106 
miles, the river flows through the grounds of Ford Abbey 
and of Earl Poulett, which is strictly preserved. Ford Abbey 
is the property of Mr. Miles, an ancient structure, and is 
renowned for its splendid tapestry of the cartoons of Raphael, 
supposed to have been captured from a Spanish galleon in 
the reign of Queen Anne. Mrs. Allan, in her history of 
this abbey, states, that the Empress Catherine, of Russia, 
offered thirty thousand pounds for these cartoons. There is 
some very curious and Gobelin tapestry in one of the bed- 
rooms. Below Tytherleigh Bridge the river is again free to 
the fishermen, through the town of Axmiuster to the sea. 
The visitor will find very good accommodation at the inns 
at Crewkerne and Axmiuster ; and very good flies and fish- 
ing tackle at the establishments of Messrs. Pulinan, of the 
same towns. 
The Barle rises in the forest of Exmoor, a wild romantic 
waste in the extreme western part of the county of Somerset, 
and flows through the town of Dulverton, which is fifteen 
miles from the Tiverton station on the Great Western Rail- 
way. This town is most beautifully situated in a valley, sur- 
rounded by hills covered with wood. 
From its remoteness from any greut thoroughfare it is but 
little connected with events of historical importance ; it is 
one of the remaining parts of England whore the forest deer 
and the black game are found in their native wilds. It is 
the very home for a sportsman. The fisherman can take 
his choice of two noble rivers, and numerous streams, all 
well stocked with trout, and the huntsman can select from 
the staghound, the foxhound, or harrier, for his day s 
sport. The Barle, after pussing through Dulverton, joins 
the Exe. 
The Exe also rises in the forest of Exmoor, and flows near 
the towns of Dulverton and Bampton, and through Tiverton 
and the city of Exeter into the seu at Exmouth. Good ac- 
commodation can he obtained at all the places named, 
and at most of the villages by the water-side. 
I should recommend the fisherman to commence at Tiver- 
ton and fish up the Exe, on to the forest, and hack by the 
Barle to Dulverton. 
In a secluded and beautiful spot on the banks of the Exe, 
about two miles from Dulverton, are the ruins of Barlinch 
Prion’, endowed by William de Say for the order of 
Black Canons : it was an appendage to Glastonbury Abbey. 
In my next I will give the names of the fishermen, 
residing on the Barle and Exe, who are in the habit of 
accompanying gentlemen ; also, a few words on some of the 
tributary streams, and the flies I am in the habit of using. 
I remain, sir, yours, &c., J- U. J* 
giotitcj) of §noIiS. 
The Botanist's ir ord-book. By George Macdonald, 
Esq., and James Allen, Ph. D. Reeve, and Co. 
Two editors to such a little book looks like an over- 
powering amount of strength ; but when we come to 
consider the very scientific nature of the subject, any fear 
connected with the proverbial wisdom in “too many cooks” 
vanishes. This will prove a useful hand-book, and may 
assist many a young lady to speak with precision about her 
favourites of the flower-bed — while to the learned in Botany, 
it will, no doubt, afford a convenient book of reference on 
a small scale. The scientific terms are printed in a bold, 
distinct type, and the great advantage of the work consists 
in the care with which the derivation of all the words is 
given. 
Handley Cross , or Mr. Jorrocks' Hunt. Bradbury and 
Evans. 
The last two numbers of this amusing serial are rich in the 
pictorial facetiae, which no one knows so well as Leech how 
to produce. One large engraving is a most mirth-provok- 
ing ►cene — “ The Meet at Mr. Mulcygrub’s.” The “ ’ound>,” 
as Mr. Jorrocks calls them, have invaded the stiff and 
starched dining-room of the retired staymaker, and every- 
thing is falling a victim to their voracity and impetuosity — 
the children scattered in all directions on the floor, the 
6 taymaker upset, and the Stilton cheese in the clutches of 
four hounds, who have got on to the table for the purposes 
of plunder. 
The chapter which introduces Mr. Marmaduke Muley- 
grub, and describes the dinner party which he gives in 
honour of the master of the hounds, is capital Nothing 
can be more entertaining than the shocks which the vulgar 
huntsman is constantly inflicting on the upstart )ittlenes>es 
of Mr 6 . Muleygrub ’6 dinner arrangements ; and the cross 
purposes of the ill-assorted guests, each with a subject of his 
own utterly at variance with that of his neighbour, is very 
well done. 
Sporting Magazine for February. Messrs. Rogerson and 
Tuxford, 240, strand. 
Although, as a matter of course, its bunting space is a 
complete blank, this is, on the whole, a very fair number. 
“The Frozen-out Fox H unters” is written in Scribble’s 
best style, and describes the appalling miseries of the fra- 
ternity, under their recent dispensation, from Binks, who 
looks so wretched under it that his friends think it must be 
“ love or liver” down to Sparks, who “ has just discovered 
that his favourite mare is io foal, end is in such a rage, that 
he swears the frost did it.” Lord William Lennox 
takes his “ Earnest Atherley” right gaily through the hu- 
mours of a contested election ; and Cecil briDgs his sound 
practical knowledge to bear on the subject of roaring. 
“The Country Parson” forms the fourth sketch from The 
Decid’b portfolio of “Country Crayons,” and his Gil- 
crux is certainly a man after our own heart. 
The number is embellished with two engravings, one of 
th»m a portrait of Feank Butler, after Harry Hall, 
who certainly catches the likeness and seat of a jockey in a 
style which has, perhaps, never been equalled. In this 
nstance, however, the likeness is hardly equal to those we 
THE FIELD. 
have seen by the same artist, but that is amply made up 
for by tlie careful and spirited biography by Castor, which 
accompanies it. 
Adventures of Dick Diminy. the Jochey. By Priam. 
No. V. “Racing Times ” Office, 300, Strand. 
Not content with the first-class prophetic laurels of his 
] 80 1 -63 seasons, Priam does not suffer his pen to cool during 
the winter months ; and these warm-looking little serials 
are the result of his labours. “ Bits of Turf,” especially the 
descriptions of the Newmarket Theatre, and “ The Course 
at Cock Crow,” showed that he was equally at home among 
the foot lights and the fieldftires, and therefore no one was 
more qualified to put his hand to a raciDg novel. There is 
so much varied character among the class of men popularly 
entitled “ Turfites,” that it is impossible to look round the 
ring and the outsiders at Newmarket, without seeing all the 
dramatis personce of a novel made to the hand. Hence, 
tliero is not a character in this novel whose original does 
not at once flash upon the mind, of even a not very regular 
attendant at races. We should like, however, to have seen 
cme of them much less unfavourably drawn. With this 
exception, the book, as far as it has gone, has amused us 
mightily, and there is just sufficient slang in it to make the 
characters nutural, which, considering the strength of the 
temptation, is no ordinary, but rather a double merit. Mr. 
St. Leger Bolt’s expulsion from the drawing-room, at 
Barhournc Grange, andjhis masterly mode of explaining away 
that process to Dick; his doing the station-master out of 
the railway tickets, and his subsequent success as a tipster, 
are very graphically worked up. Still wo like best such 
little touches of nature as those which toll how Mrs. Diminy 
defied “ the rural, ' and would 6 iand clasping the winning 
post, to 6 ee her Dick win liis first race; and how Sally 
Maggs, and Thomus, and Betsy the cook, “ wished to have 
Mister Act jeon’s tip, which she hoped was jenny wine, which 
they felt inclined to put something on, leastways Thomas, 
&c.,” who it seems had to do his betting on the 6 ly on 
Wednesday evenings. St. Leger Bolt is our favourite cha- 
racter, and plays the cool, comic villain to perfection, while 
Bob Chinnery is the low comedian. The picture of the 
latter on a table, taking a general survey of his booted legs 
in a pier glass, preparatory to some equestrian exercises, is 
capitally hit off; and though we don’t at all wish to hail Mr. 
R. 0. in the flesh, we heartily hope to see this little red 
visitor on our editorial table, for many a month to come. 
Horsemanship ; or, The Art of Ruling and Managing a 
Horse. Bv Captain Richardson. Longmans. 
There is a science inevery thing! and it appears from the 
author of this well-looking book, that in riding, as in every- 
thing else, we English people have stumbled into a bad 
system, because we won’t be taught a good one. We cer- 
tainly are the most inveterate amateurs on the face of the 
earth. “There is scarcely a groom in the land who does 
not consider himself a most excellent horseman.” Napoleon 
said if he had our horses he could easily beat our men, be- 
cause they were such detestable riders. 
The work before us is a useful and straightforward lesson- 
book, containing instructions for the road and field ; ami for 
the treatment and breaking of horses; with four excellent 
steel engravings, showing the proper seat for a gentleman 
and a lady. There is also an excellent portrait of Loid 
Sefton and his horse, to the former of whom the book is 
dedicated. Mr. Muleygrub may read this work with ad- 
vantage, but, with the author, we advise him not to appear 
at cover side or in the pack merely on the strength of this 
mental exercise, but to incorporate a little professional and 
practical instruction therewith. 
The Rival Houses of the Hobbs' and Hobbs'. By Crochet 
Crayon. Routledge. 
Another of Messrs. Routledge’s little green novels, that 
appear so small on the outside, but contain so large an 
amount of reading wherewith to beguile the tedious hours 
in which we scamper through the country by express trains, or 
which we should otherwise employ in invective against 
managers, because we drawl through it in slow ones. 
The Mobbs’.’and Dobbs’, or the Dressmakers and the Dress- 
wearers, is a very readable novel of modern life, with the 
usual incidents of the struggles of parvenus into society ; 
a largo amount of legal rascality, and a commendable 
quantify of commiseration for the slaves of modern society — 
the poor and oppressed milliners’ girls ; and all these ordinary 
elements of a hook of its clas 6 used in a pleasant way, with- 
out containing anything very new or striking, it will fulfil 
its proposed destiny of amusing an idle hour. 
Ladies' Companion. Rogerson and Tuxford. 
A very entertaining number is this of February, and 
illustrated, moreover, with a sportincr plate, as well as with 
the usual coloured leaf of fashions. We are glad to see that 
a subject, well fitted for “The Field” itself, has found a 
place in the “ Ladies’ Companion.” In a newspaper, or in 
a magazine, we have never found the fair 6 ex complain of a 
sporting subject being given, provided the accompanying 
letter-pres 6 contained no “ objectionable matter.” The plate 
above alluded to will please many a sparkling eye, especially 
in bonnie Scotland. TI 16 subject is “ Deer Shooting;” the 
artist Ruwlins, the engraver Beckwith, and the scene is laid 
at the base of Ben Nevis. How many of our gallant soldiers 
and sailors, now apparently on the eve of a hot Russian 
war, look back with thankfulness to those sports of the field 
in their boyhood, which first nerved their frames and fitted 
them to become heroes. 
POULTRY. 
DEVON AND CORNWALL SOCIETY. 
We have already noticed, at page 82 of “The Field,” 
the recent exhibition of this Society, at St. George'6 Hall, 
StODehouse (Plymouth), and we now uvuil ourselves of an 
opportunity to insert the 
LIST OF PRIZES:— 
Class I.— Coloured Dorking. 
1st prize, W. C. Hodge, Esq., Crescent, Plymouth; cock, ono 
year and six months, hens, two years and six months. 2nd prize, E. 
Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; cock, seven months, hens, 
each seven months. Commended, \V. \V. Rowe, Milton Abbot, Tavis- 
tock, Devon ; cock, hatched 21st of July, 1863, five months, hens, one 
year. 
Class III.— Spaxisti. 
1st prize, B. Kingdon, Upper Paul-street, Exeter ; cock, one yenr and 
seven months; first hen, one year and seven months; second hen, un- 
known. 2nd prize, B. Ford, Underwood. Ide,near Exeter; upwards of one 
year. Commended, W. \V. Rowe, Milton Abbot, Tavistock, Devon; 
cock, hatched 29th May, 1863; hens, each one year 
Class IV.— Shanghai (Buff or Cinnamon). 
1st prize, W. J. LawTenee, Rosemorran, Penzance, Cornwall; above 
one year. 2nd prize, W , L. Channing, Heavltree, Exeter ; cockerel, nlne- 
and-a-haif months, first pullet, eight months, second pullet, seven 
months. Commended, S. C. Parkhouse, Bedfoi d-street, Plymouth; 
cock, eight months, first hen, eighteen months, second hen, nine 
[Saturday, 
months. S. C. Parkhouse, cock, seven months, hens, eighteen months 
each; W. L. Channing, Heavltree, Exeter; cockerell and pullet, seven 
months, hen, sixteen months. Highly commended, W, C. Pennington, 
Penzance. Cornwall; ten months; Ten months, the Misses Cory ton, 
Pcntlllle Castle, near Plymouth ; cock, hatched on tlio 30th April 1853, 
hens, thirtv-seven weeks and three days. 
Class V.— Shanghai (Brown or Partridge). 
1st prize, B. Ford, Ide near F.xeter; cock, not known, hens, each 
ten month*; 2nd prize, Miss Katherine M. Buller, Strete Raleigh, 
Exeter; unknown. 
Class VI. — Shanghai (Black or White). 
1st prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; seven 
months (white); 2nd prize, J. Turner, North Brook, Exeter, Devon ; 
eight-and-a-half months (black). Commended, J. T., North Brook, 
Devon; ciglit-aiid-a-lialf months (white). 
Class VII.— Malay. 
1st prize, W. Hunt, 10, Caroline-place, Stonebouse, Devon; 7J 
months— Chicken of the well-known prize birds of A. C. Sayers, Esq., 
Cluuvillc-lionse, Andover. 
Class VIII.— Red Game (any named varietyV 
2nd prize, M. Charlton, Holwood, Quiethlnck, Cornwall. Hatched 
in 1853 ; bred bv Capt. Hornby. 
Class IX.— Grey Game (any named variety). 
1st prize, W. J Little, Anderton, near Dcvonport, coclc. two years, 
hens, each nine months (duck wing); 2nd prize, J. F. Mortimev, Mill- 
street, Plymouth ; ten months. 
Class X. 
1st prize, P. O. Treby, Goodamoor, near Plympton, Devon; cock, 
eighteen months: hens, nine months, sisters (Pyle). 
Class XL— Silver Pencilled Hamburgh. 
1st prize, the Misses Coryton, Peiitiilio Castle, near Plymouth; cock, 
hatched in 1853, no relation to hens; age of hens, unknown; 2nd prize, 
W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbey, Tavistock, Devon; one year. Commended, 
A. Pontey, Nurseryman, Plymouth; cock and 2nd hen, eighteen 
months; 1st hen, two years; not related. 
Class Xll — G olden Pencilled Hamburgh. 
1st prize. Rev. St. Vincent D. Hammick, Milton Abbot, Tavistock, 
Devon; hatched In 1862; 2nd prize, Mrs Bruttou Ford, Underwood, 
Ide, near Exeter; cock, upwards of twoyenrs; hens, six months. Com- 
mended, H. Iline, Tavlstoek-road, Plymouth; cock, ten months, not 
related to hens ; 1st lien, one year and six months ; 2 nd hen, eight 
months. 
Class XIII Silver Spangled Hamburgh. 
2nd prize, Augustus Paul, Adwcll, Torquay, Devon; cock, ten 
months, hens, two years. 
Class XIV — Gold Spangled Hamburgh. 
1st prize, A. Paul, Adwell, Torquay, Devon; cock, nine months, liens, 
two years; 2nd prize, II. Hine, Tavistock-road, Plymouth; one year 
and six months— cock not related to the hens. 
CLAUS XV Polands (Block, White or Buff.) 
1st prize, W. J. Lawrence, Rosemorran. Penzance; above one year, 
(white); 2nd prize, H. Hine, Tavistock-road, Plymouth; unknown 
(white crested black). 
Class XVI.— Golden Polands. 
1st prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; one year 
and six months; 2nd prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Corn- 
wall ; six months. 
Class XVII.— Silver Poland. 
2nd prize, Mrs. T. Prideaux, Mount l’lym, Totnes, Devon; nine 
months and ten days. 
Class XVIII.— Ptarmicans. 
1st prize, T. P. Smyth, 111. Osborne-place, Plymouth; one yenr and 
nine months. Commended, T. P. Smyth, 10, Osborne-place, Ply- 
mouth; eight months. 
Class XIX.— White Bantam. 
2nd prize, W. L. Channing, Heavltree, Exeter; cock and 1st hen, 
ten mouths, 2nd hen, slx-and-a-half months. 
Class XX —Black Bantam. 
2nd prize, W. Connett, 270, High-street, Exeter ; three years and 
two months. 
Class XXI — Gold-laced Bantam. 
2nd prize, J. G. Gully, Queen-street, Exeter; about two years. 
Class XXIV.— Turkeys. 
1st prize, W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbot, Tavistock, Devon ; cock, two 
years, hens, seven months. 2nd prize, Mrs P. Crawley, Conmbe 
House, Gittisham, Iloniton, Devon; cock, one year, bene, unknown 
(black and white). 
Class XXV.— Geese. 
1st prize, W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbott, near Tavistock; ago two 
years. 2nd prize, W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbott, Tavistock, Devon ; two 
years. 
Class XXVI.— White Aylesbury Ducks. 
1st prize, W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbott, Tavistock, Devon ; hatched 
11th May, 1853. 2nd prize, It. E. Moore, 2, Devonshire Villas, l’enny- 
combequiek, Plymouth; drake, one year and seven months, ducks, 
6even months. 
Class XXVTI — Coloured Ducks. 
1st prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall ; six months 
(Rouen). 2nd prize, W. W. Rowe, Milton Abbi'tt, Tavistock, Devon; 
drake and 1st duck, one year, 2nd duck, eight months (common 
ducks). 
Class XXVIII.— Dead Fowls. 
1st prize, Mr. W. Bassett, Penrose Mitchell, Cornwall; chicken 
(cross of Shanghai with Burn-door fowl). 2nd prize, Mr. Bassett ; 
chicken (Spanish). 
Class XXIX.— Eggs. 
For the best six of any one named breed, Mr. c . C. Parkhouse, Bed- 
ford-street, Plymouth; Shanghai. 2nd ditto, Mr. S. C. Parkhouse, 
Bedford-street, Plymouth ; Shanghai. 
Class XXX —Pigeons (Carriers.) 
1st prize, W. J. Square, 14, Portland-aquare, Plymouth. Commended, 
W. L. Channing, Heavitree, Exeter; 16 months. 
Class XXXII — (Fantaiis.) 
1st prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; eight 
months (white). 
Class XXXIII.- (Runts.) 
1st prize, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; seven 
months (silver). 
Class XXXV.— (Powtera.) 
1st prize, W. J. Square, 14, Portland-square, Plymouth ; unknown 
(white). 
Class XXXVII.— (Tumblers,) 
1st prize, W. L. Channing. Heavltree, Exeter ; 17 months (almond). 
Commended, E. Burton, Tregolls Cottage, Truro, Cornwall; unknown 
(almond). 
Class XXXVIII.— (Extra Stock ) 
Prizes— (Turbits, Nuns, and Owls).— W L. Channing, Heavitree, 
Exeter. Prize.— (Frizzled Fowls)— Thomas Russel, Stoneliouse. 
Class XX XIX.— Rabbits. 
1st prize, G. M. Rowe, Milton Abbot, Tavistock, Devon ; buck, six 
months, doe, nineteen months (thorough lop). 2nd prize, J. P. Briggs, 
Royal Dockyard, Devonport. Buck, one year, doe, six months, black 
and white. 
The judge was the Rev. G. F. Hodson, of Banwell, Somerset, and the 
judgments generally gave satisfaction. That he should have erred in 
some cases, looking at the severity of the competition, is not surprising ; 
but we would suggest that at tlic future shows it would be far more 
satisfactory to have at least three judges. 
in the evening a dinner was held at Killingly's “Prince George 
Hotel," when about twenty gentlemen, Including the committee and 
some of the principal exhibitors, sat down to a substantial repost, which 
was served up by the host in a manner which did him ample credit. 
The dinner was presided over by Mr R. E. Moore; and on the cloth 
being removed, the usual loyal and other toasts were duly honoured, 
and “ Success to the Society " quaffed in a “bumper." After an inter- 
change of friendly feelings between the exhibitors of the two counties, 
and a cordially expressed desire for the most amicable co-operation 
in promoting the prosperity and success of the society, the party 
separated. 
American National Poultry Society. — A number 
of gentlemen in New York, interested in llie subject, bold a 
meeting at ihe Astnr House last week, and organised a 
National Poultry Society, lor the improvement of every 
description of domestic poultry. P. T. Barnum, Esq., of 
Bridgport, Conn., was appointed President; Mr. A. B. 
Allen, Secretary, and R. B. Coleman, Esq., of the Astor 
House, Treasurer of the Society. Several hundred dollars 
were subscribed, which will be offered in premiums for the 
best specimens of fowls that can bo produced from any part 
of the United States. The society resolved to hold a grund 
National Poultry Show in the city of New York, on the 
13th day of February next, continuing several days. This 
will include the exhibition of all kinds of fowl — pea fowls, 
ducks, geese, swans, fancy pigeons, gold and silver phea- 
sants, See. Premiums will also be offend for the best 
specimens of rubbits, rat terrier dogs, and deer. — New York 
Spirit of the Times, January 14. 
