THE MELTON HUNT.

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The Melton hounds had the best December known for very many seasons. Fair Dian, too long in the wane, is once again pouring her golden glories over the fair hills and dales of Leicester. Mr. Green is doing the thing as it ought to be done, and consequently men hunt foxes instead of steeples," situated upon gentle acclivities." the 9th they had a magnificent run, of which we copy a sketch:"Met at Great Daulby; found a fine dog-fox at Thorpe Trussels; went away back nearly to Great Daulby; turned to the right away for Barrow, by Marefield; run to John o' Gaunt to the left; thence for Halstead, and straight away for Skeffington Highfield; on to Tugby Spinney, when he was headed; time, fifty-two minutes, up to the check. Turned short to the right for Rolleston, through the wood, back to the gorse covert; run twice round it, and killed; time, from finding to killing, one hour and twenty minutes. The pace was tremendous for the first fifty-two minutes, up to the check; and for the last four miles there was not a horse within a quarter of a mile of the hounds. Every hound was up to the death, not one straggler missing; and, during the whole of this splendid run, you might have covered them with a tablecloth. The 'meet' was very large, including the elite of Melton and Leicester. Lord Gardnor, on Wildgoose, rodeout and out,' till thinking it really a wildgoose chase, like Macbeth, he cried out, Hold, enough!' as did many good ones at the same time. There was more than an average display of the 'humours' of the chase, eight or nine floundering in Troyford Brook at once; among them Lord Charles Manners, who had ridden gallantly down to it, vis-à-vis, to Joe Tomline, the rough-rider of Billesdon, who was seen struggling, might and main, to get out first, hunting like death, levelling all distinctions. There were also some rattling falls, but no one stopped to pick up their friends; the pace was too good for courtesy."

THE PYTCHLEY HUNT.

The weather was so very uncertain during the last month, that we are not disposed to quote its average, as giving a fair idea of the sport enjoyed in the different hunting districts. During December, the sport was but indifferent with the Pytchley. The scent, save in three or four instances, failed, as it were, on the instant-an effect attributed to the awfully saturated state of the ground, from the torrents that so far accompanied the season; for this reason their account of "slain" was a very meagre bulletin. The runs from Fox Hall to Sywell Wood, from Orlingbury to Fanton Corner, from Scotland Wood to Nipwell Wood, and from Waterloo Gorse, to near Naseby, were excellent, and would have been perfect with a kill at the end. Each day there was a strong muster from the adjoining hunts, including Lords Cardigan, Gardnor, Maidstone, &c. &c. &c. Lord Cassilis, Messrs. Nicholl, Denison, Hitchcock, and several others, have studs of horses at Brixworth.

THE COTTESMORE HUNT.

How shall we allude to the present position of the Cottesmore? The character of its noble master, as a true Englishman, ennobled not

alone by rank, but by every social virtue, needs no eulogium from us. It will be long before the name of Lowther shall pass from the sporting annals of our land; but the Cottesmore Hunt has numbered its last season at least so says report. Political differences between Lord Gainsborough, the principal proprietor of the district, and Lord Lonsdale, are assigned as the reasons for this untoward event. Rumour has given the country to Sir Richard Sutton; while, in other quarters, it is asserted that the dispute is in a train of arrangement. We sincerely hope that the latter may be the case. Doubtless, Sir Richard would be a most efficient successor to Colonel Lowther; but no change, however excellent, would be popular. It will be uphill work for the man who follows Lord Lonsdale as master of foxhounds in the Cottesmore country.

THE WILTS AND HANTS HUNTS.

It is understood that Mr. Horlock resigns his country at the end of the present season. We have not heard what future arrangements are contemplated there. Mr. Codrington retires, also, at the close of the season, from the direction of the New Forest; and it is believed that Mr. Wyndham is desirous of giving up his home country, and taking to the Forest again, with a subscription. It was intimated to the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, that a wish prevailed for him either to hunt the New Forest, or take the Wiltshire country, vacated by Mr. Wyndham; but both propositions were declined.

THE SURREY AND SUSSEX HUNTS.

With the spring of 1842, Mr. Hankey terminates his connexion with the Surrey Union, and Mr. Lee Steere throws up his hounds— the latter an event that will, probably, have some effect upon the prospects of the chase in West Sussex. There are some other changes contemplated in the midland counties, but, as they are contingent upon Sir Richard Sutton's accession to the Cottesmore, we do but allude to them while that arrangement is not actually concluded. Should Lord Lonsdale vacate, Mr. Foljambe is named as future master of the Burton Hunt, and Captain Percy Williams to replace Mr. Foljambe. What may be in reserve for Sussex is more difficult to surmise. Within the last month a proposition was made by Colonel Wyndham to a gentleman, who recently commenced fox-hunting in the western division of that county, that he should draw a certain cover, or covers, in General Wyndham's country, upon the principle of the monkey, who politely requested the loan of the cat's paw to pick the chestnuts out of the fire. The new M. F. H. had, fortunately, too much courtesy, or too much nous, to comply, and thus that apple of discord remained unlifted. We have very gratifying accounts of the gallant General's sport; surely, if ever desert secured success, his truly English fashion of supporting a truly English diversion, merits the most benignant smiles that fortune has to bestow.

THE DORSET HUNT.

On Wednesday, the 19th of January, the fog was so thick, that Mr. Drax sent on a whipper-in to Spetsbury Down, to say that he

should not throw off till it cleared a little. In consequence of this the hounds did not keep their fixture til near two o'clock. There had been, and was, a good field in attendance, some of whom, in opposition to their own eyes, determined that there was no fog; others seemed to think that, because the mist lifted a little in places, the fox, having a better light there than in the haunts of his usual prowl, would be induced, simply for their amusement, to run round a given spot, as horses do in cider mills; so that when the master of the hounds, accompanied by the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, arrived, he was received with visible signs of discontent, as if it was in his power to rule the weather, and to invest his field with discrimination. The gentlemen who only hunt for fashion sake, had gone home, glad of an excuse to return to the safety of their fire-sides; or, in one or two instances, they tarried till the arrival of the establishment, and moment of commencement, simply for the satisfaction of a growl at the master, as well as to let him see that they withdrew in dudgeon. The men of the right sort remained, and well were they repaid.

On this day Lord Portman's hounds did not keep their fixture, owing to the fog.

The hounds had not long been thrown into Coll Wood, when the viewhalloo of the gamekeeper brought them to a fox. Away they went over Spetsbury Down, like a flock of pigeons, at the very best pace; then turned to the right, over the fallows, when the scent changed their merry flight to a slower pace, and after a run of an hour and forty minutes, they hunted up to a dog-fox without a brush, and killed him close to the village of Spetsbury, where the sportsmen were hospitably refreshed by the Rev. Mr. Tooke.

On Friday these hounds met at the far-famed Stock, the neverfailing proprietor of which showed them a gallant fox, and a fine day's sport, in spite of the fact of Mr. Farquharson having killed a fox upon the lawn on the Wednesday before, and Lord Portman's hounds having actually run through the covers the very day previous to the advertised meet of Mr. Drax.

There is "something rotten in the state of Denmark," when three packs of hounds, with a wide country, at least, before one of them, are brought thus into proximity-not once, but more than once, and very often; and well might the proprietor of Stock, a thorough sportsman to the backbone, exclaim, in indignant terms, against such wilful accidents. From a Dorset Correspondent.

THE YORK AND ANSTY HUNT.

The following most extraordinary circumstance was communicated to the Editor by Major Kaye, who was an eye-witness of it:

"The York and Ansty hounds met at Skelton, December 13th; drew Skelton Spring blank; found in Overton Wood; ran a ring back to the wood, and heard from the keeper that there were two foxes in a tree. The whip went with informant, and saw them on the branches of an oak, ten or fifteen feet from the ground. The keeper then climbed a short way up the tree, and dislodged one of them, who, after a short run, went to ground. We returned in about half an hour, and found the other fox in the same tree. The hounds being taken about 100

yards from the spot, the master went a little way up the stem, and tried to unkennel the wily animal from his position; but he showed his teeth, and moved not. Thereupon he struck at him with his huntingwhip, and forthwith reynard descended to mother earth, like a squirrel, hopping from branch to branch. The hounds were immediately laid on, and they had a splitter for thirty-five minutes, when a short check gave us a pull. We had been going at very best pace. We had, after that, a hunting run of an hour, at least, bringing him by Newpark, and lost at Sheriff Hulton Castle."

THE OAKLEY HUNT.

It is a matter of regret to all interested in the well-doing of the Oakley Hunt, that Mr. Magniac has resolved on retiring from the management of it, at the end of the present season. At a meeting of the members of the Hunt, held at the Swan Hotel, Bedford, on the 14th ult., a good subscription was guaranteed for next year; and, if no suitable person offer to take them, on the resignation of Mr. Magniac, they will be placed under the direction of a committee.

THE HAMBLEDON HUNT.

Report says, Mr. Long retires at the end of this season from the mastership of the Hambledon hounds. He has had them two seasons, and given great satisfaction to every one connected with the Hunt. We hope as good a man may be found to succeed him.

THE PUCKERIDGE HOUNDS.

THESE hounds met on Friday, 17th December, at Thorley Church, for a bye-day. The field mustered stronger than it usually does on such occasions. At half-past ten precisely, Simpson (the huntsman) threw his hounds into Thorley Wood, but not a cheering note was heard; he then trotted off to Madhams, drawing, en route, three or four little springs. However, on the way, up sprung the gallant varmint in a stubble; the hounds were on in a moment, and away flew the forward riders, like arrows from bows, Mr. Charles Stallibrass, that excellent specimen of a farmer, leading like the wind. And let me add, that he is not the only son of his mother who can go straight, for his brother John is a most troublesome customer to shake

"Hold hard, gentlemen!" cried Mr. Parry, as the impatient ones were wishing to get on a little, when the hounds ran him into Madhams Wood; but little holding was necessary, as through he went, and, being headed by some men at work, he struck off for Thorley Wood, but stayed only to leave a card, and off he went to Tednambury, where, owing to the congregation of villanous sounds, occasioned by that chief blot on all fox-hunting countries-a railway-he managed to slink off; otherwise, his point seemed to be the Halfield Heath country. Another fox was soon found, at Old Park Wood, who went away in brilliant style to Thorley Wood, and thence to Sawbridgeworth, where the scent became very ticklish. Most of the field cut it; but a few determined to see the thing out. Simpson worked like a steam-engine, to recover his fox, and his perseverance was rewarded.

The hounds hunted him slowly on his way back to Thorley; and a yokel having viewed him a few minutes before going straight for the cover, there Simpson lifted his hounds a little, and thought to get on. "Hark to old Bonny Lass," called out one of the whips, who was giving mouth in the valley to the left. Away went Simpson to her, and in five minutes viewed his fox going into Quennils; thence he was viewed up the hill, to Thorley Wood. He was well deserved by the pack, and they got their deserts. There were only about five of the field

remaining when the "whoop" was cried.

The scent, in the Puckeridge country, through most of the commencement of the season, but indifferent; yet there is one practice that is, I fear, becoming too much in vogue here, and which not even a bad-scenting day can justify-I mean the sending forward a whipper-in to ride with the fox, or close after him. It makes hounds depend too much upon a halloo, and not stoop sufficiently to a cold scent. A whipper-in would be much better employed in getting them to a huntsman, when casting; but often, when the huntsman needs the assistance of either of his whips, neither is to be seen, both having been sent on. No man is more anxious to show sport than Mr. Parry, and his kind and quiet manner in the field insure the respect of all; and he will, I hope, pardon this opinion of mine. A more hospitable and friendly race than the farmers of Hertfordshire (sportsmen to the backbone) no man ever met with.

B. B.

BOAR-HUNTING.

"Ponit apros, animal propter convivia natum."
Wild boars we chase, because it's good to eat 'em.

JUVENAL, Sat. 1.

THERE is a very trite proverb, to the effect that taste is an affair which cannot be accounted for. Is there not a mistake in this? Are we not told, and has not our own experience shown, that habit is second nature? Take a human being, and, having ascertained the circumstances of his position, the characters and pursuits of his associates, and, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, we may determine the bias of his propensities. Of all natural feelings that which leads man to care for self-preservation is the strongest, yet let accident place him among those who daily stake their lives against their need of excitement, and he will throw for existence as gamblers play for counters. It is not the occasional feats of voluntary daring one witnesses, or reads of, that best prove the truth of this position, but the systematic way in which we find those who have followed a course of desperate jeopardy, reasoning in support of their perilous tastes. No book of modern days can be adduced as better evidence of this fact than Captain Walter Campbell's "Old Forest Ranger," and, probably, the most striking and interesting instance is the subjoined description of "Wild Boar Hunting," which he derived from the journals of his distinguished brother, the late lamented Captain George Campbell, of the Bombay Civil Service.

"If excitement be the test by which to estimate the comparative