one that wont jump at all. They positively frighten me. Up you come, prepared to find yourself in the next field; and by the time that you ought to be half-way across it, you have got four legs on å bank in the compass of a hat-crown, and a heck three-parts over a sort of gulley, which looks only uglier from your incapability of seeing the bottom of it. Besides which, as half one's enjoyment arises from anticipation, my hunting existence can be better conceived than appreciated, when I state that on such horses I'm always expecting a fall ; and when the fall does come, it's en inglorious fall. Nothing brilliant, like a good rattler ; but a heavy, long, slog-dolaging sort of tumble, such as a beef-eater or the Knave of Clubs might be expected to get, if he went out hunting. To the roothings of Essex, or the fallows of the Holderness, I've no objection ; the latter is a little wide of the metropolis, and when a frost comes or goes, it takes about a fortnight's hay and corn to get backwards and forwards. No, sir, it strikes me that a young gentleman with so charming a relative as yourself in existence, would do well to pitch his tent about a cheroot or regalia's distance from

Uncle S.-A what? this is a new system of measurement.

Neph,—Exactly. I'm glad you remark it, and hope you admire it. You know I've taken to reading lately, and have been charmed with that obsolete drama—"The Rivals.” As Bob Acres has his oath referential or sentimental swearing, it occurred to me that a measurement referential, according to one's habits, would be a very pretty introduction into the sportsman's vocabulary—“How far is to cover, Smith?” “Not more than a couple of cheroots.” Fellows lie so terribly when they talk about miles. Now, if you know of a nice little box about one regalia from you, I think I could make myself comfortable with three good horses and a hack.

Uncle S.-The hack I think is unnecessary. You can either afford three or four; but have hunters : no man wants a hack with so small a stud. Get up half-an-hour earlier, and take that much more time on the road ; and if your hunters are sound and good-constitutioned, you may always be carried to cover on one of them. I dare say I may be able to find a place for you. It so happens that her Most Gracious Majesty, with a proper appreciation of the military ardour of her country gentlemen, has called into active service the gallant regiment of Stickathome Militia, who are gone somewhere to quell a riot-or to make one ; and as the places of these preservers of our country and our foxes must be supplied, we shall probably have a great supply of strange leather breeches amongst us this winter. I know nothing so comfortable for a single man as quarters in a country inn or hotel. Nothing to do but to call for what you want, and to pay for it. The inconvenience of servants alone ought to deter any man from keeping house, who can do without it. Have your own groom and your own body-servant, valet, or whatever you please to call him : and let your landlord find helpers.

Neph.But about the hounds? How many cigars distant from the meets, what sort of country, and, above all, what sort of horses?

Uucle 8.-For a light weight to see sport, I should recommend some place, and there are plenty, where you may get to the Pytchley, the Quorn, with oocasional days with Lord Southampton, the Warwickshire, and Mr. Drake. Follow the North Western line, not too

far from London, and yet far enough from the metropolitan swells : stag-hounds will do better for them. With the Pytchley or Quorn you must have a hunter, and plenty of pace; and Lord Southampton has, if possible, a more difficult country than either of them-many a bottom, as we call them, and not Shuffler's Bottoms either. It's a country in which a man learns never to despise a gate. Never be deceived by the notion that knowledge of a country makes a bad rider. Here it is of the greatest possible advantage; besides which, no one but a blockhead can hunt long without acquiring it, and profiting by it. A friend of mine, who would have been great as a sportman but for a deficiency in all points that make one, great over the mahogany, used to abuse the Pytchley country for its quantity of gates : I don't think he ever found one too many—I never did. The fields, extensively and numerically, are large, and the fences to be negociated with a good will, or not at all. Leicestershire is somewhat easier; but the pace is severe, and an ox-fence is an awkward customer to look at. Mr. Lowndes, with a bad country, is likely to show sport ; for he has a first-rate pack of hounds, and is a genuine sportsman himself. Oxfordshire is fortunate in having still got Mr. Drake at the head of his establishment: his father's own son every inch of him. There's a choice of localities for you.

Neph,— And for horses, a good bold young one or two.

Uncle S.-A good bold one or two would be better. However, if unmade, they acquire a knowledge of business sooner over slashing fences, than where they are more cramped. I am no advocate for teaching horses to jump by getting falls : young horses generally jump far enough, and if they find themselves safe on the other side generally, they recover from an occasional fall, which must happen, more easily. Mind they can jump, after galloping ; in other words, when a little beat. When they are done to a turn, avoid fencing much, unless you wish to kill yourself and the horse too ; and look a-head for sound ground—that's one of the most sensible things Nimrod ever wrote. A perfectly-made hunter—sound and fast, that can carry 13 stone, about 8 years old, is worth “ Mygdonian riches :" one of four years old may be as good, at half the money ; but you must take your chance.

Neph.-And where am I to go for the animal ?

Uncle 8.-Oxford against the world for screws-condition and talent included : and no wonder. If they can go with the hands they have generally behind them, they can go anyhow. For a better class of horse, young, fresh, and good, you may also try Oxford-Charles Simmonds, for instance, or any good dealers : Kench, Potter, and the London men. You have heard me speak, too, of Mr. Hall's establishment at Neasdon, from which young horses are draughted, and sent to Kilsby, in Northamptonshire, to learn their business: those are the sort fitted for a light weight over a first-rate country—almost thoroughbred, many quite. Perhaps he may have none of the twentyfour that I saw for sale : when he has, ask the price. Gentlemen sometimes have a good horse or two for sale, as well as dealers.

Neph.--Now about the covers, foxes, fences, and

Uncle S.-Another time. One more glass of — No? Well, that's right: I like moderation.

Neph.--Apropos of moderation, do you know, Sir, that you have given great offence to a gentleman, a contributor to the N.S.M. under the euphonious appellation which distinguishes the junior branches of the Noble House of Burghley ?

Uncle S.-Yes, so I hear. And no one can regret more than I do that what was meant for a passing pleasantry, and, as you may see, was written ironically, should have been so literally interpreted, or have for a moment hurt the feelings of a contributor and sportsman. Those who join in so glorious a pastime should be the last to quarrel about its quality. However, there's an end of it. If you won't take more wine, let's join the ladies.

Oct. 9, 1854.

TROUT SPEARING.

BY MARTINGALE.

The lamentable death of Mr. Bagshawe, of Wormhill Hall, near Buxton, and of The Oaks, near Sheffield, by the hands of poachers, which has plunged a large and esteemed family into the deepest sorrow and affliction, as well as spread a gloom over the whole of North Derbyshire, and created a feeling of universal regret for his unhappy fate, has drawn attention to, and many enquiries have been made respecting, the mode of spearing fish, pursued by a gang of daring fellows, who, perfectly reckless of their own lives, are ferocious against those who venture upon an attack for the purpose of capturing them.

Before, however, proceeding to describe the plan adopted by these midnight adventurers to secure their plunder in defiance of all laws, the recital of a few particulars respecting the fatal encounter on Thursday morning, the 19th of July, by which the unfortunate young gentleman was deprived of existence, may be deemed necessary; although the tale is fraught with melancholy interest now, and will be remembered with pain and sorrow hereafter. Nor, as an instance of the poaching propensities of the present day, will it be deemed unfit to be placed on record in these pages.

Mr. Bagshawe was only twenty-six years of age. Last summer he took a tour on the continent, visiting Egypt and other countries, and had only returned home about two months previous to the occurrence of the sad calamity. He took up his abode for the fishing season at his beautiful residence of Wormhill Hall, situated about two miles and a half south of Tideswell, upon the river Wye, which runs through a delightfully romantic district, Miller's Dale, Cressbrook Dale, and Monsall Dale, to Bakewell. Mr. Bagshawe, who was devotedly attached to field sports, possessed indomitable courage and unflinching resolution, and was a generous open-hearted man, and rented from the Duchy of Lancaster the fishing right on the Wye for about three miles, including part of Miller's Dale. Whilst thus residing at Wormhill Hall, to enjoy the pleasures of fly-fishing, one of his favourite amusements, he was entertaining, with his accustomed hospitality, two guests, viz., Captain Partridge, a Herefordshire gentleman, who was cousin on the maternal side, and Mr. Henry St. John Halford, of Wistow Hall, Lancashire, son of Sir Henry Halford, M.P., for Leicester, and husband of one of the late Mr. Bagshawe's sisters. Thus accompanied, the atttractions of trout-fishing afforded by the romantic river Wye, which he anxiously preserved, may be readily iniagined. Mr. Bagshawe had been repeatedly annoyed by the nocturnal visits of a gang of poachers to this secluded spot, and he was determined to put a stop to the proceedings of these desperate marauders, especially as ihey had of late behaved with the most insolent audacity. He had reason to suspect that they would be again spearing on the Wednesday night, and a resolution was at once formed by Mr. Bagshawe and his guests to frustrate their designs, and, if possible, to capture the delinquents in a body. The necessary steps were taken to accomplish this purpose. About half-past ten o'clock, Mr. Bagshawe and Mr. Halford left the Hall, and proceeded down the stream in the direction of Raven's Torr. Captain Partridge and the keeper, Jarvis Kaye, accompanied by a bull dog, held in a leash, followed about an hour later. The two latter walked along the river bank through Wye Wood. When they had reached the stone bridge connected with the Buxton Road, at the Miller's Dale toll-bar, they observed below them, down stream, the reflection of lighted candles on the water. This was at once a conclusive proof that the poachers were at their work of trout spearing. Instantly, Captain Partridge sent the keeper, by a circuitous route, to inform Mr. Bagshawe and his companion of the circumstance. In the meanwhile, the Captain placed himself in ambush near the Toll-bar, and watched the poachers up stream. They passed within a few yards of him ; but he was so well concealed that they did not observe him, otherwise his life probably would have been endangered. The gang consisted of ten or twelve men. At this fearful moment a horseman came along the road from Taddington. At the sound of the horses' hoofs, å signal-whistle was given higher up stream, and the lights were instantly extinguished. The poachers concealed themselves under the bridge. Soon afterwards, the candles were relighted, and the spearing resumed. On reaching the bridge, Mr. Bag shawe wished to attack the poachers at once ; but his friends, seeing the foliy of attacking such a band of ruffians with their inferior force, he yielded to their advice, and went to Wormhill for more assistance, and soon returned with a party of men. Three of them were injudiciously sent over the stream, and five laid down where they were. The lights were approaching. The first man with the light held it up towards them. At that moinent a signal (a chirping noise) was given. Mr. Bagshawe, who was armed with a life preserver, threw off his coat and said " We have them now," and immediately, “Go at them!” They all jumped üp; the dog was slipped, and instantly two guns were fired, without inflicting injury to any one. Mr. Bagshawe rushed into the water and attacked the first man with the light. A desperate fight ensued. Mr. Bagshawe was soon struggling in the water with more than one man, and called out for assistance ; he had fallen or been knocked down. He was found with his head resting on a stone on the margin of the stream; and nearly every one in the mëlée was more or less injured. Two of the poachers, Milner and Taylor, were secured. When Mr. Bagshawe was got out, he said, “We have had a terrible fight; they have nearly killed me; three big brutes got me down in the water ; I think one of them must be dead.” He was only sensible for about halfan-hour; he was assisted to the Hall ; he began to talk wildly, and became insensible; and expired in the course of the day. The jury, in the coroner's inquisition, brought in a verdict of "wilful murder” against Milner and Taylor. Soon afterwards five other poachers were apprehended, and a similar verdict was given against them. Thus, they were all committed on the same charge— wilful murder.” The trial came on at Derby, ten days after the perpetration of the fatal deed, vizi, on the 29th of July, before Mr. Justice Maule. Mr. Macaulay appeared for the prosecution ; the prisoners were defended by Mr. Serjeant Miller. The proceedings occupied nearly twelve hours. Contrary to general expectation, the jury, after an absence of about a quarter of an hour, returned a verdict of “ Not guilty” with regard to all the prisoners. According to the ruling of the learned judge, who possesses the reputation of being one of the soundest lawyers on the bench, if the poachers had not reasonable means of knowing that the party who attacked them did so for the purpose of apprehending them and bringing them before a justice, their resistance was justifiable ; and further, though they might be guilty of homicide, they were not chargeable with the guilt of murder. The evidence adduced was deemed of such a nature as to bear out the view taken of the case by the learned judge ; and hence this unexpected decision, which has taken the country by surprise, as well as astonished the poachers themselves. For a long period complaints have been made as to the severity with which the game-laws are administered by magistrates ; but whatever may have been the desperate rashness of the unfortunate Mr. Bagshawe, whose fate is deeply lamented, here is a case in which no punishment is inflicted, though life has been sacrificed.

Poaching a stream for trout, is a totally different matter from cover or field poaching for pheasants, hares, and partridges; although instances are on record of one man being equally expert in all these unlawful practices. The means applied and the mode adopted with regard to trout, are after this fashion :- The spear shaft is made of different lengths, some four or five feet, according to the depth of the stream ; the spear-head is provided with four or five prongs ; these prongs are barbed like a fish-hook, so that when the trout is struck, it is impaled, with no chance of writhing itself off. Lanterns are generally used, particularly in windy weather. In the lamentable encounter on the Wye, the poachers had two lanterns, and two candles in each lantern. It sometimes happens, however, that naked candles are used when the night is calm and still, and some of these midnight robbers prefer them to lanterns, because they say that they can see the fish more distinctly. In the latter case, a " light board " is used ; this ten or twelve inches in length and four inches wide ; in the absence of sockets, three nails placed in a triangular form are driven nearly together, in three or four differ nt places--sometimes more, for the purpose of holding the can