REVIEW to the chronicling of these events of the Chase, you will oblige Windsor, December 24th. R. T. On the 19th, a goodly number mustered at Binfield. Opposite Lady Wilder's the deer was uncarted, and went away for Binfield Church, and then to Lord Braybrooke's Lodge; from hence to Charity Farm, Rescombe Church, and then across the Great Western rail. Wargrave was the next point, at a short distance from which the deer was taken, after a good run of an hour and twenty minutes. men. On the 21st the meet was Bedfont. The assemblage was good, there being upwards of 400 present, amongst whom were many military The deer was uncarted at East Bedfont; made for the direction of the Thames; heading back to Bedfont; crossing the Staines road; from thence proceeded in the direction of Ashford. Our quarry now crossed the country between Feltham and Ashford, and made for Hanworth Park; from there to Sudbury Common, and then back again to Feltham Hill, proceeding to Bedfont, where he took refuge in a smithy," and there surrendered the ghost. More than half the field was up at the take. 66 On the 23rd, some 200 met on Iver Heath; the deer was turned out on Fulmer Common. Black Park was the direction taken on going off, passing Fulmer to Stoke Common, on to Hedgerley, from thence to Beaconsfield, on to Chalfont St. Peter's; at Chalfont St. Giles's, he took to the water, and was killed: these casualties are much to be regretted, but all is uncertainty in love, war, and the chase. THE PUCKERIDGE. This season these hounds have had capital sport, with great plenty of foxes. On Monday, December 19th, they met at Dassels; found immediately in Turks, and, for twenty-five minutes, the pace was magnificent, over large but rather heavy fields; we then had a slight check at a cover, but he was too gallant a fellow to stop long; off he went towards Albany Park; then more to the right, behind Mr. Parry's house; across the road at Little Haddam, making for Thorley, but turned to the right to Thorley Spring and Quennels, then to Thorley Wood, where, after giving him a ring or two, he crossed the Stortford road and railway, and then the river, and was run into at Latchmore Bank, after giving a noble run of two hours and twenty minutes. Falls innumerable, and, when crossing the railway, whilst full of men and horses, a train was heard screaming away; the scampering was laughable; luckily every one escaped. B. B. The Oakley Hounds, under the management of their present committee, in which Mr. Magniac takes the lead, continue to draw large fields to partake of the good sport they have been showing during the last two months. Such hounds, in so good a country, with an abundance of foxes, and favourable weather, cannot fail of satisfying the keenest sportsmen. On the 12th of last month, they met at Clifton Spinneys, and had two very quick things, about five and twenty minutes each, scent and pace such that the foxes could not live before them. They were deprived for some little time of the services of the huntsman (George Beers) who has been ill, but is now recovered, and at work again. THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Mr. Barnett is showing as good sport with the Cambridgeshire as the country will afford. THE HAMPSHIRE. This pack has been most fortunate during the last three weeks in finding foxes of the right sort, particularly on the 15th of last month, when they met at Worthy, near Winchester. They drew two or three coverts blank, and did not find till they got to Mitcheldever Wood, which brought it nearly or quite to two o'clock. The fox then took them along at a gallant pace till dark, when they lost him (dead beat) in Parnall Wood. On the following Thursday, they met at Four Lanes, Beanworth, drew the immediate coverts, Hockley Rows and Hampnye, blank, and were trotting for Cheriton Wood, when a fox stole away from a small cover adjoining Apple Down, and was viewed by a shepherd. The hounds were laid on, and he bore away for Ropley, thence to Newton, crossed the London and Gosport turnpike, through the park in front of Chanton House, and was run into at Worldham-time two hours and five minutes, the last three miles over enclosed country, with stiff fences. THE PRIZE RING: THE MIRROR OF BRITISH CHIVALRY. "Ambubaiarum collegia, pharmacopolæ Mendici, mimæ balatrones: hoc genus omne Prigs, mace-coves, bullies, legs, levanters, greeks, FREE TRANSLATION. PUGILISM, the facility for witnessing God's image defiled, and his laws turned to scorn, fast approaches its end. Money fights have had their day too long have they been permitted to bring shame and reproach upon the national character of this country. Their "base, bloody, and brutal exhibitions" can no longer be allowed to outrage the decency of civilized life, to put villanous gains into the pockets of a few sanguinary savages. An attempt to direct public attention—and, consequently, public indignation-to the practice of prize-fighting, was certain to excite the characteristic notice of those who have so long levied a handsome toll upon its patrons and professors. In this work the effort was made, and the style of abuse with which it was straight 66 66 66 66 way honoured proved sufficiently the dismay with which "the slaves of the ring" regarded the essay. 'The editor of "Bell's Life" was especially wrath-awfully cross" wrote letters to himself-called names spat fire" in short, did all sorts of things to show how cross he was; but we cannot let him have all the crosses to himself. First, he tried to set his friend Spring at us-upon the matter of a cross." Spring was delicately reminded that there are attorneys who bring actions for libels: now, a word with the ink-bottle-holder of the ring on that point. We never accused Spring of having committed a fighting robbery, but others did, years ago and what came of it? Did he bring an action against Mr. Colborn for the libel in the "United Service Journal," wherein it is asserted that he fought a cross?" Did he bring any action-and if so, what was the result? Was he awarded heavy damages, or was he put out of court? Will the ink-bottleholder solve us that? Surely there is something about this pugilism that turns men's brains-when they have any-who dabble in it, however superficially. The "Sunday Times"-a discreet journal enough-is at feud with the "Morning Herald," because the latter having, half a century ago, published accounts of prize battles, does not continue so to do, but the rather to discountenance such matters. Is the "Morning Herald" to have no locus penitentia? Let us suppose (the case, of course, is purely hypothetical) that the editor of the " Sunday Times" were addicted to the use of strong waters: now, is that a reason he should descend "Bacchi plenus" to his tomb? Has he sold the life interest in his earthly tabernacle to the spirit of distilled liquors-made it over, in perpetuity, to punch? My friends! let us be reasonable if we can-if not as reasonable as we can. To us it seems that the present aim of the getters-up of fights is to put money in their proper purses. I leave it to any candid calculator any really honest individual, disposed to do what is fair between man and man, to say, in the late tournament on the banks of the Thames, was the Slasher beaten enough for the money? "He left the ring with merely a bruise on the right ear, in which there was some coagulated blood." May we not say, without affording grounds for an action at law, that this was a gross robbery? Were not the spectators entitled to a simple fracture at the least-say a broken thigh, with a liberal luxation thrown in for luck? Was its decent to send them away with " a little coagulated blood in the ear?" We trust no libel is indited when we say the public are of opinion that the late engagement between England and America, in the persons of their champions, Messrs. Perry and Freeman, was a sham-fight, in which the various actors were handsomely paid. We trust the managers will not think us too severe when we declare that, looking at the cost of witnessing the performance, the audience were entitled to something better got up. Considering there were several hundred pounds to be divided among the dramatis persona, there ought to have been more than thirty-five minutes' fun. The "blood-money" of the ring is too good a thing to be jeopardied by slovenly management. Of course, all future fights will be sold; but they must not be such dead bargains as of late. The contemplation of two blackguards without their shirts, however interesting, is not sufficient to satisfy the cravings of the curious in contusions. As arbitrator between the pugilistic populace and those who cater for them, we will compound for a bona fide case of manslaughter four times during the season, an average of one quart of claret to be drawn from every nose that is tapped, and nothing under a broken collar bone, when the battle money is over £50. Thus shall the gentlemen of England be secure of a fitting amusement, and the "upholders of manly British boxing" pretty pickings after paying the boxers ten per cent. on the amount of the stakes. Now will not the "cross" editor admit that, so far from exhibiting malice towards him, we evince our anxiety to promote his interests? TATTERSALL'S LIST. BETTINGS FOR DECEMBER. NEARLY fifty horses have already been backed for the Derby, and, provided there be money enough brought into the market during the spring, it will be one of the best betting races known for very many years. A powerful field is in training; and, at the close of the past month, our report from Newmarket announced that there was not a single case of sickness existing in the stables there. The favourite has kept his ground, with the slightest possible variation, up to the present date: those who stand against him, to our thinking, have the best of the speculation. Some of the ruses that have been attempted have exploded, and, before we are out of the holidays, more of the game will, probably, transpire. Aristides at 100 to 1, and 25 to 1, within a fortnight, for example, is not a bad nag for the clear-sighted; "a hit, a palpable hit." A few more are likely to come off before the month of May. |