and the novelty of the ceremony to him affords a reason for his not going off with that wildness which may be generally expected by a more experienced animal. On being enlarged, the bewildered creature was frequently headed by the foot-people, who had congregated in considerable numbers. At length he went away in the direction of North Marston; and the hounds were laid on the scent, which was not a good one. Some perplexity arose from the foiled state of the ground, the deer having headed back several times under the hedgerows, before he could make up his mind what course to take. Much praise is due to the steadiness and perseverance of the hounds under these difficulties. From North Marston, the deer turned to the right, and came back to the point where he was enlarged. The pace then began to improve; and they rattled him along, by Quainton, to Middle Claydon, where he was secured. A second deer, recently procured from Sir Clifford Constable, was then provided, and the doors of his carriage opened for him near to the spot where the sport of the day commenced. The scent had greatly improved; and after a sharp scurry, he was taken at North Marston. Mr. Hall had kindly provided me with a second horse; but I did not find it necessary to avail myself of his services, for the mare which I rode was perfectly fresh when the second deer was taken-a most unequivocal proof of her condition: but, generally, second horses are essentially necessary for staghunting, with a good strong deer and a favourable scent.

The liberality of Baron Rothschild is not confined to the costly maintenance of this magnificent staghunting establishment, but is extended to the farmers of the Vale of Aylesbury, over whose land he hunts, in prizes for agricultural produce. A silver cup is given by the Baron to the breeder, being a farmer or tradesman, of the best yearling colt or filly; and the Baroness Meyer de Rothschild presents a silver teapot to the exhibitor of the four best pens of poultry, preference being given to the most useful sorts-a most admirable condition, inasmuch as the costly breeds of Cochin China and other fashionable varieties are not entitled to rewards which they may be unworthy of. The Baroness also gives a prize of five pounds to the dairymaid who has lived for the longest period of time upon the same farm. The reward for poultry is a most admirable idea; and the example might be followed in foxhunting countries with much conciliation and advantage. It would be a most acceptable mode of compensating farmers' wives for any loss which they might sustain from the foxes, and, being presented by the ladies, would be received as a most gracious, pleasing, and flattering testimonial. A subscription is also made by the gentlemen who hunt with the Baron's hounds, to present the farmers of the Vale with silver cups, who show the best cows, heifers, cart-horses, ewes, sows, &c., &c., with money to the shepherds and cow-men who are worthy of the acceptable memento, by their assiduity in their respective callings. The last of these popular exhibitions took place on the 12th of April, under the stewardship of the Hon. Robert Grimston; Samuel Baker, Esq.; Cheslyn Hall, Esq.; G. Robins, Esq.; and Jas. Rhodes, Esq.: Mr. Hall undertaking the active duties of honorary secretary. Baron Rothschild's cup was awarded to Mr. William Baylis, of Maynes Hill, for the best yearling colt, by Ribston Pippin. Mr. Terry, of Aylesbury, carried off the prize given by the Baroness de Rothschild for poultry;

and his neighbour, Mr. J. Fowler, of the Subendal Farm, and also of the White Hart hotel, the honour of high commendation. The fortunate competitors for the cups given by the gentlemen who hunt with these hounds were-Mrs. Griffin, of Tring Folly, to whom the first was awarded on behalf of an in-calf cow, in which class there were twenty-eight candidates for fame; Mr. Isaac Hunt, of Hardwick, for a yearling heifer; Mr. Frederick Carpenter, of North Marston, for a cart stallion; Mr. Thomas Woodman, of Littlecote, for a cart mare. Mrs. Griffin also obtained another cup, as companion to the one accorded to her cow, by the superior merit of a yearling cart colt. Mr. John Badrick, of Bierton, for his longwoolled ewes and lambs; Mr. William Eustace, of Bierton, for his half-bred ewes ; Mr. Alfred Lee, of Haddenham, for a sow; Mr. George Underwood, of Little Gaddesden, for a young sow pig. Mary Willis, if not the most antiquated dairymaid, being the least disposed to roaming, and most attached to her employer's service, was declared entitled to the reward offered by the Baroness; James Hulsey proved himself to be the most careful and successful shepherd; and Thomas Bessington the most deserving of cowherds, having worked 53 years on the same farm. A plate of 40 sovs. is also given, for horses the property of farmers residing within the limits of country hunted over by Baron Rothschild and Lord Lonsdale's hounds. This event took place at the Mentmore Steeplechases, on the 5th of April, over four miles of country, and excited much local interest. It was won by Mr. Bennett's Polly, ridden by the owner, beating five others. Considering the influx of visitors attracted to the Vale of Aylesbury during the hunting season by the staghounds, the farmers have great cause for gratitude to the Baron, independent of all these acts of liberality, which do not end with what have been enumerated. A clever and useful thorough-bred stallion is provided for the use of mares the property of farmers over whose lands the staghounds are accustomed to hunt; and his services are accorded "gratis.

Aylesbury-the Eglesbury of the Saxons-is of great antiquity. It was originally a strong British town, and maintained its independence till the year 571, when it was reduced by Cuthwalf, brother to Cealwin, King of the West Saxons. It has kept its ground in the march of improvement, and affords all the accommodations usually met with in county towns, with the additional advantage of possessing attractions, for hunting, unequalled by any other town at an equivalent distance from London. Surrounded by a fertile tract of grass, said to consist of the richest land in the kingdom, it holds a capital scent, and is a delightful country to ride over. Besides the staghounds, Lord Southampton's, Mr. Drake's, and Mr. Phillips's hounds are within reach, and occasionally Lord Dacre's. The accommodation to metropolitan visitors would be greatly enhanced by a slight alteration in the arrangement of the trains; and surely it can only be necessary to make that known to the Directors, who are on all occasions most considerate of the convenience of sportsmen. By putting on a train from Tring in connexion with the express which leaves London at 9:15, sportsmen would arrive at Aylesbury about 10:30, which would afford them ample time to meet the Baron's and Lord Southampton's after Mr. Drake's, and occasionally the South Oxfordshire Hounds. The accommodation would be mutually advantageous to the London sportsmen, the railway shareholders, and

the worthy inhabitants of Aylesbury.

None of the other towns, within

an equal distance from London, are surrounded by so good a country, or so well situated for the favourite places of meeting. During my visit, I was admirably entertained at the White Hart, kept by Mr. John Fowler, where Mr. Cheslyn Hall, Mr. Baker, and their friends occupy apartments throughout the season.

Without professing to have had much experience in staghunting, I fancy some improvement might be introduced in the custom of enlarging the stags. It is usual to bring the deer-cart to the place of meeting, although the spot where he is enlarged may be at some little distanceprobably a mile or so. The consequence of this is, that the foot-people move off with the cart, and create much confusion by heading the deer as soon as he is released. This might, as I imagine, be obviated by ordering the driver to go direct to the place, to be there punctually to an appointed time, and immediately on his arrival liberate his charge. The enthusiasm of a burst is curtailed if the object of the chase, whether fox or stag, does not go straight away on first breaking covert, if the former animal, or on being released, in case of the latter; and to ensure this desideratum, I conceive an old hound might be laid on with good effect, in the event of the deer being disposed to loiter. Of course, the hound so used must be trained, kept solely for this purpose, and stopped before the pack is laid on.

On the day after I met the staghounds at Denham Hill, there was nothing to be done in the way of hunting, as there was no other pack within reach. There was no difficulty, however, in passing away the time, a second inspection of the stud affording an agreeable occupation of the morning. Such hunters as Neasdon, by Tearaway, The Performer, Corporal, and the Tipton Slasher will bear frequent inspection. The latter, a dark brown horse, is one of the most perfect young ones, only five years old, it has ever been my good fortune to see-equal to great weight, with nice light action.

As I have before observed, it has been somewhat dogmatically asserted that first-rate hunters cannot be procured on any terms-a declaration which is confuted by these examples. The Barons de Rothschild, Mr. Cheslyn Hall, and Mr. Baker have met with them, though doubtless at a high rate of exchange. The greatest difficulty is to find horses in condition, without which symmetry, action, power, and breeding are but imperfect qualities. If breeders would attend to this, and follow the plans adopted at the Dudding Hill stud-farm, they would find it much to their interest; and the public would be gainers, inasmuch as they would be able to procure useful and valuable horses. The young stock bred by the Messrs. Hall, when three years old, are taken into the hunting stables, where they go through the process of breaking, during which they are taught to leap, and the other little accomplishments necessary to the perfection of a hunter. At four years old they are ridden to meet hounds, and kept out occasionally, by which means the succeeding season they are in perfect condition, and fit to perform their work. Contrasting this with the very common custom of not breaking young hunters till they are four years old, it may be supposed an expensive system; but that is an erroneous impression, because in those cases they are not entitled to the distinctions of hunters till they are six years old, by which means a year's keep is sacrificed. The

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ability, care, and attention bestowed by Mr. Hall's stud-groom is amply testified by the young stock, as well as those of mature age.

At all times anxious to obtain a few wrinkles, it may be naturally supposed I availed myself of so good an opportunity, by interrogating Mr. Oliver on some of the principal subjects connected with the treatment of the horses under his care; and to all my questions he replied with the utmost frankness. It would be a gross breach of confidence if, on being shown through the stables of a friend, without any restriction or reservation, I were to publish the treatment adopted in the event of a damaged leg or any other casual lameness. Much as I would repudiate such proceedings, on this occasion it was out of my power; for there were not any visible symptoms throughout the stud. Legs so cool and sinews so firm I certainly never met with among an equal number of horses. That all horses ridden with hounds-which these are, in the fullest acceptation of the term-must be subservient to occasional blows on their legs, and the effects of thorns and stubs, must be evident to all sportsmen. Knowing that such disasters cannot be avoided, it is the province of an experienced groom to adopt the most effective measures to restore the injured parts. How is this accomplished? By stimulating embrocations, which assail the olfactory nerves immediately on entering the stable, and, what is still worse, excite the previously-inflamed limb? No. The superior condition of the animals renders them less subservient to the effects of inflammation, and the parts submit to the mild operation of a cooling application. How, then, is this enviable condition produced? By frequent doses of physic, alteratives, and diuretics? No. It is accomplished by judicious exercise and appropriate food, rejecting grass and all kinds of succulent herbage in the summer, which renders the blood viscid or impure, and by abstaining from the use of pernicious alterative or diuretic

nostrums.

Most large towns boast of their lions. In London they are multifarious. York and Lincoln have their cathedrals; Coventry is celebrated for the manufacture of ribbons, Birmingham for hardware. Aylesbury rejoices in lions of a very peaceable nature-the beautiful white ducks which take their characteristic cognomen from the place. Having an hour or two to spare, I was anxious to visit one of these nessotrophii, to which the landlord of the White Hart undertook to introduce me. The most celebrated breeder of these interesting and delicious birds is a man named Weston, who conducts his duckery on the most approved plans. One of the principal endeavours is, to have young ducks at a very early season, to supply the London markets. To accomplish this, the old birds are kept very hard-anglicé, short of food-during the latter part of the summer, and early in autumn: they are then fed very high, which induces them to commence laying; and to facilitate this, the houses in which they are kept are heated by means of hotwater pipes. Thus treated, numbers of them are in condition to sit before Christmas; and there were numerous broods of ducklings hatched by Valentine's day. It is calculated that they are fit to be killed at six weeks old, for which purpose they are fed on the most nourishing and forcing food, which, I believe, is composed principally of barleymeal and boiled liver or other flesh, together with a portion of fat; but in this there appears to be some little secret, which, being the man's

peculiar property, it would have been inconsistent in me to have pryed

into.

The poultry fashion has extended to Aylesbury, beyond the rearing of ducks; and Mr. Fowler took me to see some celebrated CochinChinas and Dorkings belonging to Mr. Terry, many of which have obtained prizes. I cannot persuade myself to admire the former variety of fowls-no doubt it is evidence of want of taste; but the Dorkings I thought very highly of. They are fine large birds, with short legsthe reverse of the Cochin-Chinas. The perfection of poultry is far from being attained; and I believe, after all, some of the best of the common sorts are the most useful. Those of the pure-bred varieties which are abundant layers will not sit; those which are good sitters are shy layers; but there are many of a common or mixed breed which possess all the good qualities, and by carefully drafting those which are prone to bad properties, the most useful breed of poultry may be easily

established.

Having passed the morning very agreeably, enjoyed a capital dinner at the White Hart, a pair of Mr. Fowler's quick posters conveyed me to Leighton Buzzard in good time for the mail train, to meet Mr. Henry Hall, and accompany him to his hospitable hunting-quarters at Kilsby, where we arrived soon after midnight; and as hunting with the Pytchley was the order for the following day, I must wish my readers a "good night," and resume my next communication with that far-famed pack.

(To be continued)

THE ENGLISH

AND HIS

COUNTRY GENTLEMAN

AMUSEMENTS.

BY MARTINGALE.

Lord John Russell never spoke a greater truth than when he declared that he knew not a higher or a better position than that of an English country gentleman, possessed of an ample estate-a position in which he is looked up to by his tenants, to whom he is enabled to do acts of gratitude and benevolence; having enough business to occupy his time, and enough leisure for literature and for his amusements. Such a man, indeed, is most fortunate. He is enabled to build up the brightest reputation on an imperishable foundation, and to transmit it unsullied to his successor. He possesses within his own sphere all the means of rational and healthful enjoyments, as well as the appliances of substantial usefulness. If he is ardently attached to the sports of the field, he can participate in their pleasures in the most agreeable and delightful manner. He can freely range through his own magnificent woods, and over his own. fruitful fields; by the margin of his own lakes, or along the banks of his own streams. He can, too, possess the companionship of spirits