THE FIELD. 
CONTENTS. 
Chronicle ot the Week 
Sport and Sportsmeu 
Hunting 
Coursing 
1,2.7 
1.22< 
1,2.0 
Shooting 
Cricket 
Yachting 
Field Sports and 1’nstlmes 
1 2 >1 
1,2 .1 
1.232 
Gardening iiri 
Supplement 
1,241 
rs to 
^vol«dw W ° h! "’ 0 DOt rCCeivci1 “• AVc P r ‘' su ' ,,l? » would row bo 
A <;. ghouid have sent further particulars, with nartio and address. 
Notice.— No contributions voluntarily rent to thin Journal will 
be paid for. A I', except such as are forwarded in j>< nuance 
ojan express arrangement with the present Proprietors, wdl 
be received and treated as t/r usual gratuitous coirespoiul- 
cnce of a journal, 1 
1227 
NOTICE. 
With the 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 
taiitrif ifattoiHHifs Calrniuir; 
THE 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.li . — This will be given to all who are Subscriber i 
The Field for the year 1855. 
Advertisements for “ The Sportsman's Almanack " 
should be sent to The Field Office without deluy to secure 
insertion. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
RACING. 
Whip — Emma Jemima, by Lmiercost, carried list 21b. 
P. P — Alfred Day’s lowest riding weight last year was 7st 121b. 
Sissy: — No. 
Catlericfi Bridge.— 1. Won by half a length.— 2. Deaton off 1 .— 3. The 
horse started at 2 to 1. 
N. A" —The services of any riders under articles must bo obtained through 
their masters. 
SI L. — A. is right— the race was established in 1770, though not named 
untU two years afterwards. 
Pair Play. — If as you say, your opponent jostled you, lus horse is 
distanced. 
Scute . — A bet is rendered void by the death of either parly before the 
match on which the bet is made comes otT. 
HUNTING. 
Harkaway. — Yes. Hares about this period lose their sluggishness, and 
run, perhaps, better than at any other season. 
Horn. — The scent is wanner when the weather is mild. 
ltorer . — The dogs ought not to be whipped to cover. 
Si in . — The barrier is, properly speaking, a combination of breeds best 
suited to the country to be hunted. 
Jtiipar . — If the hounds are thorougli-hred, they will seldom stop if the 
horses arc close on them. 
Whipper-in, — The hound offending should certainly be chastised. 
COURSING. 
Sylph. — Yes ; nothing better than exercise. 
Stoke . — lleaten cleverly. 
K. K . — Dress each day with a tolerably hard brush. A little oil may bo 
used. 
SHOOTING. 
William. — You had better hide yourself behind a thick bush, and then 
you may be able to shoot plenty of fieldfares. You do not require so 
much powder as you do when shooting crows or wood-pigeons. Use 
No. 9 shot, and ifo not overcharge your gun. It is a great mistake to 
use a heavy charge <«f shot. The more you use, the weaker its effect. 
ltaintod.- We think it unsportmanlike to send three ounces of shot oiler 
a pigeon from a trap. A field-sportsman would be ashamed to shoot 
with a gun exceeding three-quarters bore. It is no proof of skill for 
any one to stand with an immensely large-bored pun up to the shoulder 
before the bird is set at liberty, the most sporting-like way of shoot- 
ing birds from a trap is to shoot with a gun not exceeding eleveu-guage 
— to pull the string of the trap yourself— and to keep the stock of the 
gun down below the hip until the bird takes wing. 
Crouse Shooter —Try the effect of a perforated bullet. 
Snipe . — Take a well-seasoned dog with you. 
J. J — Fire well forward. 
Cup — The birds are invariably shy. 
Wthl-htnj . — Practice is better than precept. Fire well before the birds, 
and profit by experience. 
CRICKET. 
-V. (SheJJiehl.)- No. Not out. 
II . .S’.— The "Oval” ground, at Kcnnington, is now In the possession of 
the “ Surrey Club," to whose committee a lease of the premises has 
been granted, on behalf of the club. 
A B. (Surrey.)— Yes. The “Oval ” I- •■o.isider.ihly larger than " Lords." 
C. II. (Gloucester.) —Obtain a cop; of the Rules and Laws of Cricket 
from Mr. Robert Dark, tennis rourt, Lord'-- ■•oiind, Murylebono, and 
the two questions you submit for our - p vou will find answered. 
Strange it is that you have not, mug on • sessol yourself of 
these tilings. They ore as requisite for a ■ -mig cricketer’' as his 
bat and spiked shoes. Dupre* this upon your colic ica. 
Albion.— Yes; the decision w. is correct. 
J.C. (lliingerlortl.)— You will find the matches you allude to mentioned 
In "Our Glances of the Season 1851,” as well as all the leading matches 
of the year. They must, however, be taken in their order. 
N. young. — About the year 1817, ive think; but we will refer to our 
“ merns ” of that period. 
T. B. ( llirminglnnn.) — The best picture of the "Kent mid Sussex 
match played at Brighton, containing the portraits of a large number 
of cricketers and the patrons of the game, was got up and published 
by Mason, of the King s-road, Brighton. 
YACHTING. 
An Old Subscriber. — Illustrations will be introduced into The Field 
whenever there is something that requires illustration. But mere 
pictures will not be given. 
Pair Play.— Certainly they may anchor during a match u they require, 
provided they afterwards weigh it. 
U. It.— In going free, you ought to have given way to those on a wind. 
We are afraid you are rather obstinate, for surely (here were many 
present who could have answered so simple a question. 
C. C . — Space permitting, we shall give an article on the subject next 
week 
Green irich . — We often meet men who insist upon their yachts sailing 
fiistor oil their beam cuds than on an even keel . but surely, if you gave 
oue minutes' thought to the subject, you need not ask our opinion, 
X. i —Apply to Mr. Gregory, Secretary of the Royal London Yacht 
Club You will also find a list or yachts for sale attached to the report 
of the Royal Thames Yacht Club in our columns of to-day. 
AW.— Over 25 tons. . . . 
J. S . — We cannot interfere in private quarrels, or give any opinion. 
L. W. ( Plymouth.) — Freemasons' Tavern. 
Petrel, — You were misinformed; she did not start at all. 
ANGLING. 
IK— A. fresh-run fish may be known by its corpulency, the shallow forking 
of t ho tail, and the whiteness and softness of its fins. 
A I umifi Angler .— When salmon are tired of their sen-food ami become 
fat, they leave the salt water for the estuaries and rivers. 
POULTRY. 
Bunlnm. — Yes. We shall be glad of the information. 
.V, — Hens seldom lay at this season of the year. 
Jnqiiircr. — See onr article on l'owl-houses in the last number of Ihb 
Field. 
N. J'.— The bird, though peculiar, is by no means uncommon. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
A Subscriber from the First — Wo believe hot. To attempt to obtain 
■ueh assistance would, we should say, merely result iu a cold, Ollieial 
answer. 
fc. If. C’—tos. 
NOTICE. 
Tne Field Office is removed to Essex House, Nos. 2, 
8, 4, aud 5, Essox-street, Strand j where all communications , 
orders, and advertisements, arc requested to be euldressed to 
the Editor. 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, is. 31 . 
CHRONICLE <>]’ T1IF WFFR. 
TPHE termination of the extraordinary session of 
_ Parliament, and the consequent suspension of 
political excitement at home, throw us back upon the 
slow progress (if progress it may be called) of the 
military operations in the Crimea. The last authentic 
news received from thence has been anything but in- 
spiriting in its character; and the public is beginning 
to distrust the croakings of those “ dilettante ci- 
vilians/’ upon whose assumption of military know- 
ledge Lord John Russell so severely animadverted. 
During the past week, the efforts of that ministerial 
journal which claims to have the best information 
upon all matters relating to the war, have been di- 
rected to the task of transferring the blame of mis- 
management from the shoulders of the Ministers at 
home, to the Generals of our array in the Crimea. 
The tenor of the correspondence has certainly indi- 
cated that tendency ; and, yesterday, the nation was 
reminded, in the authoritative tone of a leading 
article, that it was “a troublesome reflection” in con- 
nexion with the war, “that the war is managed by men 
whose experience is not that of the present age, but 
that of the past.” There can be no doubt that the 
erratic and alarmist temperament of this journal has 
been productive of the greatest disturbance to the 
commercial interests of the country, aud has had the 
dangerous effect of unduly depressing and unreason- 
ably exciting the feelings of the country with respect 
to the war. The very difficult task of defending an 
incompetent ministry may seem to explain many in- 
consistencies ; but it must destroy the confidence of 
the nation in an authority which professes to be in- 
dej eadent, and to be swayed by no other bias than 
that which inclines towards the popular welfare. It 
affords some satisfaction to notice, that in such 
a mass of contradictions some cannot fail to tell 
against the spirit which seeks to calumniate the great 
and good ; and in the very same columns which in- 
sinuate incompetency and indifference to the suffer- 
ings of her soldiers, against Lord Raglan, we find a 
hearty and honest testimony, voluntarily rendered by 
a distinguished officer now serving under him, that 
the army has “a kind, generous, and considerate 
chief.” We have been informed that the conduct of 
this journal, with respect to the war, has latterly ex- 
cited the deepest disgust in the minds of a large and 
influential party in the City ; and that, at a meeting 
of the City Club, held during the past week, it was 
unanimously resolved that all articles and statements 
appearing in its columns are henceforth to be received 
with the greatest suspicion. During the last few days 
a report has gained currency that the correspondent 
of that journal has been ordered out of the camp by 
the Commander-in-Chief ; and, if that be true, we ap- 
prehend that few will be disinclined to support Lord 
Raglan. We must confess, however, that we do not 
believe the report. 
As for the actual news from Sebastopol, it marks 
very little progress, if any. The hard lrosts had 
enabled the men to advance the siege works, and to get 
up some more heavy guns from Ralaklava. W inter 
clothing and reinforcements were arriving, and the 
preparations for the wiuter camp were proceed- 
ing, if not satisfactorily, at least hopefully. A 
large body of the Russian forces, encamped in 
the valley of the Tchernaya, had retired into 
the interior, leaving a sufficient strength to hold the 
position. The causes of this movement were sup- 
posed to be want of provisions and inability to resist 
the atmosphere of the marshes. The Russians were 
being decimated by sickness, but the ranks of the 
allies were not spared ; for, according to the latest 
returns, we have 3,000 invalided at Balaklava, and 
4,000 at Scutari. The Russians have also finally 
abandoned the redoubts near Ralaklava, captured 
from the Turks. Turkish reinforcements were ar- 
riving very fast, but the mortality in their ranks 
was enortaous. It was believed that the destination 
of these last was to be Perekop, and many arguments 
point to the desirability of holding this gate of the 
Crimea against all in-comers and out -goers. The 
quotation of bets among the officers was 10 to 1 
against entering Sebastopol before New Year’s Day ; 
from which it would appear that Titters all's has 
emigrated to the Crimea. As the Stock Exchange 
is going — represented by Peto and his “ navvies" — 
why not “The Corner ?” 
As a fit pendant to her Majesty's speech at the 
opening of Parliament, we now’ have that of Napo- 
leon III. at the opening of the Legislative Session. 
As with our Queen’s speech, some passages have given 
the most unbounded satisfaction, ana others have 
caused disquietude. Perhaps this must have booh 
the inevitable effect of speaking about the war at 
the present crisis, when it is known beforehand that 
every word will bo weighed. But whatever doubts 
may bo excited by the estimate of the Austrian al- 
liance, there can be none about this hearty apprecia- 
tion of the glorious alliance now so thoroughly 
cemented “ between England and fair France.” 
“ A\ hat tics,” asks the Emperor, “ can bo more bind- 
ing than the names of the victories belonging to the 
two armies, and recalling a glory in common — when 
the san o uneasiness aud the same hope agitate the 
two countries, and when the same intentions animate 
the two Governments upon every point of the globe I 
Thus the alliance with England is not the effect, of a 
fleeting interest, or a policy of circumstances ; it is 
the union of two powerful nations, associated to- 
gether to obtain the triumph of a cause in which, for 
more than a century, were involved their greatness, 
the interests of civilisation, and, at the same time, 
the liberty of Europe.” The Czar, who counted so 
confidently upon the traditional enmity between the 
two Powers, will sec how baseless wero his calcula- 
tions, and how absurd his hopes (if he have any), 
when he reads these words. 
The diplomatists arc vefy busy, as their manner 
is, in the dark. Conferences “ of a positive character,” 
(whatever that may be) are said to have been held 
at Vienna, whereat M. Gortsebnkoff and Prince 
Annin were present. Prussia has sent over an 
envoy in the person of M. Von Ustjdom ; but the 
object of his mission has not vet leaked out. Tito 
Times eagerly suspects that the object of tho gen- 
tleman’s visit is merely to deliver an autograph letter 
do the Queen, and to keep his eyes open, with a view 
of ascertaining which way the wind blows. It is 
impossible to hear of these secret conferences and 
back-stairs missions without great suspicion. 
Sir Charles Napier is once more iu England ; and 
although the nation has not received him with enthu- 
siastic public demonstration, lie has been the honoured 
guest of the Queen, at Windsor. This may be fairly 
construed into a confession that the Court, at least, 
is satisfied with his conduct in tho Baltic. By 
a curious coincidence, Sir James Graham was a fellow 
guest with Sir Charles at tho table of royalty. Let 
us hope that the two convives reflected humbly upon 
the last dinner-party they attended together ; and 
that one of them, at least, was moro modcrato in tho 
use of the decanter. 
The Conservative party has had two triumphs this 
week— at Ayr and at Norwich. Sir James Fergusson 
was returned for the former, against Mr. Oswald, 
Liberal, by a majority of 1^9 ; and Sir S. Bignold 
carried the latter by a majority of 1270. Sir James 
Fergusson is now servingwith his regiment, the Guards, 
in the Crimea. The seat for Sunderland has been 
vacated by the appointment of Mr. l)igby Seymour 
to the Reeordership of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and it 
is reported that Sir Charles Napier is in tho field. If, 
however, it was true that Government could not permit 
him to stand for Marylebone, this must be a false 
report. 
The commercial world lias been scandalised by the 
discovery of enormous frauds, perpetrated in the dark 
recesses of the London Dock Company. Hogsheads 
of sour wine, worth five shillings a piece, have, by 
some unexplained chemistry, become converted into 
first-rate wine, worth £38 and upwards. The coopers 
employed in the vaults arc suspected of connivance 
with the purchasers of rubbish at the rummage sales. 
It appears that it has hitherto been the practice to 
stow tho sour wine in the same vaults as tho sound 
liquor ; and the machinery of the fraud lias been 
plausibly explained in a circular issued by Messrs, 
llidley A Co. 
“The East vault occupies an area of about \\ acres, cou- 
tniuing 21,000 pipes, chiefly port ; aud it is a proverbial com- 
plaint that a greater 1»8* i< shown on ro^utge, when wine* 
are delivered thence, than from any other ; and whilst the 
company know* this to bo a stubborn fact, it is surprising 
that more watchfulness has not been observed over the 
coopers. Suppose that some evil-disposed ponofl iw d<»d to 
fill 50 pipes from merchants property: tho Stock of -1.000, 
on an average, need only he pillaged to tho extent ot about 
a quart each. Again: suppose, what .3 more likely in the 
frauds alluded to, that four gallons are token from eaeh pipe 
of fresh housed wine, and four gallons of the ratted rubbuli 
substituted, a less quantity need only be plundcied. homo 
such plan may be easily accomplished iu so large an area. 
Alter business hours (four o'clock), when the dingy oil lamps 
