1831.] Affairs in General. 81 



tied the question, and put the philosophers to shame. As to the fact of 

 their shunning the face of man, we see that the last pamphleteer on the 

 subject, who had handsomely conducted the Niger up the sides of the 

 great table-land of Ethiopia, across the African Alps, by tunnel, or 

 otherwise, has fled to Carlsbad ; and a newspaper tells us, that " Sir 

 Rufane Donkin was fined five pounds last week, by Lord Chief Baron 

 Lyndhurst, in the Court of Exchequer, for not attending as a special jurj-- 

 man. It was stated that he was unwell ; but, being seen about town the 

 preceding day, his absence is imputed not to ill health, but indisposi^ 

 lion." — Whether the discovery of the long-contested river, about which 

 the general wrote so ably and so positively, had any share in this, we 

 cannot say. But as he is fond of the classics, and nobody quotes better 

 we say, " Hie Niger est hunc tu Rufane caveto." 



The Emperor Nicholas is buying a racing stud. " Coming events 

 cast their shadows before." Is the Emperor discontented with the 

 speed of his Russ postilions, and anxious, in case of emergency, to be 

 able to distance mankind at the rate of fifty miles an hour. He has 

 sent to purchase not less than one hundred "good horses" — a stable 

 that would furnish him with relays as far as Kamschatka. The first 

 consignment was embarked on board the brig Catherine, lying in the 

 St. Katharine's Dock, and bound for St. Petersburgh, consisting of fif- 

 teen noble animals, including several valuable racers, purchased by Mr. 

 Anderson, of Piccadilly, on account of the Russian Ambassador. Among 

 them are Granby, winner of the St. Leger in 1829, bought for 355 

 guineas ; Red Rover, a winner of the Derby Stakes in the same year ; 

 Miss Chance, winner of the Oaks in 1830; Jupiter, Tam O'Shanter, 

 and others of good pedigree ; besides three from the celebrated stud of 

 Blr. Lyne Stevens, of Leicestershire. All the horses are in excellent 

 condition ; and the stalls and accommodations prepared for them in the 

 hold of the vessel are of a superior description ; and, exclusive of two 

 Russian grooms, a native of England, and a veterinary surgeon, also go 

 out in attendance on the animals. The value of the fifteen horses is 

 not much less than £5,000, and the expense of their transmission to St. 

 Petersburgh will not amount to less than £500 more. 



What a confoundedly locomotive age this is. Our farmers are going 

 off by the thousand to the Canadas ; our attorneys, dandies, and unmar- 

 riable daughters, packing up by whole regiments for New South 

 Wales, and the "parts adjacent;" and now our horses are emigrating 

 to the dominions of the Czar. Why does no friend of freedom inquire 

 into the transaction ? The natives of the land of habeas corpus, trial 

 '^y jury, and liberty of the press, are conveyed on board the Catherine, 

 and destined to spend their lives under the sway of a despot. Here 

 every day witnesses this " noble animal the horse" in our courts of law ; 

 our horse actions are perpetual, and many a toiling council pleads about 

 them with not half the brains of his client. There a horse's only actions 

 will be in his four legs, and he will have to bear the burthen of a despot 

 besides. Where is Martin, the friend of asses, now ? — but cruelty- 

 Martin sleeps, and the day of quadruped glory is no more — the day of 

 chivalry is no more — a day of horse-dealers and ambassadors, grooms 

 and emperors has succeeded. The sun of the Hoimnhymns is set— 

 the fame of Newmarket is gone for ever ! 



BI.M. New Series Vol. XII. No. O7. M 



