582 
THE FIELD 
Bridges, and return up. 
order, being according 
river, viz. : — 
RACING BOATS, 
j. IJr.wenoso 
3. Balliol 
3. Christ Church (l) 
4. Worcester 
6. Wad ham 
6. St. John’s 
7. Pembroke 
8. Trinity * 
9. Jesus 
10. Exeter 
11. Lincoln 
12. Christ Church (2) 
They will start in the following 
to the rank they hold on the 
TOWMO BOATS. 
1. Exeter 
2. Wudhnm 
3. Brasunose 
4. University 
6. Bnll"l 
C. St. John's 
7. Pembroke 
8. Jesus 
9. Worcester 
10. Queen's 
11. Oriel 
12. Christ Church (1) 
13. Christ Church (I) 
11. Exeter Vi) 
Fire at Messrs. Seablr’s — On Tuesday evening, 
between the hours of six and seven, considerable alarm was 
caused in the immediate vicinity of Astloy's Amphitheatre, 
in consequence of the sudden outbreak of a fire in the 
premises belonging to Messrs. G. Scarle and Sons, boat- 
builders to Her Majesty, situate in Stnngatc, Westminster- 
road, Lambeth. The fire originated m the following 
manner:— A number of men were engaged repairing a 
large dumb-lighter belonging to the Westminstcr-bndge 
(Middlesex side) Steamboat l’ier Company, when by some 
accident the vessel, which was lying nigh and dry on the 
shore, immediately under the extensive workshops and 
offices, took fire, and the flames rapidly travelled from the 
head to the stern of the vessel, rising in an arched form 
so high as to jeopardise the whole factory. A number of 
persons who were crossing over Westminstcr-bridge, on 
seeing the flames ascending so fearfully, at once started oil 
and called the engines. In a very brief period the \v ater- 
loo-road, West of England, and brigade engines attended, 
under tho directions of Mr. Connorfon and Mr.Hambleton. 
The engines belonging to Messrs. Hodges, the distillers, 
was also soon in attendance, but owing to the praise- 
worthy exertions of the various hands employed on the 
premises end different wharfs near, the fire was prevented 
from destroying the workshops, although at one time the 
flames were rising over the principal buildings, containing 
manufactured stock of great value. The vessel in which 
the fire commenced is completely charred, and the counting- 
house is much blistered. Owing to the strong wind which 
prevailed, it was deemed advisable to keep two firemen on 
duty, for fear of the wind wafting any of the partially ex- 
tinguished embers into the boat-houses. The mains of the 
Lambeth Company afforded a plentiful supply of water, 
and the police, under their superior officers, kept excellent 
order. 
PISCATORIAL PROLUSIONS. 
Br the Hampshire Fly-Fisher. 
HAMPSHIRE AKD ITS RIVERS— THE ITCIIEN. 
I have been asked over and over again by brother anglers 
and especially those whose avocatious keep thorn “ cabined 
cribbed, confined ” in this swart aud smoky metropolis, for 
local information as to the rivers, and especially those con- 
taining trout and grayling, within fishing distance of 
London. My own experience has been principally confined 
to Hampshire, Berkshire, Devonshire, aud Kent. Indeed 
my line has been oftener ca>t in the pleasant streams of 
Hampshire than elsewhere, and it is delightful to re-tread, 
even in imagination, 
“Its valleys waterod by a thousand rill V 
while I hope the following notice will not be unacceptable 
to the readers of “The Field ” Happy, indeed, shall I 
b- if some of our kind correspondents in other counties shall 
be induced to follow my example, nnd give us tho benefit of 
thoir local knowledge. It would demand but littlo labour 
to produce a mass of piscatorial topography which would be 
invaluable. 
Still my readers mii-t not expect me to give them n 
minute account of all tho brooks and streams which are to 
be found in tlioso countios ; but such information as I can 
afford thorn is at their service. And first for Hampshire. 
Hampshire is intorsocted by lung ranges of chalk downs, 
forming, ns it were, groat basius. Rivers of greater or lessor 
importance rise in most of those and find thoir way into tho 
sea, nnd trout and grayling nro to bo found in most, nnd in 
some of them salmon nro caught. The Southampton basin 
is watered by the Test, swollen by tho junction of Uio Anton, 
the Itchen, the Hamble rivers, and anotbor considerable 
stream which rises in tho hills abovo Moon Stoke, in tho 
north-east, towards Petersflohl, and runs down through 
Waltham Chase, where one branch joins the Humble 
river, and the other run s by Wickham and Titchfiold 
into the sea. This last branch is commonly known ns 
the Titchfield river. In the Now Forest are two 6mall 
streams— the Exe, or Beauliou river, which empties it- 
s into the estuary of the Lymington river anil the 
iioldre water. On tho north side the rivor Wey rises in 
the North Downs, while the Auborno aud the Loddon have 
their course along tho border. The Loddon, however, is 
more famed for its piko then for trout. The basin of the 
Arun is separated from tho rest of the county by the Alton 
and Petorefield hills and tho South Downs. The principal 
stream Is the Rolher, which risos in Hampshire mid flows 
past Midhurst, in Sussex, into the Arun, and finds its way 
into the sea at Arundel. And on the extreme west, in the 
strip between Wiltshire aud Dorsetshire, tho Avon nnd tho 
Stour are to be found, and also tho Great Leonards Water, a 
tributary of the Stour; while the conjunction of the Stour 
and Avon below Christchurch form* Christchurch Haven. 
I need not say there ure a variety of other streams, in all of 
which, at lead a greater part, trout are to be found. 
Several springs rise in the Forest of Hero, and run by 
Southwick, by Jicdbampton, nnd Havant; another in 
the centre of the county, at Mitcbeldcvor, running by 
Bullington into tho Test. Ilcro is very good trout fi-lfing, 
but it would be impossible to particularise all tho minor 
tributary dream*, which, to use a Johnsonian word, reticu- 
late tho valleys of this favoured County, aud which caused 
old Isaak Walton to say that Hampshire exceeds all England 
for swift, shallow, clear, pleasant brooks, and stores of trouts. 
Of these rivers, tho Christchurch waters, the Itchen, aud 
tho Test nil contain salmon ; and these noble fish lmvo also 
ut times been known to run up the small brooks that run into 
thorn. At Christchurch they are often killed with tho flv; 
but with the exception of a grilse, which a friend of mine 
killed at Winchester, below St. Cross, many years back, none 
in my recollection, have been taken by anglers or other fly- 
fishers, either in tho Test or Itchen. I have heard, indeed, 
(hat an old friend of mine used, now nod then, to take ono 
by spinning a minnow in tho Test close to Redbridge, whore 
there is a regular salmon fishery ; but I cannot vouch for it 
of my own knowledge. Tho grayling is to he found in great 
numbers in tho Avon, the Tost, nnd the Itchen. It is not 
indigenous in tho lichen, nor I believe in any river in 
England. When it was first introduced into the other rivers 
is not known, probably by tho monks; to whom, I need not 
say, a supply of fish was indispensable, and accordingly we 
find the sites of most monastic houses close up or convenient 
to rivers or streams. If indeed we turn either to “ Domesday 
Book ” or “Dugdale’s Monastlcou ” we shall find ft piscarianr 
flshorv, or perhaps several, attached to most. Whether that 
word moans a Piscary, or right of fishing in the legal senso, 
or an artificial stew, I loavo learned men to decido ; probably 
it has both significations. 
The introduction of foreign fish too is no novelty ; old 
Sir Richard Baker In In's chronicle savs, 
“ Hops, Turkeys, Carp, mid Beer 
Came Into England nil in cine year.” 
But this is n digression. I was saying that grayling wore 
not indigenous in the Itchen. Tho first fish were put in 
I believe, by Mr. Dolmo Redcliffe some twenty years back at 
Shawford, and they have thriven wonderfully below Win- 
chester, for it seems to be tho peculiar habits of this fish to 
descend rather than ascend a stream. Now ami then one 
has been tuken above the town, but very rarely ; but below 
Shawford they are in many places moro numerous than the 
trout. A few (I believe a dozen) wore also put into the 
Titchfiold water, but they did not breed. It was supposed 
tho last was taken ubout two years back in that part of the 
stream which runs by Hill Place. It weighed, I was told, 
about 2lbs. 
The trout is to bo found everywhere, but the peculiarities 
of the fioh vary according to tho nature of the soil over which 
the waters flow. It may bo that there are two diff-irent 
species, — one tho red trout, the other the white. In the 
Itolion, too, the fishermen with thoir nets sometimes take a 
species of trout which they call a bougo or bowdge. It seems 
to be a variety of the sea trout, and is sometimes of considerable 
size. It is In many respects like a trout, but the spots ure 
black, or very deop purple. A fish answering I he same 
description was captured some years back in the river Clyst, 
near Exeter, with nets, and which weighed 24lbs or 2511 m. 
They called it a trout, but it was clearly not tho common 
trout; in all likelihood, it was the fish I am speuking of. 
Besides these finer ami nobler sorts, tho rivers of Hampshire 
contain pike, perch, roach, gudgeon, flounders, aud eels, 
and, in fact, almost ull sorts of fresh-water fish, with the 
exception of the bream, which I never heard of being found 
in them, at all events in tho south, I have hoard say that 
14 or lo different sorts are to betaken in the littlo brook 
that comes down from Hursley, and runs by Chandlers Ford 
and so into the Itchen at Woodmill, near Southampton. 
The waters are generally carefully preserved, nnd in addi- 
tion to this, are commonly very blight and clear, and to 
catch fish in them requires moro than ordinary skill. A good 
Hampshire fisherman may well expect to hold his own in 
trial of skill with tho Best fishermen from other rivers, be 
they who they will. So much for the general character of i 
the Hampshire rivers. Now for the Itchen. It risos at 1 
Ropley Dean at the foot of tho highlands, botweon Alton | 
and Alresford. I do not know much of the fishing above I 
Alresford, nor indeed do I believe there is much to | 
speak of with the exception of Alresford Pond. Close to the 
town of Alresford, I believe the water belongs to Mr. | 
Dunn ; bolow that to Mr. Marks, the Baroness Von Zant, 
nnd Sir E. Doughty. Another tributary stream, too, 
rises at Northington, and runs by the Grange, the seat 
of Lord Ashburton, who has some very good fishing, j 
and so on by Itchen Stoke into Itchen, near Ovington. The 1 
fishing at Itchen Stoke, I believe, is or was attached to 
tho rectory. Still lower, Mr. Shelley, who purchased 
the Avington property from the Duke of Bucking- 
ham, has considerable rights of finking, as has also 
Mr. Wall, of Worthy Park. Lower down nearer Win- 
chester, Mr. Jonas owns a portion of the river; and 
Mr. Pottle, the fishing-tackle maker of Winchester, has a 
subscription wator, the particulars of which may be had 
from him. A friend and myself had a good day’s sport 
some years back in Mr. Jonas’s water ; we caught nearly 3l) 
brace of fish, but only killed 10 brace. It was a cold 
stormy day, with showers of rain nnd hail — the 17th of 
April, and tho fish rose at intervals all the day long, the 
wind S.W. The flics we used wore light and dark Haro’s 
Ears, Grizzled Hackle, and Forn Flies. In the Alresford 
water, I once had also a capital day’s fishing, which at tho 
tnno I recorded in “ Thf. Field.” Below the town of Win- 
chester is a piece of free water, beautiful to look at and having 
a good many fish, which however is so much whipped, that 
it roquiros an exceedingly expert hand to ensure any sport 
there. Tho Itchen below Winchester is divided into what is 
culled the Old Iliverand tho Navigation, and belongs to Mr. 
Goldfinch. Lady Mddinay, Sir William Heathcote, Magdalen 
College, Oxford, Mr. Craven, of Brambridge, and then runs 
through Mr. Atkyu's meadows. But the greatest extent of fish- 
ing belongs to the Craven fumily, Mr. Chamberlayno, of 
Cranbury Park, and Mr. Fleming, of Stoneham Park; and this 
will bring the fisher to Woodmill, where tho tide runs up, 
and consequently fly-fishing ceases. I may remark that, 
generally speaking, the fish bolow Winchester are larger and 
hotter flavoured than those above tho town. Mr. Pottle’s 
water, which is the only fishing accessible to tho sportsman, 
without express permission from tho proprietor, is carefully 
presorved and full offish. If the fisherman does not fill his 
basket, he may blame himself for his luck ; ho will have no 
reason to find fuult with the wator. After all, luck Is every- 
thing. There are comparatively very few real fishing days 
in the course of the year, and it is very rarely, especially 
after tho beginning of April, that the fish rise all duy long ; 
I except, of course, tho May fly season, and porhaps tliut 
time when tho Gruunotn is upon the Test. So that, in order 
to fill his creel, on angler must not only have competent skill, 
hut 
1st. Tho right fly. 2nd. The right day, and tho right 
time of day. 
I should say that in tho beginning of March trout will 
Commonly rise best from two till five. They will rise earlier 
ami later, but I think thin is tho bust time. As the season 
advances they rise both earlier and later, and will commonly 
be on the feed from 11 till 1, or a littlo lator ; and if tho evening 
runs warm they would probably feed again about 5 or half- 
past; and this stnto of things will continue till tho May fly 
comes. And then the best of the day fly-fishing is over in 
the Itchen. In Juno and July tho fish will rise vory early 
in the morning, again about 9 a.m , and in the evening 
towards sun-down and a littlo after ; and from July through 
tho month of August and tho whole of September (after 
which no trout ought to bo taken), they maybe fished for iu 
the deep still waters under tho banks, especially on u mild 
night, nearly all night long with the caddis-fly or moth. 
'for fishing tho Itchen the sportsman will, of course, 
locate himself according to tho water to which ho has 
access. Alresford and Winchester, as may be expected, 
have both good inns ; nnd the position of oitlior is con- 
venient for the upper water. Bolow Winchester lie may 
obtain very comfortable quarters at Bishopstoke (perhaps ono 
of the prettiest villages in England), or at tho White Horse 
nt Oltorbourne. 
P.S.— I have just received a communication from Win- 
chester, from which I extract the following : — 
“Tills has been the most extraordinary Mayfly soason 
I ever recollect. Tho fly was up nnd taken by tho fish as 
early ns the 28th of Miy, several days earlier than usunl, in 
spite of the cold easterly wind then blowing; and up to the 
present It continues to rise in small numbers, and is even 
now taken by the fish. I killed ono yesterday evening that 
was full of them. The May fly poachers, I am happy to 
say, have done comparatively nothing !’* 
Kingsland Trout and Grayling Fishery.— This 
fishery presents facilities to lovers of piscatorial pursuits ; 
comprises nearly flvo miles of tho justly celebrated River 
Lugg, commencing at a point distant one mile and a half 
from the Borough of Leominster, and extending up the 
stream till within a trifling distance of that famous English 
antiquity, “ Mortimer’s Cross.” It Is now well stocked 
with largo trout uud grayling ; salmon are occasionally met 
with, and it is entirely free from course fish. The fishery is 
protected under tho auspices of a club, established in 1844, 
utidor whose caro tho bed of tho rivor is kept effectually 
staked so as to render notting impossible ; and the banks 
are rogularly patrolled by watchers, to prevent poaching and 
trespassing of every description. Although tho favourable 
character of tho Lugg for angling, and especially for fly fish- 
ing, is generally known, yet it may not bo amiss hero to stuto 
that any part of the fishery may bo angled in, from either 
bank, without the risk and unpleasantness of wading ; 
nnd an oxpert angler in u few hours, if favoured by 
a fair wind and a cloudy sky, may fill a largo pannier. 
The village of Kingsland, which for its salubrious air and 
adjacent scenery, combined with well-built houses, has long 
been tho theme of admiration, is situated within a fow 
minutes’ walk of the stroam. Comfortable private lodgings 
may bo procured on reasonable terms. There aro also two 
inns. A coach and mail-cart pass through it daily. The 
fishory is situated thirty miles from the city of Worcester, 
fifteen from Hereford, and ten from Ludlow ; from the for- 
mer place there is ready access daily by coach, and the two 
latter by railway — the Shrewsbury and Hereford passing 
within two miles. A limited number of tickets, conferring 
the right of fishing for the season, may bo obtained at £2 
each. For tickots and every other information, a pply to 
Mr. Richard Williams, conservator of tho fishery, Lugg- 
Green Cottage, Kingsland; or Mr. Frederick Allies, St. 
John’s Worcester. — Rules and regulations: — 1. Tho annual 
subscription be £2, the same to be paid in ndvanco on re- 
ceiving the ticket, and to commence on the l$t of January 
in each year. 2. No person will be considered a member 
until his subscription bo actually paid. 3. That the number 
of members bo thirty. 4. None but annual tickets issued. 
5. Any member be allowed to take a friend with him to 
angle. 0. No net of any description, except for tho pur- 
pose of landing fish when hooked, will ho allowed to be 
used within the limits of the fishery. 7. No spears, night- 
lines, or any unfair fishing allowed. 8. That no dogs be 
taken out by any one, or any wilful or unnecessary damage 
done, under the penalty of paying ton shillings for the first 
offence, and to be deprived of the privilege of fishing should 
he commit a second. 9. That no trout or grayling under 
seven iuches in length be taken. That one shilling bo paid 
or overy fi6h killed under that length. 
<0ur fettcr-Jpg. 
BLOODHOUNDS. 
Sir, — An obliging correspondent, “A Stag In the Woodlands,” 
writing In your journal of last week, In a communication upon 
■•Bloodhounds." inserted in “Our Letter-lmg,” observes “That any 
information ho can give of tho bloodhound, ho will bo happy to give 
on request." I’ormit me, Mr. Editor, to beg a little knowledge on this 
subject from the “monarch of the glen." 
Residing in a suburb of the “Great Metropolis," with rather a limited 
domain, I have not too much room for dogs of any kind, and much 
less bloodhounds. However, for some time past I have been endeavour- 
ing, with signal unsuccess, to get a bloodhound, or a bloodhound 
mastiff pup The colour is to me a matter of importance. I wish to 
get one fawn or red all over, and about twelve months old. As it is 
for a companion in my room, and in the London streets nnd parks, I 
cannot have a savage dog. Where can I procure a docile one T 
As your aitllered correspondent has so kindly volunteered to give 
some information about bloodhounds, may I beg publicity for this, 
hoping It may catch his eye whilst in tho “woodlands," nnd thus, 
sir, much oblige your most obedient servant, A Roebuck. 
Saturday, tho 17th Juno. 
CUTTING CATS' EARS, 
Sm,— Tho brutal fool who signs himself “ Mouser" deserves to have 
his own cars cropped for his cruel suggestion. 
The domestic cat Is persecuted enough in this country, without 
being tho victim of every country clod. However, those who try the 
experiment will not find it an easy matter; and, ns tho bite of an 
enraged cat is no Joke, it may perhaps cost tho operator his life, 
which would be of little consequence. 
Iu my youth, carriage horses were subject to this process by tho 
ignorant fools of that day. 
An Enkut to Cruelty, and Your Subscriber. 
. USE OF THE SPUR. 
Sir,— I n tho discussion of tho vexed question concerning tho use 
of tho spur by ladles, I think It very desirable that wo should under- 
stand rightly what wc are discussing. We are not discussing whether 
the spur is painful or not to the horse ; hut whether It does or does 
not render the ride more enjoyable to the lady. Of course tho spur fs 
very painful to the horse — thcro Is no doubt of it ; tho only reason why 
“ Annie " and other ladies ride with it Is because It is capable of in- 
flicting the greatest possible amount of suffering upon tho horse, with 
the least possible amount of inconvenience to the rlderl If it could 
not cause tho horse very groat pain no ono would deslro to use It. Of 
course It is painful to the horse; because, though some fair riders may 
use It but seldom, the contlnuul fear of such acuto agony it is capable of 
causing, at the slightest wish of tho rldor, must necessarily bo very pain- 
ful to the horse This Is the nrgumont “ Annie " nnd a host of othdr 
correspondents bring forward In favour of the uso of it. This la tho 
argument your lady and equine correspondents have brought forward 
against it. Now, sir, I urn a decided opponent to tho spur being used 
by ladles, but I cannot holp asking, Is It a sufficient reason to bring 
against It,'. that It Is painful to tho horse T To iny mind It certainly Is 
