A MONTH AT CHELTENHAM, WITH A GLANCE AT MR. THEOBALD'S STAGHOUNDS. BY PEEP-O'DAY BOY. There are few pleasanter watering places for a sportsman with a small stud, who is fond of amusement, to take up his abode in for the season, than Cheltenham. Its situation, its vicinity to so many packs of hounds, the salubrity of its air, and the variety of enjoyments to be met within its circle, render it, in my estimation, second only to Leamington as hunting quarters. The hotels are numberless, have acquired an European reputation, and are adapted to all descriptions of visitors. The Plough, Queen, Imperial, and George, are the chief resorts of the sporting men; while to those "who are falling into the sere and yellow leaf," the worthy and respectable host of the Belle Vue offers unusual advantages. Like all watering places, both ancient and modern, it has been denounced as being "castis inimica puallis," and with the aptness of the quotation I am not disposed to quarrel. Hence perhaps its selection as the chief scene of action for the operations of enthusiastic evangelical curates, of whose sayings and doings more anon. On a fine afternoon in winter the promenade of Cheltenham presents one of the gayest scenes I have witnessed out of London, forcibly recalling to my recollection that of Long-Champs of Paris, the Prater of Vienna, the Chiaje of Naples, or the Unter den Linden of Berlin. There, under the shade of the trees, may be seen the worn out Indian hero, guarding with a jealous eye his jewel of a daughter from the insidious attacks of the handsome Irish adventurer, who is ever her Lord in Waiting. There also you meet with the aristocratic fox-hunter in his scarlet coat, the ascetic curate, the intriguante widow, and the designing Miss, whose efforts to procure a settlement for herself are as amusing, ingenious, and indefatigable, as those of the needy tradesman "who has a bill to take up on Friday "-the day, by-the-bye, on which the bills of dunns invariably fall due. Mingling with these also you run against a fashionable escamoteur, a sainted maiden busy in the pursuit of saving souls, and the young man in a shooting jacket and cigar, waiting for Lord Fitzroy's ratification of his commission. This last class of young men flourish exceedingly at Cheltenham, and their assurance in laying siege to the hearts of the fairest belles in the ball room, merely upon the strength of that polished nobleman's promise, "that he would forward their views," would fully qualify them for the post of directors of "The Modest Assurance Company." And let me here observe that of all the assurance companies which catch the eye in the pages of the Directories of the day, none are more extensive in its ramifications and agencies than this, and its profits if properly laid before the public would truly astonish them. But the Cheltenham mothers are difficult to deal with, and still more difficult to talk over. No Magpie on a wall is more wary than some of the turbaned Dowagers who occupy the second row of benches in the assembly rooms. Night after night they are to be found at their posts, combining in their operations all the caution of a Hardinge with the bravery of a Napier. But it is with the sporting rather than the fashionable doings of this watering place, that I have to treat of; therefore let us turn from Venus to Diana. Fortunately the fame of Lord Fitzhardinge and his hounds is by this time so universal, that any allusion to them, beyond the mention of their having had an excellent season, might be deemed impertinent and uncalled for. Not recollecting, however, to have seen in print any description of Mr. Theobald's stag-hounds and establishment, it strikes me that a slight sketch might not be wholly out of place at the present time. Mr. Theobald's stag-hounds, to which the sportsmen of Cheltenham are so much indebted for enlivening their beautiful and saint-ridden town, were originally formed from the well-known pack of Captain Thompson, and have been subsequently strengthened and increased by crosses from the favourite blood of the Belvoir, Cottesmore, Lord Chesterfield's, Lord Fitzhardinge's, Sir Richard Sutton's, and Baron Rothschild's. From the opportunities which were afforded me of witnessing them both in the kennel and the field, I can fearlessly assert that in dash, speed, and stoutness, they are to be surpassed by no pack in England. In the selection of a huntsman Mr. Theobald has been peculiarly fortunate; Sam Richards, for such he is designated, is a perfect curiosity in his way; original in his manners, devotedly attached to his hounds, an adept in his art, he sticks like gutta percha to his pack, in whatever country they may chance to run across. It is universally admitted he is not to be beaten under any circumstances, and from what I myself saw, I am thoroughly convinced of the truth of the remark. As some of my readers may be desirous of learning from whence so great an original has sprung, I think I may as well state that he began life as a farmer; but the times proving unfavourable, and his tastes inclining more towards the pursuits of Diana, he entered the service of Mr. Sharpe, whose harriers he hunted for upwards of fifteen years. Upon this gentleman's giving up the hounds to the celebrated Captain Thompson, late of the 13th Light Dragoons, he accompanied them, and upon his retirement he followed them to the lamented Lord Hill, whose melancholy and untimely death must be fresh in the memory of the majority of hunting men. After this sad catastrophe Mr. Theobald became the proprietor of the pack, Sam still continuing the faithful attendant on their fortunes. James Lowe, the head whip, is a young man, born, bred, and reared in the Theobald kennel, to which he is now an ornament. He is an elegant horseman, possessing great nerve, a firm seat, good hands, and excellent judgment. The second whip, William Walker, is also a hard man across a country, and a valuable servant. The pack consists of 27 couple of hunting hounds; and in the deer paddocks I perceived nearly twenty red deer in splendid condition, some of them however bearing evidence to their recent gallopades across the Cotswold hills. From the kennel department our transition to the stable is as natural as that of a young duke at Eton to Christchurch. From the well known courtesy of the spirited master I was afforded an opportunity of strolling through his stables, and a pleasanter lounge for a sportsman could not be well imagined. Mr. Theobald's stud consists of 22 horses, eight of which were first class weight-carrying hunters, and of these I cannot refrain from noticing the following:-Warwick, a chesnut gelding by The Shaver; displaying a great deal of blood, with an immensity of bone and substance, and an especial favourite with his master. Prima Donna, a chestnut mare, by Plenipo, dam by Buzzard, standing 16 hands high, remarkably like her sire, and although her first season with hounds, gave evidence of her high descent. The Old English Gentleman was another young horse whose form was such as to attract my immediate attention; from inquiries I made respecting him I learnt he was bred in Suffolk, by Lord Stradbroke's Alpheus, out of a well-bred hunting mare. The Jew, an importation from Baron Rothschild's stud, and perhaps one of the most perfect hunters a master of hounds was ever blessed with; purchased some two years back from Bartley, the equestrian bootmaker, of Oxford-street, for a mere bagatelle, he has earned a reputation which has procured for him the offer of many a long-tailed cheque; but the reply of his owner was invariably that of Lord Westminster to the agents of the United States, when they were so anxious to transport Touchstone to their shores. Forester, by Robinhood, is one of the most magnificent-shaped horses I ever clapped my eye on as regards symmetry and breeding he is alone equalled by Recovery, and his stable companion Dulcet is also deserving of especial notice. Field Marshal and Goody Two Shoes struck me as being horses any master of hounds would feel glad at seeing in his stables. There was also an uncommonly promising colt called Norton, by Melbourne, dam by Cain, which I think Judge Clark will speak favourably of next year. And now a word for a few of the principal performers in this popular pack. Of Mr. Theobald, the master, it is superfluous to speak: suffice it to say that his aptitude for the sport, conciliatory manners, liberality of feeling, and desire to promote the sport of his friends and subscribers, testified not only in this country but in several others, has rendered his management more popular and successful than that of any other gentleman who has been placed in a similar position. Among the fairer portion of the creation I learnt he was an especial favourite, as may be evidenced by the elegant and appropriate present made to him, by them, of the gold couples, the proper insignia of his office. When out one day with him in the field I was much gratified at witnessing the good feeling and cordiality which appeared to exist between him and the yeomen, and I was likewise pleased to hear him state how sensibly he felt himself indebted to this valuable body of men for the assistance they had rendered him, and the kindness they had evinced in over-looking the zeal of those whose youth and inexperience in the field led them to trespass somewhat severely on their good nature. At the same time the following lines, not so well known as they deserve to be, flitted across my mind: "Attend, ye farmers, to this tale; And when ye mend the broken rail, The country folks from whence he sprung; That steed perchance by you was bred, Nor rashly curse the Hunting Squire." Of the merits of the huntsman and whip I have before made honourable mention, therefore a few of the leading members of the hunt alone remain to be dealt with. Of these, Mr. Penrose struck me, for a heavy weight to be an excellent performer, while his convivial manners always rendered him a welcome visitor at the covert side. The Messrs. Le Terrierre are capital and genuine sportsmen, combining with extraordinary nerve a rare knowledge of pace and an accurate acquaintance with the country they travel over. The manner in which Mr. William Le Terrierre handled an animal of Sir John Malcolm's, in a steeple chase in the neighbourhood, would have reflected no disgrace on a Mason or an Oliver. Mr. Esdaile, for a light weight, goes extremely well, but at times is uncertain. Mr. Cade is a warm supporter of the chase, and for his years and weight few will be found to beat him. Mr. Curwen is an old and accomplished sportsman, quite au fait in the field. Sir John Malcolm, a promising young one, who has entered well, and bids fair to be a good sportsman, Capt. Jones is a man very difficult to beat. Capt. Fraser, 4th Dragoons, would go well in any country. Col. Whyte, late of the 7th Hussars, although a welter weight, I always saw in the first flight, and may be denominated a brilliant horseman. There was a Mr. Chapman, a dealer, whose style of riding pleased me amazingly, and who, I understood, was much respected in the town. Those celebrated steeple-chasers, Oliver, Archer, and Holman, are constant attendants; and their presence in the field, by creating a creditable rivalry, adds much to the excitement of the runs. Selecting for my visit the period of the steeple-chases, I must be permitted to indulge in a few observations respecting them. On their being first originated they met with considerable opposition from those who, with mistaken enthusiasm, strew fire and flame in the paths of our innocent amusements. The subscribers to them were denounced from the pulpit, and all the secret springs of clerical machinery put in force to break them off. But the good sense and the sporting spirit, which animate a majority of the inhabitants, prevailed over canting hypocrisy, and resolving no longer to submit to the close yoke which had already galled them somewhat severely, by redoubled exertion they succeeded in getting up an excellent Meeting, and laying the foundation for an Annual one on a more extensive scale. What a pity it is that these renowned ministers cannot be brought to believe that the doctrines by which we hope for reward are friendly to harmless recreations, and opposed to that squalid superstition which would strip society of its pleasures, and defraud mirth of its smile! The thorn grows with the rose, and vice will intrude among men; but he is a bold man who adds to the severity of God, and thinks we stand more in need of his justice than his mercy. These observations may appear somewhat out of character in a magazine; but having their origin solely in the furious attacks made upon field sports by the great guns in the Cheltenham pulpits, I trust I may be pardoned for inflicting them on the reader. The steeple chases, so much the topic of discussion, and which were under the stewardship of Capt. Dickson, Mr. Letsam Elliott, and Mr. Penrose, came off on the 7th and 8th February, on a very prettily laid out course in the valley of Prestbury, about a mile and a half from the town. The fences were more than usually severe, and some of them might with reason have been objected to. The air was cold and biting; but being fine overhead, the delays which occurred between the different races were patiently submitted to by even the gentler sex, who mustered more strongly than might have been anticipated. A few of the Leamington division were present, and nearly all the hunting-men in the county were visible; but with the exception of "The Leviathan Bookmaker," not a single metropolitan professional disturbed the air by his lungs. A comfortable stand was erected for the accommodation of the spectators, and the view which it afforded of the country was worthy of the pencil of a Burford. The first race of the day was The Grand Annual Handicap of 20 sovs., h. ft., with 100 added; the winner to pay 20 sovs. towards expenses, the second to save his stake; four miles (18 subscribers, of whom 7 paid 5 sovs. ft., and 4 10 sovs. each). For this the following horses were found at the post when the bell rang, and I give their names as they were returned in the official lists. ... ... ... 1 2 3 Mr. Oliver's Pullaway, by Backston, 11st. 21b. (Griffiths) Mr. Vever's Vengeance, 10st. (Oliver) Mr. Kitton's Link boy, 10st. 61b. (owner) Capt. Barnett's Boxkeeper, 10st. 8lb. (Frisby), Mr. King's Kathleen, 10st. 4lb. (Archer), Mr. Bretherton's Equinox, 10st. 4lb. (owner), Mr. Cartwright's Justice to England, 10st. 2lb. (W. Holman), started, but were not placed. From the previous performances of Vengeance, coupled with the fact of his having Oliver for his pilot, as little as 2 to 1 was taken about him, and in some instances even a shorter price was not refused. Justice to England had a straggling friend here or there; while such was the contempt in which Pullaway was held, notwithstanding his form was perfection, that he was merely backed for nine sovereigns. Four of these were placed upon him by Scott, the clever veterinary surgeon of the Prestbury establishment of Oliver's; and five by a youth, who, ignorant of preconcerted arrangements, and fancying from seeing Oliver's name attached to him, that he would ride him, actually took 25 to 5 about him, from a gentleman, who I heard congratulating his friend that he had just got his expenses. The prejudice likewise against the winner was much increased by its becoming known he was to be ridden by an amateur from Oxford, whose real name, for clerical reasons, it is as well not to mention. Kathleen at starting made strong running with Justice to England in close attendance, and the rest in a cluster behind. Mr. Cartwright's horse, however, refusing the fence near the stand, his place was taken by Vengeance, who on coming to the second flight of rails, struck them with such force as to inflict a compound fracture, extending from the upper rail to the lower, and all but unshipped Oliver, whose horsemanship was never more apparent. He still persevered, |