158

THE LAST LEAP!

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY J. F. HERRING, JUN.

True to his promise, Mr. Herring has now furnished us with the painful but "ower true" sequel to the scene, with which we ushered in the ever-memorable May morning of '51. The gallant grey, who was there pourtrayed in the act of flying his maiden-fence, now makes his last bow after a twenty years' interval, in a vain but plucky attempt to repeat the same feat. For a rapid sketch of the above twenty years, we must refer our readers to his poetic historian, who "comes again at the finish" as follows:

V.

"2 to 1 on the bay,"
̧” “ 4 to 1 'gainst the grey,"
Are at Warwick now borne on the gale;
But J. B. never cares, and courageously swears
That "the field" will soon scan his nag's tail:
Four hurdles are passed, and the grey still lies last;
Frisby shakes him he answers "All right!"
"The Favourite is beat !" Frisby wins!" "A dead heat!"
No!"the grey a short head!" says Judge White.

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VI.

Then "The Friar, 10st. 9lbs." ripens John's old design
To astonish the Lancashire witches;

Mrs. B. says,

"Don't send him."

mend 'em ;

John answers, "You'll

But, dang it! thou shan't wear the breeches!"

She was right; her lord's hopes, when with nobblers he copes,

Soon fell swift, like the stick of a rocket ;

He no more wished to roam, as he rode his grey home,

A clear £50 out of pocket.

VII.

He found he'd been done, and fought shy of such fan-
Though to part with his pet seemed a sin-
And he swore he'd remember the glorious November
Free Handicap Hurdle-Race win;

So for seasons sixteen, once a week was he seen

On his grey at the cover in pink—

Flesh, saddle, and bone, he scaled full fourteen stone,

But no fence ever stopped him to think.

VIII.

Now the grey's eyes are dim; and his legs, once so slim,

Have at last become grease-full and lame;

But at times the old fire is wont to inspire

His haggard and flea-bitten frame.

Hark! that sound "Gone away!"-with a quivering neigh,
He charges yon fence to the hounds;

He's ricked his old back now a sharp pistol-crack
Sends his soul to the "Blest Hunting Grounds."

159

BROOKLANDS;

OR,

THE FIELD SPORTS OF THE WESTERNS.

BY LINTON.

СНАР. Х.

On approaching the Old Hall-the home of youth's happy days, the spot for ever engraven on the heart in memory of other times, when the cares of life-such as they were-passed as an April shower, leaving not a cloud lingering on the horizon, we were welcomed by the merry voice of the laughter-loving Bessy, who, having removed her hat and habit, now all radiant in health and smiles from her morning's ride, and its exciting amusements, rushed out on the steps of the entrance to meet us.

"I saw you, brother mine," she exclaimed, addressing Fred, "floundering in the brook, with the Jumper and Farmer Barleycorn.' "Did you?" he replied, in no good humour; "and what then, most precious Popsy? Did Mademoiselle Wilson tell you no other eyes could see so far as thine; no brain imagine aught of wonders like those which fill your little head? No mouth, utter such truisms." "No; but I thought you would be drowned, you ill-tempered boy, and I begged Jeames to ride with me to your help.'

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You did, did you, Miss Precious? and what said Jeames?"

Why, he said he should not wonder; but it was to be hoped, in such case, that Barleycorn would be drowned with you, for lending you such an animal-adding that he could not disobey orders, whatever the consequence and Papa had desired I should not follow the hounds. The chase is the chase, do you see, Miss? Many a good man gets half-drowned at times: some break their legs; some their arms; but they generally recover, and at it again! It is exciting, as you see, Miss. What is, is to be. There goes Squire Oatfield, into a muddy ditch, and Captain Slapbang smashing a gate, do you see, Miss?'"'

"Good advice and true, Bess my darling! Jeames is a filosefer, as Blackwell terms it: but if you saw me half-drowned, you saw me get out of the brook again; and if your little eyes can see half so far as the dear Wilson would desire us to believe, why you would have seen to the end of the run. Here is the brush! as proud a trophy as a French eagle."

"Well, Sir Impudence, I am glad you have brought home some. thing in memory of this pleasant day. But how was it that you obtained it, instead of Arty? for he cleared the brook at the same time as papa on Corbeau, and was away before you ?"

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Why, you little simpleton! The first horse that starts does not always win the race. Add this-the lad that

Mounts Barleycorn's Jumper, and gets to the end of a chase,

Must have a bold heart, light hand, and firm seat, to ride him whatever the pace,"

N

And thus good-humouredly joking, we dismounted, in full enjoyment of the past, and hoping for the future.

Then came the Sabbatha day religiously kept at the Old Hall; but as unlike the Sabbaths of the present day in the country, or anywhere else that I know of, as are persons and things from olden time: and while, after the lapse of years, I write these pages from my lamented friend's early memoranda-I who voted for the Reform Bill-I that have gloried in free-trade, inasmuch that my heart has ever told me that the gifts of the Almighty ought freely to be exchanged from one end of the world to the other: and more, that I would desire to see the million live rather than the thousand luxuriate-confess that, while many things are changed for the better, the reform most of all required, viz., in the hearts of our teachers, has rather merged into a spiritual warfare, terminating in a paradox of religious controversy, maddening to some, and a senseless impossibility to others. In the days when we were young, and knew little of the cares of life, save the want of a mount on hunting days, and a fair wind on fishing days, the prelate of Exeter was not, and Rome remained at Rome. So, forsooth, our admirable Christian pastor preached his simple sermon twice on each returning Sunday-once more than then was usual in rural districts-and was listened to and loved by a large and respectable congregation. He did more he gave more than a third of his income among the poor of his extensive parish, without ostentation or a hope of thanks: he sought his reward from Him who never deceives. Fear God and love your neighbour as yourself" was the lesson he taught, and much more-but this is not the place to dwell on it. He abused neither Pope nor Mahometan; he quarrelled neither with Independent nor Wesleyan; but he practised what he preached, and in the end gained a victory with his sword still in the scabbard, and with words dictated from the heart. Such was the man from whose lips I first heard the gospel preached. Regularly as the Sabbath morning arrived, no sooner breakfast over than, if the weather was wet, the old coach came to the door; and into it we bundled--not, however, till Bessy had received various instructions from the chère Wilson, at which-for boys will be boys-we made our remarks, and had our laughter. Bessy, my love, wrap your shawl closer around you; the air is keen"- -or I should rather say, cloak, as it might have been-" darling! I hope you have thick boots on; the ground is damp"-and so forth. At which commands, one brother proposed a stove should be placed at the bottom of the coach; while the other suggested the cushions should be aired with a warming-pan, our Dad all the time hugging his popsy closer, and attempting to be serious; but, nevertheless, in all heart entering into our frolic.

At the church, our governor always met with truthful and hearty respect we behaved, as who would not, who listened to our excellent pastor? for truly was he not a preacher of the present era-all theatrical mystification; but a Christian, large-hearted charitable man, who spoke by word of mouth precisely that which he performed in everyday life-a man abounding in benevolence, who acted towards others as he desired they should act towards him, and loved his neighbour as himself. What then? there was not a man in all the country round who could cast a fly as he could. There had not in earlier days been one who could beat him in a fast run, however stiff the country.

He