Mr. Payne has sported a good deal of money on this colt for the Derby; and if anything goes amiss with Ratan, I can only say-despite the report about his "leg"-that I think him the next best of the Newmarket lot. I am inclined to think that Robinia will run well for the Oaks. In the match for 200 sovs., h. ft., Ditch Mile, the Earl of Glasgow's filly, by Retainer, out of Purity, three years, 7st. (Pettit), beat, by a head, Mr. Payne's Mania, four years, 8st. 131b. (Flatman), after one of the most slashing races ever witnessed. Betting, 5 to 4 on the loser.

A Fifty Pound Subscription Plate, for three-year-olds and upwards, over the Two-year-old Course, was won quite in a canter by the Duke of Bedford's Oakley, six years, 9st. 2lb. (Robinson)-beating Cowslip, four years, 8st. 71b., and the wretched Master Henry, three years, 7st. As long as any one would take 3 to 1, it was betted on the winner against the field.

There was an apathy to do business on "things to come" during the day, and, with the exception of a party offering "thousands to fifteens against Vattel, we heard of no other change worthy of record. The Ugly Buck and Ratan were in force at 3 to 1 each.

THURSDAY.-In the morning Mr. Pettit's horses were sold, at rather low prices; and a lot of that famed and respected gallant sportsman, General Grosvenor, was put up; but, I believe, only one was sold. A few offers on the Derby, but nothing like active business afloat. Ratan and the Ugly Buck would have been backed at 4 to 1 each, but no such odds could be obtained, notwithstanding all the" evil reports" in circulation to the disadvantage of either. The Bee was inquired after for the Oaks, but no one was stung. We got but a short day's sport to-day-only three races and a walk over. The first event was one of consequence-viz., a sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds, the Ditch Mile. The race was most severely contested, and won by as fine riding as I have ever seen on the part of young Whitehouse, who landed Lord Albemarle's Delapre, 7st. 7lb., at least a head of Mr. Berrington's Father Mathew, 6st. 121b. The betting was nearly even, and a large sum was invested. This performance of Delapre makes Ratan's running exceedingly first-rate, he having beaten Delapre quite in a canter on Monday. Immediately after this race 7 to 2 was taken freely about Ratan. The Subscription Plate of Fifty Pounds, the Ditch Mile, was won very cleverly by the Duke of Grafton's Cataract, four years, 8st. 71b., beating Czar, four years, 8st. 71b., colt by Slane, out of Jason's dam, three years, 6st. 12lb., and four others. Young John Day rode the winner. The betting was 2 to 1 against the colt out of Jason's dam, 4 to 1 against Czar, and the winner's " name was never heard" in the ring. Many know, to their cost, that Cataract was a rattling favourite for the last Derby. A rich Sweepstakes of 100 sovs.

each, h. ft., Ditch Mile, went into Colonel Peel's coffers, through the exertion of Orlando, who, at 8st. 4lb. (Flatman), beat, as easy as you like, the Duke of Portland's filly by Beiram, out of Manto, 8st. 4lb. Betting, 4 and 5 to 1 on Orlando, who, immediately after, walked over for another handsome sum-namely, a sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., six subscribers. Notwithstanding all these great victories, the betting men offered, "open-mouthed," 30 to 1 against Orlando for the Epsom event!

The principal betting in the evening was on the Port Stakes, for which race Lothario and Phlegon were the favourites, at about 5 to 2 against each. On the Derby, Ratan was backed at 7 to 2, and the same odds offered against the Ugly Buck. Leander was in much request, but his party could not "get on" to their wishes.

FRIDAY.-Like most "last days" at Newmarket, this was the busiest one of the meeting. The betting was extremely animated, and a considerable sum changed hands on the Port Stakes, which was the best of the kind known for many years. The other running was of a first-rate character; and, altogether, I must state, that I enjoyed a very pleasant meeting, without loss to that best of all friends, the "pocket.

The Duke of Bedford had two matches, both of which he won; namely, the Duke of Bedford's Minotaur, 4 years, 9st. 5lb. (Robinson), beat Mr. Payne's Audrey, three years, 7st. 5lb., over the Twoyear-old Course for 150 sovs. h. ft., won in a canter by a length. Then his Grace's Espoir, 8st. 7lb. (Robinson), beat the Marquis of Exeter's Pergularia, 7st. 12lb., over the same course, for 200 sovs. each. Captain Rous matches well for the palace stable.

A Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 10 ft., for all ages, was run over the Two-year-old Course, and won by Colonel Peel's Garry Owen, aged, 8st. 13lb., beating his stable companion, Canton, four years, 7st. 13lb.; Mocha, three years, 5st. 10lb., sister to Corranna, four years, 7st. 3lb. ; and Birdeen, four years, 6st. 10lb. Garry Owen won very cleverly by a length, ridden nicely by Flatman. The betting, 6 to 5 against Garry Owen, 7 to 2 against Mocha, 4 to 1 against Canton, and 5 to 1 against sister to Corranna. Colonel Peel and his trainer study speed too much; the gallant Colonel in his breeding, and Cooper in training.

The Port Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for four-year-olds, colts 8st. 7lb., and fillies 8st. 4lb. There were nine horses down on the day of entry, but five only came forward at the call of time, when, after a most delightful race upon the Two-middle-miles, the Duke of Richmond's Lothario, ridden by Sam Rogers, was declared the victor by not more than a head, from the Marquis of Exeter's Phlegon; Gaper was ten lengths behind Phlegon, and Fakeaway and Murat beaten to their "hearts' content" a long way from home. The last betting was 2 to 1 against Phlegon (taken), 9 to 4 against Lothario, 9 to 2 against Gaper, 5 to 1 against Murat, and 6 to 1 against Fakeaway. The Goodwood training did the business. I have a notion that this said Lothario will make a pretty considerable noise in the racing world, during the season, amongst the Cups and Plates.

A splendid match for 100 sovs. was run over the Ditch In course, and won most gallantly by Mr. Thornhill's Extempore, four years, 7st. 12lb. (F. Butler), beating, after one of the best and severest races ever known, Mr. Newton's Ma Mie, five years, 8st. 7lb. The betting was heavy at 6 and 7 to 4 on the loser, who, although she had Flatman on her, was beaten by a head. The riding in this match, on both sides, was much admired by the spectators.

A minor match for 50 sovs., over the first half of the Abingdon Mile, was won by the Marquis of Exeter's colt by Beiram out of Agnes (S. Mann), from Mr. Greville's Molly Mogg, 7st. 9lb. each. The betting was 6 to 4 on Molly Mogg, who was beaten very cleverly by a length. "Molly" has sadly deceived Mr. Greville, and her trainer, Dilly.

The Duke of Bedford's Panther, 7st. 4lb., received forfeit from the Marquis of Exeter's Antenor, 8st. 4lb., Ditch Mile., 200 sovs. h. ft. And now my tale is told, with the exception of observing that never, in my recollection, have I beheld a better goer, or a more racing-like colt, than Mr. Crockfort's Derby favourite, Ratan.

White Hart, Newmarket,
April 13th.

SPORTING PEREGRINATIONS.

BY ROBIN HOOD.

Few seasons have afforded more adventitious opportunities for pursuing the various sports of the field than the present. If we refer back to the month of August, when grouse shooting commenced, although, it is true, the excessive heat of the sun, approaching the intensity of an oriental climate, rendered the occupation one of considerable fatigue, yet, on most occasions, the toils of the sportsman were recompensed by the strength and condition of the birds. The month of September was also characterised by a similar continuation of heat and drought; still the partridges were, in most places, plentiful and strong on the wing; consequently, if not affording quite so many on the list of killed during the first fortnight, they nevertheless remained for future sport, when their vigour and wildness created more energy and enthusiasm, and considerably more skill in bringing them to bag. Pheasants have, perhaps, not been so very abundant, at least such is the complaint in some localities; but those who, with myself, witnessed the numbers which arose from some of the coverts on Lord Beauchamp's estate, at Madresfield, in Worcestershire, on one occasion of Captain Caudler's hounds drawing the woods, will, I am certain, agree with me in the declaration of their being exceedingly numerous. This also leads to an observation as to the practicability of preserving foxes and game in the same coverts. The former are very plentiful on his lordship's property, and the stock of game is

proverbially great; considering Lord Beauchamp is not a fox-hunter himself, the gentlemen of Worcestershire are the more indebted to him for the strictness observed in keeping up so good a stock of foxes for their amusement. From the numerous opportunities which are afforded me by hunting in various countries, I have particularly noticed that, where game is carefully and properly preserved, there is no lack of foxes. Without quitting the beautiful county of Worcester many examples may be introduced, as, for instance, at Witley, the present residence of our gracious Queen Dowager, who, it is most gratifying to observe, patronises the Worcestershire foxhounds with great earnestness. At Croome, also, foxes and game have been exceedingly abundant during the lifetime of the late Lord Coventry; and it is not probable that those who have the management of the estate, during the minority of the infant earl, will evince any want of attention in so important an observance as that of the promotion of sport so conducive as fox-hunting is to the agrément and interests of a country life.

Up to the present time the usual impediments to hunting, in the way of frost, have been below the average of most years, and they have been very partial; in some of the vale countries the interruptions have been very few indeed, not, in the whole, exceeding three or four days; whilst on the hills nearly as many weeks have been holidays, no frost whatever making its appearance till the month of February had set in. The afternoons have frequently afforded opportunities for hunting whenever the sun has not been obscured by clouds, its influence, on such occasions, being great enough to render the ground sufficiently soft both for hounds and horses.

Among the provincials the Albrighton hounds boast of having had more than their average share of sport; they continue under the management of Mr. Thomas Holyoake, who has had them since the commencement of the season 1840; prior to which Sir Thomas Boughey, of Aqualate, near Newport, hunted this country in conjunction with the greater portion of the country previously hunted by Mr. Wickstead; consequently the baronet had a country far too extensive for three days a week, and the result was that many parts were not hunted often enough, foxes were not zealously preserved, and Sir Thomas, disappointed at not being met with that attention to his sport which his liberality certainly demanded, in consequence of his keeping his hounds entirely at his own cost, gave them up after the fourth year.

Previously to Sir Thomas Boughey hunting the country, Mr. Walter Gifford was the master, with a subscription, and with somewhat similar arrangements to the present. To the best of my recollection, his mastership extended about seven or eight years, during the commencement of which time the kennels were at Albrighton, from whence the name of the hunt derived its origin; although the present kennels are at the summer-house, somewhere about a mile and a half from the former ones, and nearly midway between Wolverhampton and Shifnal, on what is called the great Holyhead road, which, before the innovation of railroads, was the principal rout from London to Ireland.

The country comprised in the limits of the Albrighton hunt extends, from north to south, about two or three and thirty miles, that is, from Seighford, near Stafford, to the Ran Dans, near Bromsgrove; the latter coverts being also neutral with the Worcestershire, and a somewhat unusual demand, as I am informed, being lately made by a newly established pack, denominated the "North Staffordshire," to hunt the Seighford coverts. As I have previously stated, Sir Thomas Boughey formerly hunted the Albrighton country, together with part of the country which Mr. Wickstead had hunted, upon which the Cheshire hunt extended their draw on their boundaries, and which they continued to keep: Seighford, in Mr. Wickstead's days, being within the boundary of his country, when Sir Thomas gave up his hounds, a portion of the country, hitherto hunted by him, and previously by Mr. Wickstead, comprising the northern part of Staffordshire, was without hounds for several years, when, about two seasons since, the "North Staffordshire" were established to hunt the vacant coverts; they now demand those at Seighford, and the Seighford coverts only, inasmuch as there are other coverts now within the limits of the Albrighton hunt, which formerly belonged to Mr. Wickstead. Their country being vacant for several years, and their suburbs being entered upon, without any reservation or condition, by a neighbouring hunt, must clearly be lost to them, for, when once a country has been abandoned or divided without restriction, no reasonable argument can be adduced why it should revert back again. It might as well have been claimed in the time Sir Thomas Boughey hunted it, and, because that he did not draw the whole of Mr. Wickstead's country, that he should not hunt a part of it-a principle which could not be acted upon, because, when a hunt is in possession of any portion of a country, no custom or usage can be brought forward to interfere. The "North Staffordshire" might, with equal propriety, claim the boundary coverts now established within the limits of the Cheshire.

The extreme breadth of the Albrighton country, from east to west, does not exceed fifteen miles in any part, the mining districts in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton and Dudley rendering that side somewhat irregular; and the river Severn, traversing from Bewdley to Bridgenorth, presents, as it were, a division on the south western border; on which side there is a good scenting rough country, very serviceable in its way, especially in spring and autumn; but the land being strong clay, the fences formidable, and some of the dingles very difficult to cross, it is not much resorted to except by those who come under the denomination of real sportsmen. The most favourite part of the country is that which lies on the western side of the Grand Junction Railway, comprised between Stafford, Brewood, Shifnal, and Newport. High Onn Wood, which is nearly in the centre of that district, being the crack covert of the hunt, the country around, which consists of a greater proportion of grass land than the generality boasts of, is consequently more favourable to scent; but the fences are most of them strong, and difficult for horses not accustomed to them. They are formed of quick, placed on a bank from two to four feet high, with a wide and deep ditch on the lower side, which, gene

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