THE FIELD 
154 
[Saturday, 
frontispiece is particularly happy. I t illustrates the termi- 
nation of a celebrated run ol the Berkeley hounds, when the 
stac turned to bay on the door-step of a house in Russell- 
square. and when the father of the family mistook the towny 
coated huntsman and his game for some wandering show- 
man, and indignantly refused the requested admission, much 
to the danger of the stag, who was with difficulty prevented 
from taking itself a short way to the kitchen, viz., over the 
area railings. 
The last chapter of this volume is devoted to a subject, 
not usually included among field sport6, — duelling, and is 
the least satisfactory part of the book. 
©nr ? rittr-iag. 
MR. STEERE’8 FOXHOUNDS. 
Sir,— A s a subscriber to your sporting journal, and seeing 
the great pleasure you take in chronicling different runs with 
many packs of hounds, I, in justice to the spirited muster, 
as well as the noble owner of Parham Park, feel it a duty 
not to allow such a brilliant run to pBss unnoticed as that 
enjovcd by manv on Thursday, the 9lh February. The 
meet <va< Parham Purk, and soon was seen standing by the 
side of the master, Nash, the well-known keeper, who in- 
formed him tho old dog fox lay in Rackbani Furze. No 
sooner were the hounds in than a whimper was heard; then 
Jim Hopkins’ voice, “ Hark, Dainty ! ” and the cheerful 
tally ho, “ gone away^!” soon followed ; next in sight were 
the hounds racing him towards the park wall, which was 
cleared by the gullant pack as if it were hut a common gale, 
through the park, across the open fields to the downs at 
Kithurst, Side Hill to Chauctonbury ring. The pace up to 
this point being rather too fust for Charley, ho thought 
it prudent to try a more enclosed country, and consequently 
left the hill for the Copyhold, crossing the turnpike road by 
Wiston Cate, leaving VViston Park on the right towards 
Whipping thorn, French land, and Cnpities; hero he seemed 
to have enough of this style of country, and turned buck by 
Ashington, Chaucton farm, and was doing all he knew to 
reach the hill again, and indeed did, only a hundred yards 
ahead of the hounds ; and thanks, he might say, to the hail- 
storm, which caused him to live, let us hope, to show another 
such a day’s sport. Time, one hour and fifty minutes, 
without a check. Yours, &c., 
Whip. 
MAKING A DRAG. 
Mr. Editor, — I n answer to “ Subscriber” (p. 140), let 
him try the following for his drag ; — 
Procure two pairs of old woollen stockings, tie them in a 
bunch to two yards of good strong twine, then steep it in 
old brine, press out, and add the following — six penny- 
worth oil of aniseed, four pennyworth oil of turpentine — 
which will answer for six or seven miles ; if wanted to run 
a dozen miles, then he mu6t procure one shillingworth of 
the former and eight pennyworth of the latter, putting on 
the drag one-half at the commencement, and tho remainder 
at the beginning of the seventh milo, the runner of the 
drag carrying tho mixture in lu's pocket in a bottle. 
Drag-hunting by harriers is much practised here. — Yours 
truly. Jno. Howard. 
Staylcy , near Stayleybridgc, Feb. 13, 1854. 
ESSEX UNION FOX HOUNDS. 
Sir, — I t is with great pleasure I write you an account of 
one of the best runs of the sen6on with these hounds. The 
meet on Saturday 1 Ith, was Hazeleigh Hull, and tho hounds 
were no sooner thrown into cover than (thanks to that good 
preserver, Mr. Hanson) a brace of foxes were viewed, and 
to one the hounds settled, and the 6cent being good, ho was 
obliged to quit his quarters, pointing to the Hanging Wood, 
through which they rattled him like gun-shot, and he set 
biB head for the Danbury country, passing close to Haze- 
leigh Common, and on to the Hyde Woods, through which 
the hounds hunted and did their work admirably. After 
clearing the covers our fox turned up wind, and the hounds 
put down their sterns and went, racing pace, pointing for 
Runsel Green, but turned to the right before reaching it, 
aDd on to the Thrift Wood, through which they raced him 
without a check, aDd away for Woodham Mortimer, passing 
close in front of that good sportsmaii, J. O. Parker, Esq. ; 
and here tho hounds showed their good hunting qualities, 
the fox having run the road some distance; but forward was 
still the cry, on to the Pursouage Wood, whore it was 
thought we must get up to him, but again he was on for 
Hazeleigh Hall, through which cover he went, and away as 
if for Mundon Furze, but was unfortunately beaded short 
back into cover by some ploughmen ; still, without dwelling 
away lie went at his old point for Hanging Wood, through 
it, pointing for Purleigh ; but here, from his short running, 
it was evident he was sinking, and we soon came from scent 
to view, and pulled down this gallant fox, after as good an 
hour and twenty-two minutes as was ever ridden to, the 
greater part over a very heavy country. 
“ Nimrod.” 
Sir, — In reply to Fltjmen’s inquiries in a recent 
“ Field,” page 105, I am strongly of opinion that Mr. 
Keiller has made a mistake in assuming that the action of 
the tail of the parent fish is to disperse the ova, instead of, 
as I believe, that of covering it. If it is to he dispersed, and 
left to chance for protection from fish and fowl, why should 
nature have implanted the instinct of making the bed (a 
painful and arduous task), when it could havo been done 
better and easier by simply moving athwart the stream ? 
As far as my own observations and inquiries havo gone — 
though I acknowledgeit ison oneriver only, viz., theOgmore, 
in Glamorganshire — I have come to the conclusion, that in the 
Ogmore the ova is deposited, and not disseminated, as stated 
in (he Save. The fish, on surmounting the weirs, generally 
remain some little time in the deep pools, until the ova is 
ripe, when, selecting such a place as that described by Mr. 
K., though always as near the head of the stream as circum- 
stances permit, both milter and spawner commence moving 
the gravel so as to form a hollow, apparently from a foot to 
foot and a-half deep, and nearly the latter in width; 
though I am stroDgly of opinion that the principal part is 
performed by the male, as poachers have told mo that the 
nose of the male is far more worn than thut of the female 
fish. The bed is culled by some the bedd, which signifies a 
grave ; by others, claddfer, signifying both a burving-place 
and the place where fish spawn. When the claddfer is made 
sufficiently large, the female takes her position at the bottom, 
whilst occasionally the male dasibes in by her with con- 
eiderable force. The motions of the female aro much 
quletor ; and as the egg* are deposited, the lull is used, as I 
contend, to cover them, and at the same time to enlarge the 
bed. It is here that sad havoc is made by the poacher, who, 
having discovered the bed, is pretty 6ure of securing one or 
both the fish i ho following night, by using a light and spear; 
though not of so much consequence here as on some rivers, 
as the 6almon is not, as a general rule, of fine flavour — the 
sewen, which is, I believe, the white trout, surpassing it in 
flavour, if not. os I think, in sport. I may another day 
send you a description of an afternoon’s fish-hunt, should it 
be deemed likely to amuse. Talking of hunting leads me 
to suggest, if gentlemen, when sending reports of any capital 
run, were to accompany such report with a small mop, 
tracing the run, it would add much to the gratification of 
those readers not personally acquainted with the country, 
and, if to 6cale, might prevent a three or four mile run being 
lengthened into five. I am, sir, yours & c., Morgan wg. 
NEW TOP RING FOR TROLLING. 
Sir.— Many of your angling readers have doubtless, like 
myself, been often annoyed at their prepared trolling lines 
becoming frayed and worn in running through the top ring 
of their trolling rods ; particularly that part of the Hue 
which hangs on the ring whilst swinging the bait before 
making a cast. Having last season lost two good pike owing 
to my line breaking from this cause, I was induced to try 
my hand at making a top. After a little scheming I made 
one, of which the enclosed is a sketch ; having a pulley 
working in a kind of collar, formed of two pieces of brass ; 
the pulley being lot into tho collar in such a way that the 
lino, however thin, cannot catch. It has been in use some 
mouths, and more than answers my expectations ; for the 
lino — to soy nothing of its not wearing out so fast — now runs 
freely and smoothly, and almost without an effort to propel 
it. You will 6ee where the two pieces of the collar are 
joined together; though not observable in tbe original, this 
is shewn in the sketch for the purpose of making the con- 
struction clearer. This top is certainly a trifle heavier than 
the common ring, but not so much so as to be felt at the 
end of a stiff trolling rod. Should, however, the little extra 
weight be an objection, it may he remedied by making the 
pulley slightly hollow, and drilling holes in the cheeks of 
the collar ; and this may be done without interfering with 
the strength or efficiency of the top. 
The few of my piscatorial brethren who havo seen this 
substitute for a top riDg, predicting most favourably of its 
answering tho purpose for which it is intended, and my own 
though short experience of it6 working, induce me to trouble 
you with this lengthy communication. Trusting that you 
may consider it of sufficient interest to occupy a space in 
your valuable and very gentlemanly paper, I am, &c., 
AXitvg. 
POULTRY. 
Sir,— I n answer to your correspondent “ Poultry,” 
respecting the origin of the Columbian fowl, I beg to 
state it is a native of Columbia, in South America, but 
not an aboriginal. It bears considerable affinity to the 
irimitive Spanish fowl, possessing the deep and glossy 
Jack plumage of that bird, in connexion with the general 
shape and deportment of the Malay, with comb both 
double and single, which in the latter is serrated at its 
edge, as in the Spanish. 
Having instituted searching inquiries into the right by 
which they claim primitive originality, I am constrained 
by force of evidence to pronounce them an acquired 
race, and typical of no primary order. My firm belief is, 
they are the produce of a remote admixture of the 
black Spanish and the Malay fowl. 
Some may ask, from whence arises the beard ? This 
feature is occasionally exhibited in the Malay, more 
especially in the darkest strains. In 1850 I received two 
specimens direct from the peninsula of Malay, one of 
which subsequently assumed the lower mandible append- 
age in full repletion ; but when first imported, being in 
full moult, he possessed but a minimum development. Not 
wishing to occupy space in your most valuable columns, I 
beg to say, in answer to your correspondent’s second 
query, that he will find in March number (part 7) of 
“ Ferguson’s Illustrated Series of Rare Prize and Do- 
mestic Poultry,” ample details respecting this highly in- 
teresting sub-class.— Y'our obedient servant, 
G. Ferguson. 
CORN RENT. 
Sir, — A t the discussion held at the London Farmers’ 
Club on Monday, on the subject of “ Corn Averages,” as 
noticed in your last week’s paper, it seems to have been 
agreed {inter alia) that “returns should be made by the 
grower of all corn sold by him, verified by the signature of 
the buyer.” The following fact may bo interesting to those 
who agreed to the above resolution : — A farmer in Worces- 
tershire some time since refused 12s. per bushel for his 
wheat; in a few weeks the markets fell considerably, and 
the 6aid farmer was compelled to sell his corn at a consider- 
able reduction (I believe under Is., though he never would 
confess what he did get for it). Is a “corn rent” to be 
estimated according to the price he realised, or according 
to the price he might havo realised, had lie not bean so very 
covetous and foolish ? Yours, &c., 
Amateur. 
LONDON CATS. 
Sir, — C on any of your numerous readers inform me how 
I can rid myself of an intolerable nuisance. I am living in 
the heart of London, have got a large yard, and ain sub- 
ject to very great annoyance through numbers of cats com- 
ing into this yard, alarming my birds and breaking the sky- 
lights. If you can inform mo of a remedy, you will greatly 
oblige a subscriber from the first to your valuable paper. I 
huve an objection to poison, if tho cats con be got rid of 
without it, Yours obediently, 
0. T, 
TREASURE TROVE. 
Sir, — C an any of your numerous readers give me any 
information on the following subject : — A coast guardsman 
found on the beach, a few days since, a gold coin, about the 
size of a sixpence, and nearly the weight of a sovereign ; on 
one side is a bead and the words “Antonio Augustus,” and 
od the other, “ Sacordos Divi Angustii.” The man wishes 
to know what the coin is, and the probable value. 
I am, Mr. Editor, one of your first subscribers, 
II. A. L. L. 
gmustnunts. 
DRAMATIC FEULLLETON. 
Haymarkel— Ranelagh — Olympic--' Tho Lovelock— Soho Theatre - 
Lyceum— Richard the Third. 
Un Mars qui se derange is the original of the new trans- 
lation, or rather adaptation, by Mr. Palgrave Simpson, 
produced at theHayinarket theatre on Saturday last, under 
the title of “ Ranelagh.” The habits and customs of French 
and English society are still, in spite of the mere twelve 
hours which sepnruto the two capitals, so different, that a 
mere translation of the French piece would havo been im- 
possible. A French gentleman of loose morals, 
“ Sated with home, of wife, of children tired," 
would very naturally have a rendezvous at an opera bal 
masque, and afterwards adjourn to the maison doree ; nor 
is it by any means improbable thut a French lady, getting 
wind of her husband’s infidelity, should follow him at least 
to the first of these places of eutertainment ; but we manage 
our vices differently in England. Peers of the realm and 
baronets don’t generally pick out a Drury Lane or Vaux- 
hall masquerade as tho locus in quo for tbe falsification of 
tbe marriage vow ; and if they did, it is likely that they 
might remain perfectly free from any interference on tho 
part of their injured spouses. Things were different a 
hundred and fifty years ago. In those days of perriwigs 
ami satin breeches, of sacques and hoop petticoats, the 
Courtleys and Belvilles of real life carried on their intrigues 
at Ranelagh, and tho vice of Vauxhall, if there was no less 
of it than now, was at least better dressed and fairer spoken. 
To these times Mr. Simpson has wisely transferred tho action 
of the piece. As for plot, there is, as Sir Charles Coldstream 
says, “ nothing in it.” Lady Rovchj pursuing her unfuithful 
husband to Ranelagh, and there mistaken by him for the mis- 
tress he expected to meet, in the counterpart of the Mrs. Toots 
of a dozen farces, who does the same thing at Creinorne or 
Vnuxball ; but the arrangement and workingoutof the various 
imbroglios that ensue is managed wilh much more dexterity, 
and displayed in a smoother and cleverer dialogue than is 
usually to be found in these piecos. The first act, exhibiting 
Sir Robert at home, sad and sleepy, is rather too long : but 
the second, in which Sir Robert is abroad — videlicet, at 
Ranelagh — is one of the best bits of dramatic bustle and 
cross-purposes that I huve seen. All the dramatis persona’. 
are there, unknown to each other, and on different accounts 
— Sir Robert, for love; Lady Rovely, for jealousy; Dr. 
Coddlelooc (an uxorious and respectable physician, whose 
intense horror as a “ proper ” man at finding himself tho 
centre of a group of improprieties, is one of the best bits in 
tbe piece), as her ladyship’s squire ; Mrs. Coddlelovc, for 
mere amusement, which, she being separated from her 
friends, turns to her discomfiture ; and Colonel Crawfut, 
Mr. Bramble, and Sir Lorimer Lolly, each in search of a 
relative who has come to Ranelagh on the sly. Of courso 
it is not difficult to guoss that an act of this kind, after every 
one has been, for a certain time, mystified and made 
miserable, ends by every one being reconciled and made 
happy. La chose n’est pas ncuve, mats die est conso- 
lante. 
The scenery is very good ; the dresses ditto; tho acting 
ditto — especially that of Buck stone os the Doctor, and of 
Tilbury as a tire-eatiug Colonel. Mr. Vandenhoff, too, 
played the light comedy part of Sir Robert very well, 
though scarcely light enough. But then there is no one on 
the stage who can play light comedy as it should be played, 
except Charles Mathews. 
I don’t think the little theatre in Dean-6lreet, Soho, is 
appreciated as it deserves. To my mind, as a nursery 
ground for young actors, it occupies the place Lff-u by the 
great provincial theatres — Bath, York, or Newcastle — in the 
last century. Here young men and women who fancy they 
have a vocation to the stage, can try themselves before a 
public, which being half gratis, half paying, is neither so 
gentle as to ignore faults, nor so savage as to discourago 
a timid beginner. Plays are put upon the stago with 
a good deal of care, considering tho necessarily restricted 
materiel that has to be dealt with ; and supposing tho 
existence of anything so wonderful as a London manager 
in search of untried talent, I presume he would consider 
a sixpenny cab greatly preferable to a long train journey 
with an inn bed at the end of it. A Mr. Nicholls, tolerably 
known as a dramatic reader, has appeared hero in tho 
character of Skylark, and performed with a great deal of 
talent and fire ; — not, it is true, enough to make a great 
dramatic star of him, but quite sufficient to show that lie 
is far enough removed from the class of pretenders who 
every now and then “ come like shadows, so depart” — ap- 
pearing 'once nr twice before a London audience, heralded 
by some weak blasts from provincial penny-trumpets, and 
are afterwards no more heard of. Portia was very well 
played by Miss Cleveland, whose musical voice and distinct 
articulation would alone suffice to make her a valuable 
engagement at any theatre. 
What can I say of the “Lovelock,” produced for the 
first (and only) time on Monday last at the Olympic theatre ? 
merely that it was thoroughly, effectually, satisfactorily 
damned. Ilow any manager could expect a different fato 
for this incredible mystico-diabolical Germanism is more than 
I can fathom. Not one merit Iia6 it except that of good 
language — tho author being a gentleman of intelligence and 
education — and even that was spoiled by a certain affected 
quaintness. All that the actors could do to save it was 
done; Wigan played excellently; bo did Robson— so did 
Miss Horton; the scenery was good; the dresses excellent 
but all was to no purpose. The audience would not have it 
at any price, and laughed heartily at all the pathetic bits, 
so that the curtain descended on that dramatic rarity, a 
damned piece. As the critic of the Times says, “ I begin to 
have hopes of a London audience.” 
Tho Lyceum is going on again, not in the least affected 
in it6 success by the temporary eclipse of Iasi week. The 
manager has written a letter to the Times, explaining tho 
circumstances, under the pressure of which tho theatre wac 
closed last Tuesday and Wednesday ee’nnight, The pro' 
duction is a clever, and, dramatically speaking, an effective 
ope— depicting Mr, Mathews iu the form of that delight i 
