1203 
the field. 
CONTENTS. 
Chronicle o( the Week 1,203 
Snort and Sportsmen ^204 
Hunting L205 
Coursing , 207 
Shooting ,207 
Cricket 1.20s 
Yachting 1 , 2 oi 
Angling 1.200 
Sportsman s Library , 200 
Field Sports and Pastimes ’ ’ ' ’ , 2U9 
Gardening 1210 
Tlie Country llouse. ... 1,213 
Poetry 1,213 
Freemasonry 1,2 14 
Letter Bag i' 2 H 
Suitlemkn r I 217 
NOTICE. 
If 'ith (he first number of the new volume of The Field, 
and the new year, there will be presented to the Sub- 
scribers 
THE SPORTSMAN’S ALMANAC, 
AND 
Cauntni (Dfiitlpinaii’s Calpithar; 
tiie field, the garden, tiie farm, 
For the Year 1855. 
This Almanack will contain superb Engravings, from 
designs by Ansdell, Wilson, and others , with all the 
information useful for reference in the country house. 
N.B . — This will be given to all who are Subscribers to 
The Field for the gear 1855. 
Advertisements for “ The Sportsman's Almanack" 
should be sent to The Field Office without delay to secure 
insertion. 
NOTICE. 
On Monday next The Field Office will be removed to 
Essex House, Nos. 2 to 5, Essex-street, Strand ; where all 
communications, orders, and advertisements, arc requested to 
be addressed, to the Editor. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
RACING. 
Ashford. — Wc do not give advice on betting matters. 
]'. </.— Won in a canter. 
ijiif.'tor . — Walked over. 
Simplex.— Had you perused onr racing columns, you would have 
found Tiie Knight did not show. 
.Taper . — Scratched a few days before the race. 
Trotlrr . — The weight was increased for the height. 
A 1.— The winner was bought in. 
HUNTING. 
Slirruj ). — In turning the liouuds, tho whipper-in cannot be too quiet. 
Harrier. — Yes. It is almost the invariable pructieo with the hare to face 
the wind. 
1 btrkntoay . — We shall always receive accounts of runs from you with 
pleasure. 
Iixen . — 1 The run lasted about an hour. 
Fincher . — Try bleeding; it is a safe and efficacious menus of relief. 
S'lichcr .— The foxes' lect are generally called “ pads.” 
Urltn . — You will find the information in “ Forcs's Guide to tlio Hounds 
of England." 
COURSING. 
T. 7'.— Tiie Judge should have a full view of the course throughout. 
■Si/ljih . — A bye 
Max . — Beaten hollow. 
Scni'x —Modcru coursing dates from the time of ‘‘good Queen Boss.” 
Frond*. — In coursing, the dog pursues by sight only, not by scent, as in 
fox, hare, and stag-hunting. 
SHOOTING. 
M t hi Fowl . — Direct your aim by the noise of the wings. 
/ iijnlix. — Your want of success may arise from trepidation at the moment 
of firing. This should he overcome, as decision is everything. 
Snap , — In a flying-shot, let the object get a fair distance before you lire. 
CRICKET. 
A". — No. It would not be out. 
It. V.— Yes; as your question is framed, it would be so. 
1 .—Wait till tho next season. 
./. li . — Certainly not. 
S. T. (Norwich). — Yes. Pilch was at Norwich at the period you speak 
of. 
A Subscriber. — Yes. 
U. Y— The match you speak of was played at the Oval two years since. 
J ark . - No. 
O', s , — Renew your question in April. 
YACHTING. 
Hancieh You are quite light. It was an error of tho printer, who, by 
running the two answers into one, made it appear that tho Novice was 
your Commodore's yacht. 
J. T //.—The question of shilling ballast will very soon be brought 
before the It L.Y.C, 
T. Wood , — We believe that it is the intention of the Royal Thames Yacht 
Club to follow the exumplo of the ltoynl Mersey, and give the whole 
proceeds of tlieir ball to the Royal Patriotic Fund. 
1 S. - 7'.— It is nil very well to say tiiat the Vesper only beat the Arrow, 
Ac., in consequence of very light winds, but when the breeze got up— 
which it did, and lasted more than an hour — the result was the same. 
It Y. I . C . — The qualities of tho yachts are so equal that it is almost im- 
possible to say which is best. Wo should never offer an opinion on 
what might be the result of another match, unless wc knew who would 
sail them. 
ANGLING. 
An Irii'immi . — Somo years ago there were no stake or bag nets, and, 
consequently, salmon were then more plentiful than they arc now. The 
course from the rivers <0 the sea is now only clear at such times when 
the fish do not pass. Salmon will never become plentiful so long as 
the breeders are allowed to be destroyed by fixtures. We cannot 
promise to publish your suggestions. Send them, and if they arc fea- 
sible, we will insert them. The framer of the proposed bill will, in all 
probability, at least see your communication. 
POULTRY. 
C. C — Not to be compared with the eggs of the true black Spanish. 
A. //.—strew the house with gravel. 
Chester . — The vessel from which the birds drink should have a cover to 
keep out dirt. There are patent “ fountains'* to be got at almost any 
earthenware shops. 
Ami/. - The lameness may arise from a cut foot. Examine the birds. 
Possibly a piece of broken eliina or glass may have been thrown where 
they scratch. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
U, 11 (ll'inrhcster) — In the game of foot-ball at Winchester College, 
our correspondent of last week should have stated that tho Collegians 
WOH by 1, instead of 2. 
C // .—Undoubtedly it is an infringement. 
/ "b iiimr . — The Law Reversionary Interest Society is perfectly respect- 
uble, and safo to be dealt with. 
"c thank our Rugby friend for bis communication, It arrived too late 
fur insertion this week, but will appear in our next. We hope he win 
continue them. 
Notice . — No contributions voluntarily sent to (his Journal wtll 
be paid for. AU, except such as arc forwarded in pursuance 
of an express arrangement with the present Proprietors, w.ll 
be received and treated as the usual gratuitous correspond- 
ence of a journal. 
Some changes having been made in the Editorial Departments 
of The Field, alt communications are requested to be 
addresecJ, in future, (0 “the Edita? of Tub Finn MR.-* 
m, Strand .” 
cTIir full. 
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 23, 1854. 
CHRONICLE OF THE WEEK. 
^IIE extraordinary Session of Parliament, having 
served the purpose for which it was held, is 
at an end. Summoned for a special purpose, the 
estates of the realm have effected that and no more ; 
and, certainly, if Parliament were nothing better than 
a mere machine, constitutionally necessary to the 
making of laws as drawn up by Her Majesty’s Mi- 
nisters, the present might have been judged to have 
performed its duty admirably. But the people of this 
country expect something more from Parliament ; or, 
at least, from that portion of it which professos to 
represent them. They expect a jealous watchfulness 
oyer their rights and interests, and that free discus- 
sion of all new measures which alone can ventilate 
them thoroughly, and without which there can be 
nothing but legislation in the dark. In the present 
instance, though there has been a little lively discus- 
sion upon the Foreign Enlistment Bill, there has been 
very little, if any, real discussion worthy the name ; 
and two most important measures have been passed 
within rather less than a fortnight, protected by a 
declaration from the Ministry that they considered 
discussion a factious opposition, and rejection as com- 
pelling them to resign. This may be called putting 
the screw upon Parliament very effectively. Of 
course, for the Ministry to resigu would be, just now, 
a very inconvenient step, especially as wo appear to 
be in doubt whether there is sufficient talent in the 
country to form another, and for that reason, our re- 
presentatives grumbled and swallowed tho obnoxious 
bill. 
The Militia Bill passed without opposition. One 
or two amendments, proposed in a friendly spirit, 
were received in the same manner by tho framers of 
the bill. The most important of these was a clause 
to prevent any militia regiment from being sent out 
of the country entirely at any one time. Depots are 
always to remain here. The advantages of this clause 
are obvious. 
The Foreign Enlistment Bill, which proves not to 
be a measure for the organisation of a Polish Legion, 
but for a German one, provoked a degree of hostility 
against the Ministers ; which, if not promptly 
smothered, might have caused a ministerial crisis. 
Lords Ellenborough and Derby headed the oppo- 
sition in the Lords, and they based their objections 
principally upon the argument that it was unjust 
to the people of this country to have recourse to 
foreign mercenaries before all the channels of supply 
in our own country had been fairly tested. In 
answer to the precedents quoted by the supporters of 
the bill, it was very fairly argued that, in those cases, 
the auxiliaries were personally interested in the 
struggle ; but that in no case had England availed her- 
self of the services of mercenaries who had no other 
inducement to fight than the mere pay offered them. 
So powerful was the opposition in the House of Fecrs, 
that the bill only passed through by a very slight 
majority, and in the Commons the division upon the 
second reading only gave a majority of 39 in favour 
of the Ministry. Commenting upon the threat of the 
Ministry to resign in case of a defeat, Mr. Drum- 
mond said, with some bitterness : — “ I think it was 
exceedingly unfair to say, that if we do not swal- 
low this measure before the country has time to 
form its opinion upon it, wc are to be threatened 
with the withdrawal of the great Duke of Newcastle. 
There are certain members of her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment whom I should greatly grieve to lose ; but, I 
confess that I should not greatly grieve if the Duke 
of Newcastle were to take his departure. 1 should 
not think they would go into mourning for the event 
in our camp before Sebastopol, though possibly the 
Emperor of Russia might receive the news with sor- 
row.” The country has as yet expressed no opinion 
about this Foreign Enlistment Bill, but private con- 
versation is altogether against it, as insufficient and 
immoral. The country lias, indeed, few opportunities 
of expressing any opinion ; and when its so-called 
representatives meet, the Ministers snub them if they 
presume so much as to suggest a criticism. 
The most graceful and pleasing function of Parlia- 
ment has been the passing votes of thanks to the 
army, the navy, and our allies the French. Some 
discussion arose with respect to Admiral Dundas ; 
but it was not deemed expedient to omit him from 
the vote. The voto of thanks to the French was 
unusual, but most graceful and appropriate. 
These interchanges of deserved compliment, and 
sincere tributes to each other’s valour, will cement 
the alliance vet. mnw t’*’ 1 " 1 *’ T— 
perhaps, have allies rendered such conspicuous service 
to those with whom they took the field as have the 
French to an army in its imminent peril upon the 
heights of Inkerman. 
From Sebastopol we have no other news than that 
preparations for renewing the bombardment were pro- 
ceeding vigorously. Tho allies were doing little more 
than replying gun for gun to the occasional firing of the 
Russians. Against the French lines the cannonading 
was at intervals raoro fierce, and sorties had been 
made without success. This is attributable to the 
fact, that the parallels of the French have approached 
nearer to the walls than our own. The siege works 
were very much impeded by the rain, which had con- 
verted “ the trenches into dykes,” and the men wero 
busy hutting themselves. The troops last arrived 
upon the sent of war have suffered most from the 
weather, having been exposed to all its rigours before 
they became acclimatised. 
“ Negotiations” between the Cabinets of Vienna and 
St. Petersburg aro said to bo still on the tapis, but 
the result is yet hid in the womb of tho future. The 
popular interpretation of the Austrian treaty is, that 
if the Czar should not accede to terms of peace satis- 
factory to the Western Powers before January, then 
Austria will become a belligerent Power, and will 
actively co-operate with tho allies. If this be a cor- 
rect view of tho real state of the case, the prospects of 
peace becomo even more remote ; for there cannot ho 
a doubt, that however irritated the Czar may bo 
against France and England, lie will be still more 
implacable against his neighbour Austria, who has 
been trimming and temporising so long. 
Tho result of the Marylebone election verifies our 
prediction of last week. Lord Ebrington’s majority 
was overwhelming. Sir Charles Napier received 
telegraphic intimation from Government, that if ho 
stood for Marylebone he must resign his command, 
and consequently the only candidates were Lord 
Ebrington and Mr. Boll. The vestry sided with tho 
latter, but the aristocratic party proved too strong ; 
and the vestry, which generally rules the roast, found 
itself, on this occasion, in a minority. Mr. Poto, by 
accepting tho Government contract to construct a 
railway between Balaklava and the trenches, has 
brought himself under tho scope of tho Act of Par- 
liament which forbids any Member to become a 
Government contractor. The spirit of this enactment 
is clear, and Air. Poto is morally set beyond its reach 
by the abnegation of all profit; still the letter of an 
Act must be observed, and therefore Mr. Pcto resigns 
the representation of Norwich. 
It is very much to be hoped that the alternative 
given by the Government to 8ir Charles Napier does 
not foreshadow his return to the Baltic next year. 
Yet, what else can it mean? 
The case of Birch v. Forster proves this, at least, — 
that the press at large does not acquiesce in the 
morality of hiring itself out for the support of a 
government. Doubtless, some people will quote it 
as an example of the venality of the press ; but these 
should remember, that the exposure of tho offence 
came from the press itself, and that the defendant in 
this very action, who has administered to the offender 
such a severe and well-merited castigation, is a mem- 
ber of the press of far greater reputation than Birch, 
whose support of a Lord-Lieutenant was, nevertheless, 
deemed worth three thousand seven hundred pounds 
in hard cash. Now*, it is well known the World was 
a paper of the very worst possible reputation, and was 
regarded in Dublin in very much the same light as 
the Satirist was in London ; and it becomes a ques- 
tion that, if the World was worth purchasing at 
£.3,700, what would the Examiner be worth, and 
what fabulous sum would represent tho money value 
of the Times. The money argument is, after all, tho 
best one to prove the impossibility of buying tho 
press; at least, such organs of it as have any in- 
fluence. If they circulate, what sum within the scopo 
of a bribe could compensate the risk of destruction, 
inevitable upon discovery ? if they do not circulate, 
their support is worth nothing. When a paper is 
bought, there must he a knave on one side and a fool 
on the other side of ths bargain. 
It has been announced, on very good authority, 
that our contemporary, tho Sunday Times, is about to 
change hands ; M. Kossuth, it is certain, is engaged to 
write political articles. If the noblo M-eA^ * 1 ' writes 
the English language as well as he -peaks it, these 
will be read with deep interest ^ an Y rate, ^ tho 
appearance of the ex-governor-/ 1 Hungary as a jour 
lialist is a significant M proving that, m hu 
opinion, tho pen is a n>'« effective weapon in Eng- 
land than the sword, and that, alter all, the best way 
to convince » 10 
Th „ flow graving dock .-.t Southampton, was 
Mor ,iay, nuil the Ucucral Screw tympany's ate u 
tho first to ton ter it. vhichslio did at life! 
dock is 500 feet b length its width 88 feefcy** 
bM/wrt >,r ‘? u °0 The ue 
I0 9fo ^°d lUwtttn tho Himalaya. 
opened on 
uner Croesus 
