1084 
tiie field. 
Chichester, 7th Dragoon Guards ; Mr Alley, and 
the horse-dealer, of James-street Dublin; all of whom rode 
throughout as a hunt should be r idden. 
THE BADSWORTH HOUNDS. 
The Badsworth country presents the prospects of a season 
fully equal, if not superior, to any former year, and amply 
calculated to sustain its ancient renown On the opening 
(hv at Womersley, there was no deficiency of foxes in 
the adjacent covers; but, for satisfactory reasons they 
■were not forced with ail unusual pressure ; and although, 
under these circumstances, they only ran several smart 
rings, the sport was interesting, and just sufficient, with 
regard to the horses, to give their riders a taste of “ the 
qualities of their pastures." The second meet, however, was 
more interesting. The hounds met at Marr V illage, with a 
field of “ the right Bort." Owen threw them into Melton 
Wood ; and speedily three or four foxes were on their pads, 
and equally on the alert. A little difficulty bad to be en- 
countered; but Owen selected one of his acquaintances, and 
having laid the houndB well on, ho broke cover in the direc- 
tion of Vicker’s Holt and the Tumuli, as if shaping his course 
for Barnbrough ; yet bending towards Hangman's Stone and 
St. Helen's Chapel, and thence to Melton Warren. But, not 
liking these quarters, lie rounded the hill into Melton I ark, 
and passed in front of the Hall, and so onwards to the top of 
Wildthorpe Cliff; thence to Cadeby, through the new church- 
yard. It was evident that Master Reynard had been out 
late at night," and was "up to a trick or two;” for near 
Cadeby Rattles, the'hounds were at fault, and for awlnle they 
could not make him out. The hounds were then thrown 
Into the Pot Ridings, and a few well-known notes announced 
a find. He presently showed his brush, and evidently meant 
mischief. He rushed into Sprotbrough Plantations; and 
then pointed his nose to Scnbba Wood. But lie shied that 
well-known habitation, and leaving the Brick-kiln Quarry 
on the left, crossed the Melton Road, as if determined to 
reach Burnt Wood ; but he deployed to Malton Brand, and 
so on to Melton Wood, from whence the pack had at first 
snuffed the open. An unexpected check was here come to. 
The scent was bad and the hounds could not carry it, although 
the run was against the wind. Prom the spot just mention- 
ed to this point, the run was delightful, the pace good, and 
the field well up, as well as the spirits of the horses. After 
a short time, through the tiiet of the huntsman, the scent 
was recaught. The fox broke away, and shaped his course to 
Melton Warren, and crossed the low-ground to Melton Mill. 
Being rather tightly pressed, and not liking the roar behind 
hia brush, he sought refuge iu a drain which runs beneath 
the road on the lower portion of Melton Hill on the margin 
of the Park. A rather long delay took place, which remind- 
ed some of the field of sandwich time. The drain was 
opened at each end ; hut several terriers refused to face him, 
and he declined to bolt. The water-course was then opened 
in the centre of the road ; und, in order to give him a fair 
chance, the hounds were called off into the Park. Seizing 
the most favourable opportunity, he rushed out on the south 
side, and had sufficient “law" to ensure his own safety. 
Away he went, clear of the pack, and curved into the Park. 
The run over this ground was a cheerful breathing. Reach- 
ing the spot formerly used as a training-ground, the hounds 
were at fault for a few minutes. Owen harked the pack 
back, and Boon recovered the scent, which the favorites 
seemed to carry better than before. Reaching Cadeby, he 
ran into a farm-yard and got under a shed. He was soon 
unkennelled, viewed onwards, and Bought for security in a 
labourer's cottage. Ned, the first whip, dismounted and 
entered the place, closed the door, and soon brought him out 
in a whip-noose, and the hounds gave him his quietus. He 
was a remarkably fine fox ; and one of that sort, which, had 
he escaped his enemies this time, would, on some future 
occasion, have showed them the road to Penistone. The 
brush was presented to Wm. Godson, Esq., of Sandall Grove. 
Wiltshire. — Fox-hunting has commenced with tolerable 
success, bo far as abundance of the "varmint” are concerned; 
hut the ditcheB are still blind from green weeds, and trees 
and hedges are yet unstripped of their leaves, so that riding 
close to hounds is voted a bore, and moBt are content with 
an occasional glanoe at them, satisfied that at this early stage 
of the season every run will be only comparatively good. Mr. 
Asslieton Smith's turn-out, both as regards horses and hounds, 
is very complete, and promises well /or the hill and dale 
Bouth east of Devizes ; and unless Will Long’s opinion is good 
for nothing, the Duke of Beaufort will show some excellent 
bunting in the inclosurea north-weBt of this town. The 
C ave 1 taki their old country, and the South Wilts provide 
lor the district west and south of Warminster, bo that this 
country is, at any rate, no worse than it has been. Hares 
are strong and in good wind. Mr. TugwelTs, with whom, as 
usual, condition is a sine quii non both as to horses and 
dogs, has had a few good bursts, but if a swim through eight 
yards of the canal by hare, hounds, and one or two horsemen, 
16 excepted, no unusual incident has occurred. Lord 
Broughton's former pack of harriers, now in other hands, 
and supported by subscription, come out under the title of 
the “ Vale of Wylye Hamers,” and will rouse up that rich 
and pretty neighbourhood in a style not to be surpassed by 
any pack. — Currant Jelly. 
Mr. Assheton Smith's Hounds. — On Tuesday last the 
meet was at Stowell Lodge ; ami at eleven o’clock about 
forty horsemen had assembled. The hospitable owner of the 
" Lodge," asked in, not only the gentlemen in pink, but the 
whole field, to partake of the substantial luncheon which 
had been laid out for them. At twelve o’clock the hounds 
were thrown into Draycott Wood, when a brace of foxes 
were soon on foot, and the field, after an excellent day’s 
■port, separated. — Salisbury Journal. 
Hungerford. — The meeting of the Earl of Portsmouth's 
Hounds at Hungerford Park on the 3rd inst., excited an un- 
o >ual degree of interest. There was a number of carriages early 
on the spot to witness the start ; among the company were the 
Marchioness of Aylesbury and attendants, tbe Misses Shelly, 
of Elcott, T. Poynder, Esq., of Barton Court, and a vast 
as lemblage of persons on foot, who had a beautiful view of 
the fox across the park for a considerable distance. The 
morning was exceedingly fine and clear, which caused many 
to linger for the return of hounds. — Reading Mercury. 
The Westmeath Hounds. — This newly established pack 
of fox-hounds, under the mastership of Sir Richard Levinge, 
Birt., of Knockdrin Castle, have had their first two advertised 
11 meets” at the respective seats of their two principal 
supporters : on November 1st at Ballynegall, the seat of 
J. W. Middleton Berry, Esq.; and on November 4th at 
Rosmeade, the seat of Lord Vaux, of Harrowden. On the 
first day the sport was altogether confined to covert-hunting, 
end the fox was at leDgth, after a deal of worrying round 
and round the immense coverts of Knockdnn, run to 
trround in an earth which had not been known of before 
6 - - --*■ On the 4th, however, at 
ana inereiu*® , , . .. 
Rosmeade Ransom, the huntsman, had not thrown the 
hounds into cover two minutes before two or three old 
hounds "opening” gave intelligence that "the gentleman 
was at home,” aud from the straight way iu which they 
went through the woods it was clear that he meant business. 
At first he pointed his head in the direction of the famed 
Meath Covert of Killalleu ; but afterwards bearing more to 
the right he passed the plantations of Kilrush, aud made 
towards the woods of Killua ; soon, however, he changed his 
intention— ->nly skirted Killua, and made for Drewstown ; 
after crossing the wide pasture iu that direction ; he crossed 
the high road, and appeared to be making for a well-known 
sewer in the lauds of Friennore. Finding himself, however, 
too hot to go in, he appeared to be steering for Gilltown, 
when he wheeled to the left and got into the bog covert at 
Drewstown, when Sir Richard Levinge, after a brilliant run 
of an hour and five minutes without a check, ordered the 
hounds to be called off, wishing to deal in the most 
gentleman-like way with the Meath country, about parts of 
which there have unfortunately been some disputes between 
the two hunts. , . i j 
Carlow and Island Hounds.— The Carlow and Island 
hounds met on Tuesday week, at Old Park, where a large 
field of sportsmen was in attendance. Some time was spent 
in drawing the plantations blank. The master then headed 
for Pollerton, where a fox was soon found, but unfortunately 
he ran to earth in a sewer about a mile from the covert. 
The next draw was Moorstown, where a magnificent fox 
broke and went away iu gallant style, passing over a fine 
grass country, intersected with Btiff fences ; he also took 
refuge in a sewer beyond Johnstown. It was evident, from 
the few up at the finish, that the horses are not fit, at this 
early period of the season, to run so long and severe a hunt 
as that on Tuesday week. 
A Good Run with the Puckeridoe Hounds.— On Wed- 
nesday, 15th November, the meet was at Peveril's. Found 
at Rondywood ; gave him one ring in the cover, then away 
at a tremendous pace over the still' inclosures, to the end of 
Cronywood, leaving Mr. Dunsford’s house on the left, then 
forward for Peveril's Wood, pointing for Dibdon Bent. He 
then turned to the right, and ran nearly to Shortgroves Park, 
but got headed ; turned down to the Newport station, where 
he was again headed. He then crossed the W iddington 
Commons, as though he meant the high wood ; but he again 
altered his course, turned to the right, weut under the rail- 
road, and up to Queendou Wood, where he beat us, at the 
end of a fine run of 54 minutes. Found the second fox at 
Arseywood ; gave him two rings in the cover there ; then 
away for Norman House; turned to the left, crossed the 
Newmarket-road, and forward to Durel s Park, pointing a 
little for East End ; turned to the right, as though he meant 
Burchanger ; but he again altered his course, running straight 
for Taylor’s Wood, and was killed just going into Takeley 
Forest, at the end of forty minutes. Distance from point to 
point near six miles ; hut at any rate the hounds must have 
covered nine miles. This ends one of the best days that 
has been seen for years. — I am, Sir, yours, A Red Rover. 
Hunting Extraordinary. — As a funeral procession was 
proceeding to the church at Roystone, on Thursday last, a 
hare, with the Ecclesfield pack of hounds close upon her, 
came at full speed down the town, and poor puss was killed 
in the midst of the mourners. — Doncaster Chronicle. 
The Brighton Harriers met on Saturday at the Dyke. 
The field was large, and the morning gay. Found the first 
hare on Portslade Tenantry Hill, making for Diamond, Cock- 
a-Roost, back to White Lot, Pay Thom, to the Front Hill, 
doubled back to White Lot, and was lost, after a beautiful 
run of 35 minutes. Found again close by, going off for the 
Tenantry Hill, Atlingworth Barn, the Roost, leaving Port- 
slade to the left, for Southwick Furze, over Thunder’s Bar- 
row, dipping the next bottom for the Honey Crocks, White 
Lot, to the Roost, where she was killed, being au exceedingly 
good run of 55 minutes. Found a third in Bentfield’s Bot- 
tom, going away at score for West Bottom, crossing the Dyke 
Road for Pond Brow, to the Brink of the Dyke, where they 
got a view, into Botting's Furze, broke again for the Dyke 
House, turned short to the left for Fulking Hill, skirted 
Scab’s Castle Furze for Atlingworth Bara, up the hill for 
New England, where she made a sudden turn for New Barn 
Furze ; getting up a view, they ran into her near the New 
England Pond. This was a splendid forty minutes, with 
only one check, and ended a capital day's sport. They also 
met on Monday at Patcliam. Found on the Middle Brow, 
bending her course for Standean South Hill, headed back for 
the Holt, which she skirted, to her old quarters, where she 
squatted in a piece of rape ; getting up a view, they sent her 
away over Keymer Hill, dipping the next bottom for the 
Front Hill, leaving the Stripes to the left, down the hill to 
the Whiteland's Shaw, on for Clayton, crossed the Lewes 
Road to the London Rail, passed over that into Clayton 
Wood, where they unfortunately moved a fresh hare, being 
a bad finish of an excellent run. Returned to a hare in 
Patcham Bottom, making for the Tegden, the Level 
Bara, headed back for the Tegden, to the Junipers, 
doubled back her foil to Patcham Bottom, where she squatted 
in a piece of rape, going away a view for the Dencher, turned 
to the left for Ewe Bottom, Deep Bottom, and was killed in 
the Holt, after a good run of 52 J minutes. Found another 
on South Hill, going away at railroad speed for Winder's 
Hill Plantation, through the Standean Covers, for Clayton 
Bottom, turned to the right over Keymer Hill, taking the 
Ditchling dips to the Beacon down, the Front Hill to the 
Lime Kilns, crossed the road for Ditchling, and was killed 
close to Jointer’s Copse. This was a splendid run of fifty 
minutes, the pace being very severe, and it was with great 
difficulty the horses lived with them over the turf. 
The Queen's County Hounds. — The first meet of the sea 
son of these houndB took place on Thursday week at 
Sheffield, and if the opening day be any omen to those that 
follow, we may expect a brilliant season. The hounds found 
at once, on being put into cover, but there was no scent up 
to two o’clock. After hanging about the cover, and taking 
one ring round Derry bottoms, hounds were drawn off. 
They were then trotted to Cullcnagh, which was blank. Der- 
ry fore, so well known to the sporting men of the Queen’s 
County and County Kilkenny, w as then the order ; and well 
did it maintain its character — for no sooner were thfe hounds 
thrown into cover than they found an old fox. After being 
hunted once at the Kilkenny side, he broke as if for Cullc- 
nagh, but turned at Blondsfort, and not within a field of the 
cover, and crossed the Abbeyleix and BallinakLH roads ; 
turned short to tho left, aud up Knock-hill, which stopped 
nearly all tho field ; as by the time they got to the top, the 
hounds were entering Mr. Cassan’s farm half a mile a head ; 
and as they come to but oue slight check, it was useless to 
follow further. At this time there were but four with tho 
hounds, and two of these dropped off shortly after, and left 
the other two to finish. — Mr. John Jacob, riding a sister to 
Torrent, and Harnett, the huntsman ; the next was Mr 
Edward Garraway. After running over Mr. Cassia's land, 
they crossed into Grainahound, and ran him into a sewer 
within a mile of Foulk fox cover, in the county of Kilkenny. 
So severe was the pace and large the fences, that four horscn 
without riders got on tho Ballinakill road together, and one 
(the Mountain Hare) weut in the direction of Groom (?), and 
up to dark had not been heard of. The beautiful condition 
of the hounds was the admiration of every person out ; and 
as long as they are under the management of Robert H, 
Stubber, Esq., their popular and sporting master, we may 
expect the some sport we have enjoyed the first of this 
season. 
For the information of Naturalists, Antiquarians, 
Museums, and Lovers of the World's Produce. — We Lave 
been favoured by a correspondent who has been making an 
extensive tour through different parts of England and York- 
shire, for the purpose of obtaining information of what 
novelties he could meet with. Amongst his inquiries, heard 
of Mr George Palmer’s collection of antlers, &c., residing at 
Wentworth Park. Having obtained an introduction to Mr. 
Palmer the park-keeper, who I found to be a very obliging 
and intelligent man, he very politely (as a atranger) showed 
me his vast collection of antlers. I was astonished on 
finding some of the most splendid specimens in the world, 
from the diminitive animal the chamois up to the far-famed 
Wappiti deer (now nearly extinct). In course of con- 
versation with Mr. Palmer, find he has for nearly a quarter 
of a century collecting such a museum together, with a great 
expense and labour. He appears to possess antlers from 
most of the animals found, and from some unknown. His 
collection contains about 200 specimens from different parts 
of the world, undescribable for their beauty and magnitude. 
I will challenge the world (as a private individual) to produce 
such a collection as Mr. Palmer. He has a fine specimen of 
diseased boras from nature, about sixty of them. What a 
rare case they would make for some museum. Mr. Palmer 
seems tired of collecting, aud no doubt would dispose of all 
his collection. 
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HORSE. 
To the Editor of The Field. 
Sir, — I send you this commencement of the Autobiography 
of a Horse, because your humanity has already granted 
insertion to many communications affecting the happiness of 
animals. If you should see fit to give a place to the story 
of which this is the beginning, I can only trust that it may be 
the means of alleviating some of the sufferings to which the 
noblest of all God's creatures — man alone excepted — are at 
present subjected. 
I need hardly add that if this Autobiography be found 
worthy iu any way of answering this high end, it is wholly 
and thoroughly in your hands, to do with it, after its 
publication in your most valuable paper, what you please.— 
Yours, X. Y.Z. 
Years of suffering have almost completely obliterated from 
my memory the events of the three first years of my life. 
As I desire in these pages to mention nothing of which I am 
not quite sure, I shall commence my narrative at the tirno 
when I found myself the property of John Stafford, Esq., 
intended for the use of his daughter Lucy. I remember 
well the day when I was brought round to the front door, to 
be inspected by the assembled family. Amongst all those 
who had come to admire the new horse, my eyes lighted upon 
one, who, in my inmost soul I trusted was to be my future 
mistress. She was small — that in itself was something — was 
veiy pretty, aud had a look of such charming gentleness 
about her, that I felt sure, if she was to ride me, my life 
must be happy. Ah ! how little then did I dream of what was 
before me — of the years of weariness aud pain — how little 
did I know that at the present time, broken-kneed, broken - 
winded, broken-hearted, I should be gradully whipped to 
death; hasteningto my end not less surely — oh ! how infinitely 
more painfully — than the next appointed victim in the 
knacker’s yard ! I knew thiB not, and with what pleasure did 
I see the lady I had fixed my eye upon come up to me and 
pat me with her gentle hand ! With what joy did I hear her 
speak a few kind words at once to my ear, claiming me as 
hers, and promising me kindness at her hands! "Lucy, 
one of her sisters exclaimed — " Lucy, is the horse your. very 
own?” “My own — my very own” was the reply. "Deare-t 
papa, I am so much obliged to you.” — " What shall you call 
it, Lucy?” — "Oh ! I never thought of that : Emperor; will 
that do ? ” “ Only it is a lady, and ought to have a lady s 
name,” — "Oh, then, will Janet or Isabelle do ?’’ Isabelle was 
fixed upon as my new name. “ And I shall give you a feed 
every morning my own self,” continued my young mistress, 
" and no one shall ever ride you but myself, and though 
mamma has given me such a beautiful whip, you shall never 
bo whipped unless you are very very naughty, and that you 
never will be.” " I am afraid," said a pleasant looking lady, 
whom I supposed to be Mrs. Stafford, “ if horse and mistress 
come to such pleasant terms, mamma’s whip will not be of 
much use, “ Oh yes, mamma, you know all ladies ride with 
whips ; and Isabelle may sometimes forget herself, or may 
not understand what I want; but I hope not, and I am sure 
you would not like me to use your whip unless it is neces- 
sary.” — “ No, my darling, indeed I would not, but I certainly 
don't expect my Lucy to be cruel. Indeed, I thm 
Isabelle will have such a pleasant mistress that she will be 
quite spoiled for any other.” Mrs. Stafford did not mistake 
the kindness of her daughter. I had not been more than a 
fortnight at Stafford Lodge, before I was confirmed in my 
opinion of the humanity of my mistress. She was riding m® 
in company with a friend of hers, when we came to a steer 
hill. Her friend, a Miss Cathcart, wished to canter l *P 
Miss Stafford objected — " it is so dreadfully steep.” v " u 1 
is so delightful cantering up these hills.” — “ It must be very 
painful to the horse : it must be tiring enough carrying us up 
at a walk.” " I never saw,” replied Miss C., " such an o 
girl as you are, Lucy, you always seem to think more 
your horse than for yourself; you cau’t half enjoy a rule, 
you go ou in this absurd manner. I am sure I am not cr < 
but certainly I should never think of giving up my 
pleasure for fear of tiring my horse.” " And yet, c 
Emily, 1 ” my rider replied, " I suppose it is just as dl ^ rt t 
able for horses to be tired, ns for us. I know I should n 
like to have to run up this hill, and so I will not make y 
horse canter up with mo on his back.” “ Tho idea of c 
paring horses with women — woll, I shall cantor up and " ^ 
for you,” so saying, she gave her horse a smart touch ' vl 
her whip and off they set. How I loved my young, 1 j 
mistress for her humanity 1 Oh, if ladies knew the dreai 
