316 
THE FIELD 
[Saturday,' 
dren, seeing them there, took up and placed them before the 
fire In the house, when it was at once evident that there wore 
signs of life, for they had no sooner been exposed to the heat 
than they were seen to move. It is most probable they will 
be reared. . . , . _ 
The same paper says, “ There are ninety-six fox hunting 
establishments in England. In 1830, there wero sixty-eight, 
and in 1850, eighty-four.” 
Eox Poisoning.— Five foxes, we regret to say, wore 
lately destroyed at Kolham by poison ; one of them a vixen 
with eleven cubs in her. 
Fatal Accident to Mr. Howard’s Eulogist 
Filly. — On Saturday last, whilst at exercise, this filly, en- 
gaged in the Two-Year-Old Stakes to be run at Epsom on 
Thursday next, and of whom great hopes were entertained, 
had the misfortune to fall, in consequence of crossing her 
legs, and the off knee was so severely fractured that it was 
found necessary to destroy her immediately. 
Honeydew was struck out of all her engagements on the 
28th of March, at 3 p.m. 
Selina was struck out of the Metropolitan Handicap, April 
1, at 9 a.m. 
The late Duke of Portland’s racing career extended over 
some 32 years, beginning in 1814. Throughout the whole 
of it ho had never more than 8 horses in training, and John 
Day succeeded to his riding when Clift retired. Until his 
fourth season, he never won anything, hut in his seventh the 
De- by fell to his lot with Tiresias. This horse won 14 races 
in all, for his grace, und was stinted in 1821 for 40 mares at 
10 guineas, a price which the owner of a retired. Derby 
winner would quite scout now-a-doys. Munv ol his stock 
did his grace some service, the most distinguished of them 
being Ainphiuruus, Tory, Amphlctyon, The Theban, and 
AmphitrJto. His other winners comprised Indus, Mr. Low, 
Comical, VaultrcRS, Mortgage, Alderman, Ilrothor to Erni- 
1 jug, Culler, Harlequin, &c., und the Column, lliddlesworth 
and’ Newmarket Stakes, were scored umong other races to 
their credit. 
OLD BERKS HOUNDS. 
Sir,— The Inst fixture for the season, was, liy permis- 
sion, in the Craven country, whose hounds, your columns, 
a fortnight since, declared, had ceased to hunt, on account 
of the till/ weather. Surely the proposition that hounds 
should not hunt in March , on account of dry weather, is 
as new as it is untenable. However, these hounds, on the 
1st of April, met at West llsley, hoping for a day on the 
Downs, ns the grent occasional treat to a Vale Hunt ; but 
it was rumoured there wero heavy vixens in the Downs 
Gorscs, and the estimable master of the Craven, therefore, 
sent us to the Woodlands. Found at Wickslade, from 
which covert a (thick) velvet-headed saddler twice pre- 
vented his breaking for Lilywoods, and, perhnns disgusted, 
he went to ground in Wickslade. We then drew part of 
Lilywoods, and went on to Whclford, where nt length we 
found a vixen that had laid down her cubs. There was no 
help for it ; and although old Foote cried out, “’Tis a little 
Vickey,” the pack pressed and turned her through the 
covert at a killing pace ; and being headed at her point, 
she turned back into the very jaws of the pack. Mr. 
Morrell not being out, Clark and a few of his vale field, 
thanked Mr. Best for his day’s permission, and withdrew to 
drnw a favourite gorsc covert on the Downs, in their own 
country. The day was very sunshiny and very dusty, and 
ns such opposed to Craven sport; but Clark thinking, with 
very many' besides, that a March dust often holds a good 
scent, went away, by the direction of the excellent pony- 
mounted sportsman of Milton Hill, to Blewbury Gorsc. 
In a few seconds, nnd not a hound was to bo seen, though 
the gorse began to shake and wave from an unseen influ- 
ence. Presently, first one, and then another hound flung 
outside, very much surprised that he neither saw nor heard 
anything, though his very attitude and excitement showed 
he fully expected both. A few more seconds, and a gal- 
lant old dog-fox, showed himself just outside, and 
headed back again; and then old Will’s halloa pro- 
claimed ho had broken in the direction of Milton Hill. 
It was now four o’clock ; the hounds carried a good head, 
and threw the dust up like a flock of sheep, turning, how- 
ever, short to the right, at the farm house near the gorse, 
he pointed straight for Unhill, nnd almost reaching it. 
turned to the left into Fuller's gorse, uml broke at the 
lower side, where he was halloed by the son of as true nnd 
ardent a sportsman as ever got into a saddle, the laic John 
Starky, Esq., nnd the pack running from scent to view, 
pulled clown in the open a very large dog-fox close to Ilill 
Barn. Time, 27 minutes, and making 40 brace of foxes 
fairly killed by these hounds during the Inst season. A 
brilliant finish to as brilliant a season. Ami I believe 
Clark, the huntsman, is duly appreciated, as well he may 
be, by both master and field. Iiis conduct on t His occasion 
was prompt, judicious, and energetic ; down wind and a 
flying fox. he capped his hounds over the hot, dry arable, 
and let them feel, and hold the line on the Downs; hut 
knowing Unhill was his point, he would not suffer them to 
dwell a minute on the scent, and thus got on good terms 
with his fox ou going into Fuller’s gorse. 
Banger might have said a great deal more of Actteon 
than lie has chosen to do ; perhaps, however, he is right 
not to strike a man when down, as Actseon is now ; but, 
living in such a very glass house, it would have become 
him belter, had lie reflected a little before throwing dirt 
and stones around him. Too many in the country know 
the condition in which the late estimable master generously 
left his pack to the Craven Hunt, to attribute to it the cause 
of Acticon's failure. When the Kcnnet, Field, Earth- 
stoppers, Esquires, and the elements combine against 
'the huntsman, as Actieon alleges, ’tis seienco that 
enables him to rise independent of them all, and the 
lack of it only which makes him abusive, and shut 
up his pack in his kennel on account of the dry 
weather. A pack that can kill a fox unaided with a scent, 
will. I think, succeed also on a bad scenting day, if aided 
with a little judgment and energy on the part of their 
huntsman ; but I have unintentionally digressed from my 
theme, which was rather to evidence the merits of Clark 
and his pack, than bewail Actaion’s failure, aud the conse- 
quent dismemberment of the Craven country. 
Those, however, who have known the Craven from the 
time of John Warde to the present, and have witnessed the 
sport shown by the energy of a Smith, and the patience of 
a Foote, will not despair yet of seeing the country as effi- 
ciently hunted as heretofore, so long ns the hunt is upheld 
by thcresident gentlemen, so able, and, of course, as willing 
to subscribe liberally for its support. 
Lord Portsmouth is, I hear, to take part of the country, 
and the remainder is left to the present master, Mr. Best, 
aided by the old huntsman, Foote, to show that sport twice 
a week, which the character of the country anu a liberal 
expenditure on Mr. Best’s part will certainly insure. With 
every good wish for his success, 
I am, sir, yours &c. Pink. 
April 6th, 1854. 
GENTLEMEN CADETS IN CAVALRY, &c. 
To the Editor of the Daily News — Sir, — Your 
columns are helping us to take a sensible view of cavalry. 
I am glad to hear it even rumoured that, by theacceptancc 
of the services of gentlemen cadets, a new class of horse- 
men may he grafted on our present dragoons — who can 
really vide, and who would bring with them horses not so 
deficient in the attributes of strong, wiry, and active 
animals, as those you may find in many a barracks. Com- 
pare the portrait of “ Melbourne,” in Saturday’s The Field, 
with what you are accustomed to see under dragoon privates, 
and, burring his apparent grogginess, you will see the difference 
between a washy and a lasting horse. 
There are not ten horses in any regiment in the world 
which, even if they could leap, could carry fifteen stone to 
hounds through the season. Few which you could buy for 
£50 could see twelve stone through it, even if in top con- 
dition. We pay about half this for our remounts, and 
often put on their hacks quite double the weight they can 
carry. We teach neither them nor their riders to leap 
(properly speaking), yet, as cavalry in w'ar, they have more 
protracted, and quite as hard and varied work to do, and 
this in necessarily very much worse condition. 
Think of this, sir, and conceive cavalry ‘‘pounded” or 
disordered by a little brook, or a row of hillocks, with rifles 
or artillery playing on them; or caught in this plight on 
flauk or rear by other cavalry, aud you can’t but sec how 
many chances we throw away, and how needlessly poor 
fellows arc victimised. 
The “fine old English gentlemen” mentioned by one of 
your correspondents certninly are short-sighted not to en- 
courage and act on sensible suggestions, calculated to 
enable improvements in our army to keep pace with those 
in our manufactures, &c.— I am, sir, &c. 
An English Horseman. 
SALE OF THE HEYTHROP HUNT STUD. 
Stud. — In consequonce of their noble owner giving up 
the mastership of these hounds, 20 of his hunters and hacks 
were brought to the hammer at Tattersall’s, on Monduy last. 
One of the hacks (Juliet) was withdrawn, and the remaining 
19 uveraged nearly 50 ge. oach. Except in the case of Sul- 
tan, a great stout chesnut, whom it was rumoured had been 
bought by Prince Albert’s groom, the biddings for tho lots 
seldom exceeded a guinea at a time, whereas Sultan van up 
the gamut from 80 gs. to 165 gs., almost solely by 5 gs. bids. 
Earl Deeborough, and several other sportsmen aud hunts- 
men were present, and the goneral complaint seemed to be, 
that they had, by “freezing out,” nnd “ burning out,” lost 
about one-fourth of their usual sport. Nearly all the horses 
looked very fresh, and hence there was no fear of Mr. Tatter- 
sull having to answer in any caso for the breaking of his 
warrantry, which, as ho facetiously remarked to an inquiring 
individual, was simply “ to warrant them alive till they got 
outside the yard.” The following wero tho prices reached : — 
First Biddings. 
Last Biddings. 
00 „ 
35 „ 
70 „ 
cli g Sultan 
80 " 
b g Hilly 
40 „ 
51 „ 
b g Sn-jnrlonl 
50 „ 
b m Uowenu 
15 
cl. R Nig< 1 
13 
30 „ 
b g Ovtord 
34 „ 
23 „ 
wli in Columbine 
IS 
31 „ 
cli in Amazon (do.) .. 
20 „ 
503 
933 „ 
Surrey Fox 
Hounds. — These 
old favourites mot at 
l’ratt’s Bottom, Chelsfield, ou Monday last. The air was 
very cold ami dry, and anything but n good-scented day. 
Many likely coverts, &c., were drawn over a great extent of 
country, without the symptoms of a find, till reaching the 
vicinity of Oxted, at the fag end of the day, a fox was found 
which afforded a little sport. — Maidstone Journal. 
Mr. Colter’s Hounds. — On Wednesday last, the West 
Kent fox hounds met at the Polhill Arms Iun. The worthy 
master, wishing to take time by the forelock, was at the ap- 
pointed place ere the clock struck nine, and many persons 
were there to welcome him. The weather was delightful : 
the sunny lulls so gay, with a gentle breeze bearing it8°sweets 
along with health in its balmy air ; the high mettled and vig- 
orous pack panting for the chase ; if these combined were not 
sufficient to drive dull care away, what would ? Being close 
to the cover’s side the hounds were thrown in, and drew 
this extensive woodland, with but a drag or two ; doubtless 
fearing to disturb the vixens at this season when foxes are 
not abundant. At the end of the hunt, a move was mado 
for Farningham wood, which was attended with the same 
result. — Maidstone Journal, April 4. 
The Craven Hunt. — This old established country, 
formerly hunted by the celebrated John Ward, Messrs’. 
Wymlham, Smith, and others, is about to be divided, and 
one-half to be hunted by the Earl of Portsmouth, leaving a 
two days’ country to represent the Craven, which has been 
offered with ample subscription and establishment to Mr. 
Smith, who formerly hunted it, but who has declined the 
tempting proposal, and in consequence the country will be 
carried on by the late worthy master, H. Best, Esq. The 
noble earl also intends to hunt great part of the old Vine 
country, having this pack in addition to that of H. Ville- 
bois, Esq., which he has purchased. Great sport may be 
expected, and the neighbourhood of Whitchurch will be 
enlivened with “ bits of pink” from various quarters, no 
doubt. The remainder of the Vine country beyond Basing- 
stoke will be hunted by Mr. Whecblc on sufferance only, 
we understand, the next season. — Morning Herald. 
The Old Berkshire Hounds finished the season on 
Saturday last, by meeting at West llsley, in the Craven 
country. Having ran their first fox to ground, they had a 
good forty minutes’ with the second fox, and killed him. 
The hounds then went on to Blewbury, and found again 
immediately, and finished the season with a capital hunt 
of twenty-seven minutes without a check, killing a fine old 
dog in good style, thus making forty-one brace of foxes 
killed this season. 
Hunting Accident. — We regret to announce that Mr. 
Edward St. Vincent Digby, of Minterne, while out with Mr. 
Farquharson’s hounds on Thursday, in ascending a bank 
near Dogberry-gate, sustained a most serious accident by 
bis horse falling on liim. We hear that the unfortunate 
gentleman sustained concussion of the braiu and fracture of 
the ribs ; but we are glad to learn lie is now getting better. 
(Wbatiier Permitting.) 
VOX HOUNDS. 
Cottesmore.— Saturday (this day), Tilton Wood— 11. 
F. B.— Tuesday, Ptisan Cross; Saturday, Bishop's Wood; Wednesday 
work, Victoria Inn, near Bodmin— half-past 10. 
New Forest (Mr. Thbodald’s).— Tuesday, Pilewell ; Thursday, 
Earldom Gate; Saturday, Mackway Bridge — 11. 
Pctchley. — Monday, Rushton; Tuesday, Lindon; Thursday, Stanion ; 
Saturday, Glasstliorne Pasture— quarter to 11. 
Trei.awney'3, Mr.— T uesday, St. Ann’s Chapel, Bigbury ; Thursday, 
Delamere — Imlf-past 10. 
Wynn’s, Sir W. W.— Wednesday, Llangedwin; Thursday, Llwy- 
diarth Park; Saturday, Nantymercked. 
ADDITIONAL FIXTURES. 
[Received too late for insertion in our First Elitlon.] 
stag hounds. 
Her Majbsty's —Monday week (Easter Monday) Maidenhead Thicket 
-half-past 10. 
FOX HOUNDS. 
Dedaee.— Monday, Stone Bridge. Laver Banks— 11. 
Brackmoor Vale.— T uesday, The Bull, Hardway; Saturday, Asham 
Fitzhardinge's (Earl of). — Monday, Hailes T\ood; Tuesday, Chat- 
combe. The last of the season. 
Heytiiobf iLonu Rbdesdale's).— Monday, Ranger's Lodge; Thurs- 
dav, White Oak Green— half-past 10. 
Tiverton.— Monday, Knowestone; Thursday, Puddington — nair- 
p«st 10 . 
Word ksteush i nF..— Monday, Hopton Court; Thursday, Brodon Hill 
— half-past 10. 
HARRIERS. 
Williams’s (Mr. E.) -Wednesday, Fox and Hounds (on Dartmoor) 
—10 
SCOTLAND. 
FOX HOUNDS. 
Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.— ' Tuesday, llillend; Saturday, 
Cleughearn— quarter to II. 
Linlithlow and Stirlingshire.— Tuesday, Garvald Route ; Thurs- 
day, Lesmahagow Village; Saturday, Ranslrulher Toll Bar- 
quarter to 11. 
IRELAND. 
STAG HOUNDS. 
i WARD Union.— Wednesday, Ashbourne— 1 
FOX HOUNDS. . . 
CLARE.— Monday, Belvolrs; Thursday, Derrymore Oate-quarterto 11. 
Galway Blazb'rs.— T uesday, Rul.asan Park ; Saturday, Eastwell **• 
HARRIERS. 
Wicklow. — M onday, Cullen Hill; Thursday, Annamore 11. 
