:

Swede was told like the Sverige, she wouldn't do:" and, on dit they mean to try again. Also, of the Sylvie hath the defeat been parrated; but it should be noted in our log that the R.Y.S. presented her owner with a trophy, in memory of bis sloop running second for their Cup..." open to all foreign vessels."... Her conqueror was the Julia--one hundred and eleven tons measurement-while the Sylvie's tonnage is given to us as two hundred and five. Seeing this was no time handicap, the balance against New English clipperism is a heavy one. The policy of the stranger in selecting the scene of his devoir was marked by that true taste, a character for which he has title to on better grounds than convention. I would rather leave such lore an anillustrated; but the office of the essayist is to point a moral by which the future may shape its course-to provide a friendly chart for others to steer by.

come.......

Setting aside all that personal experience enables me to adduce upon the point here about to be dealt with-not with an eye to the avoidance of personal liability, but because that which has already been published involves no imputation of discourtesy in its adoptionI turn to the discordant spirit which unhappily prevailed at the majority of our regattas during the past season, with the view of offering some practical suggestions that may supersede it in time to "Any yachting man who prefers grumbling to sailing, or laughing at blunders to cheering a winner, will do well to attend constantly at the Southern Yacht Club regattas, the proceedings at which have become proverbial as a perfect farce to every one, except the unhappy victims who are persuaded to enter their vessels to sail in any of the matches." With this paragraph was headed a prologue to the bill of play" of the society named in it given in a journal which devotes much of its attention to pleasure sailing. The writer-his premises admitted; and I cannot dispute them has most undeniably proved his proposition. E. g., he writes: "At the regatta of 1852-I forget exactly the matches which were announced, but those which took place were only, a race won by the Elizabeth, beating three others; a race by the Vampire, beating two others; and a walk-over" (?) "by The Volante. The races won by the Elizabeth and Vampire were sailed on the first day; the wind was light, and the Elizabeth just crawled round the stationvessel about half an hour after sunset. The Vampire came in first in her race, about an hour afterwards. One of the laws of the club (until then supposed to be equal in durability to those of the Medes and Persians) was, that if any race were not concluded by sunset the vessels were to sail again for the prize. Now, sir, for some reason best known to themselves, the managing committee in solemn conclave agreed that in the case of the Elizabeth the above rule should be waived, and her owner receive the Cup. The owner of the Vampire, delighted at this decision, as he had anticipated a second sail for his prize, walks confidently to the club-house and demands his Cup. 'No, no,' say the gallant committee-men, we don't waive the rule about the sunset for everybody; we have decided that your match is to be sailed for again. The Mazeppa, one of your antagonists of yesterday, is now at her station, waiting for you." The owner of the Vampire, justly exasperated at this, observes, 'Very good, gentle

X

men; this appears to me a very suitable case for my solicitor, whom I shall at once instruct in the matter,' and off he goes. Either a better feeling steals over their torpid minds, or else awed by the threat of my solicitor,' the frantic committee rush after him, catch him by the coat-tails, haul him back to the club-house, and, with the very worst grace, at length hand him the Cup. In the meanwhile, as the Vampire does not appear at the appointed time, the Mazeppa is mildly walking over the course under the advice of some authority on the committee, and when her undaunted crew appear for their hardearned laurels they are informed that those laurels were bound round the conquering brow of the owner of the Vampire, the winner of the previous day, about the time when the Mazeppa started in the morning for her walk over....... It fared still worse with the poor Volante than with the much-injured Mazeppa; she had been induced not to start on the previous day, as being so far superior to the vessels entered against her-she would have spoilt an excellent tub-match, and was promised a sugar-plum prize on the second day. But, alas! men and committees are deceivers ever'; one and all refused to sail against her on the second day, and she walks round the course (also by the advice of the committee-man, who is altogether repudiated and pooh-poohed by his comates the next day); and when the Volante asks for her prize, she is met with that well-known rule given ore rotundo, three to start, or no race'; and, as an additional reason for refusing the prize, is informed that her walk-over is not a good walk-over, because it did not begin at the time advertised for starting. It was not explained how these two reasons for not giving a prize are to be reconciled-a task which appears a puzzler to any head except a committee-man's."

It is obvious, however, from these data, that the avowed object of the Royal Southern Yacht Club is to discourage the practice of building fast vessels, and to establish the practical policy of Jim Bland's wrangle philosophy. This indefatigable "Pry" favours us with an edition for the current season, moreover, that puts the position positively. The preceding year having proved the Vampire and Volante to be good yachts, the present gave prizes by the conditions of which these craft were disqualified from sailing for them. A yachtsman told me, the other day, that the understanding involved in an election for a great metropolitan sailing club as "honorary member," is, that the " party so distinguished is disentitled to the only possible privilege or service that could result from such a condescension. Until cliquism and toadyism cease to be the predominating elements of local party institutions, the only office they are destined to fulfil will be, that while the world laughs, a few leery old barnacles will get fat on the vaulting ambition of gents able and deluded to pay entrance and annuity for the grace of brass buttons with anchors on them. In a leader of the Times of this morning (the 19th of September) the genealogy of knaves and fools was delineated with choice. discrimination. I "calculate" the writer read an advertisement of the previous day in a Sunday fast paper-"The Betting Bill Defeated."

"The advertiser has hit upon a plan to defeat this arbitrary measure. It is novel, easily understood, and its adoption-which every one is capable of doing-will realize a very handsome income."

All that remains to be done is, the gentleman of enterprize and spirit, in accordance with the invitation at the close of the offer, sends a post-office order for five shillings, payable at Charing-XCross. Thus for a crown-piece people are promised a fortune; and the immortality of having defeated an arbitrary Government, a House of hard-hearted Lords, and a popular Assembly of crushing Commons, for a crown-piece-merely on the condition of pre-payment for the information, if they "wish they may get it." And, after all, yacht clubs in Cockneydom are not much greater anomalies than opinions that outlaw the equity bar, advertised for the price of a dinner and a drain of something to wash it down. Well, well! "everything has a handle, if one only knew where to find it ;" and, moreover, it is suggested, "nothing venture, nothing have."

"It's a mighty fine thing to be father-in-law

To a very magnificent three-tail Bashaw."

This year we have land fights and sea fights within easy fares by special trains of this fair temple of Janus. They were, however, only make-believers; next year, if we've luck, we shall have them in earnest, with excursion tickets-cheap-to the Bosphorus. Or, should peace prevail, something stunning must be got up; for it has become a recognized constitutional epidemic, that without proper excitement for the million, national convulsion follows, or rather ensues. Does any one doubt that racing studs are kept with a view to promote hilarity and good fellowship between classes? that regattas are offerings of free-will to holyday re-unions? that foxhounds are hunted pro bono publico? that protection is the principle of disinterested benevolence, and a hotel the personification of social economy? Has not California been found, and Australia discovered? and is it not the golden age? And what if it isn't? Do as the King of France and his 20,000 men did....... Life is an uphill journey. The houses of call, by the way, are charged heavily for their licences. Turn where you will, there is ever class-interest, selfinterest, or distinctive discourt staring you in the face. It's all the same, whatever the element. If your enterprize lead you to the sea, Mother Carey has no chicken base enough to bring you bad luck, or suggest slow counsel. Sooner or later compensation, the great natural law, vindicates itself; as Samuel Slick says "I hope I may be skinned if it don't." When things go wrong-when "partial evil" has the best of it, bide your time; or, to prescribe for your complaint a recipe copied from the facetious and good judge, "choose the place to give your cattle the cow-skin." Avoid open war with committee rules, and regulations for the breach of them. Do the best you can; sail till the good time comes. "Discretion is the better part of valour "

"Never say die!" go in and try a lunge;

And if you're licked, why then "up goes the sponge."

.296

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

"I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy.

The veteran Planché (that is the proper newspaper phraseology), once upon a time, wrote in one of his burlesques

"Two Italian operas,

One over sure to topple is,"

and this sagacious prediction has come to pass: Her Majesty's has fallen, Gye has vanquished Lumley, Costa has beaten Balfe from his desk. Terpsichore has deserted the Haymarket for the fruit and flower market; and although only one house, and there more than an average of novelty, there never, perhaps, was more apathy exhibited on the part of the public than during the past season. Rigoletto, with its excellent mise en scene; the enormous failure of Benvenuto Cellini; and on the other hand, the excellent opera of Jessonda, were not provocative of the least curiosity amongst those who discuss matters musical. Neither was there the enthusiasm that might generally be supposed from the supposed retirement of Grisi and Mario; nor was there interest excited by the substitution of Tamberlik for Mario in the Prophète. No; there was a general listlessness despite the advent of good singers and the loss of others. Not a word was uttered touching the disadvantages Made. Julienne had to contend with, by being obliged to appear in Roberto unrehearsed; and having the misfortune to be the heroine of such a composition as Benvenuto

Cellini." Then the ballet failed to create the furore of the nights of the pas de quatre. Plunket pirouetted, yet the occupants of the omnibus-box dozed. Let some dancer only appear whose years do not far exceed a score, with the grace and endowments of a Ferraris, and then farewell to the nodding.

From Covent Garden to Drury Lane it is but a step, but there is a wide difference between the two for all that. At the former there is a season, at the latter there are-but not having Mr. Babbage's calculating-machine at hand, we will not hazard the experiment of naming the number-suffice it to say that Smith's Seasons numerically surpass Thomson's. One of the late seasons has been devoted to operas of all tongues, and it must be declared that a deliciously novel complexion is imparted by the melodious sounds gushing forth in so many different languages in one composition. Upon the whole the undertaking was a worthy one. The musical has given way to dramatic. It is but Charivari to Punch. For the arrangements of the lessee we are indebted to that indefatigability and activity of management hitherto only displayed by the directors of saloons in remote regions. Go where you will, in all directions, railway, fire, police, and boat stations, and on all the dead walls, and under the bridges of the metropolis, your visual organs are rivetted to a framed and glazed portrait of a sable gentleman with turban and sword, with the prefix of "That celebrated tragedian Mr. G. V. Brooke, will perform for twenty-four nights only at Drury Lane." This is exemplified by "Never since the days of Edmund Kean," &c., winding up with the intelligence of Mr. Brooke's departure for Cali

fornia-yes, to that land of gold, pistolling, stabbing, hanging-and marrying, Lola Montes would add. "Think of that, Master Brooke." Of his performances we must be silent, as we cannot, with any veneration for truth, endorse Mr. Smith's bill with regard to the comparison between Mr. Brooke and Edmund Kean. Then, again, it would be hardly fair to the present representative of tragedy to enter into details, considering the want of support he has to contend with, in being associated with the veriest troupe of incapables ever marshalled in booth or barn. The only exceptions being Miss Anderton, Miss Featherstone, and Mr. Davenport. The two actresses mentioned will, with study and care, assuredly adorn the profession, which much needs such an acquisition. Touching the want of taste that prompts the manager to resort to a system of puffery, which is bad enough even in the lowest of the minors, it is to be deplored that Drury Lane should be thus degraded. Such a course might be pursued at a publichouse, where notoriety might be required for the blandishments of a bloated Bloomer, or the ponderosity of a grim and gross giant; but do not desecrate Old Drury

"'Tis a blot

On snch a spot."

TAME WOODCOCKS.-(To the Editor of the Sporting Magazine.)— SIR,-As it may be interesting to some of your readers to be informed that woodcocks may be reared by hand from the nest, and tamed, I send you an account of what I witnessed a short time since, when on a visit at Ottershaw Park, Surrey. In an enclosure in the garden, I was introduced to four tame woodcocks, with which I soon became quite familiar, and they took worms from my hands in abundance. These birds were hatched on the property, and removed early from the nest, and for a time were put under a hen, and constantly fed with worms. They grew very fast, soon took the worms without trouble, and were put into the garden, where every inch of the ground allotted to them is bored by their beaks. It was quite curious to watch their habits, and to see the quantity of worms they would swallow. The birds are now full grown, and quite tame. The hospitality of the possessor of Ottershaw is so well known, that I feel sure any sportsman wishing to see these extraordinary birds would, on application, meet with a cordial reception. Your constant reader, G. E. B.-Aug. 4, 1853.

THE REGISTERED CAMBRIDGESHIRE HUNTING GIRTH.-Mr. Birtles, a saddler of Birmingham, is now supplying a girth, registered under the above title. It is the invention of a member of the Cambridgeshire Hunt, and has, we are told, been now for some time used by Mr. Barnett and other masters of hounds. We have had no opportunity as yet of testing its merits; but so far as one may judge from inspection, it gives every promise of realizing its assumed advantages. The following extract from the prospectus details what these are:- "The novelty of principle is the application of elastic ends, which gives the greatest liberty of expansion to the chest, and allows the horse to extend himself with ease and facility; they entirely destroy the sudden jerk, and renders comparatively smooth the roughest action; at the same time you are firmly fixed to your horse's back: both breastplate and crupper are rendered useless."