fourth-class, i.e., between 7 and 12 tons, for a prize of the value of £30, presented by the Royal Thames Yacht Club. A prize of £50 had also been offered for yachts between 12 and 20 tons; but as no other yacht than the Vampire was entered, the match did not take place. No less than nine little clippers took up their stations for the £30 prize, viz. : The Quiver is quite new, she has a fine sharp looking twelve-tonner. bow, and is a large On the signal being given for the start, the Sea Nymph took the lead. Some of the little fleet carried enormous topsails: that of the Flying Cloud was prodigious; and the yard being too slender, it snapped in two before it was fairly set. The wind continued very light and variable as the vessels proceeded down Long-reach, oftentimes bringing them all close together. Before they reached Gravesend, a better breeze springing-up, the Flirt walked away with a good lead. Quiver, however, soon catching the breeze, ran up with her, and endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to pass her. At Sea-reach the Flirt was nearly a mile ahead; but soon after, both Flirt and Quiver were becalmed, and the Violet and Julia came up with them. An unusual and singularly pretty scene was presented by the vessels on rounding the steamer at the Chapman head, the four leading yachts passing exactly abreast, so that it was said a single shot would have gone through all four masts. A better breeze favoured the yachts immediately after rounding, and some very excellent sailing took place, the Quiver judiciously lowering her topsail which example was soon followed by some others, and the Quiver weathered all her opponents; the Flirt, however, stuck close to her, alternately gaining and losing as they proceeded up Long Reach. At the close of the match, which was remarkably well contested, considering the lightness of the wind, the Quiver was declared the winner by 55 seconds only. The next match worthy of notice took place on the Mersey, on Monday, the 30th of June, for a prize of the value of £50, offered by the Mersey Yacht Club, to be sailed for by yachts not exceeding 25 tons, a Seven competitors were entered for this race, but four only time race. made their appearance, viz. : Surprise, 20 tons Glide, 8 دو T. W. Tetley, Esq. A. Bower, Esq. G. R. Woodward, Esq. The Spray took the lead for a short time, but was shortly overtaken by the Surprise, which vessel maintained a considerable lead throughout, and eventually won the prize. The Spray, however, did her part, and was well and spiritedly sailed. The Glide gave up the contest on the first round, the Mirage arrived second, and the Spray close at her heels. The day following (July 1st) was the all-important event, the match for the Mersey Grand Challenge Cup, value £140. The terms upon which it was offered were, that it should be won twice consecutively by the same yacht; a time race, open to yachts of any club and tonnage from eight tons and upwards. This was indeed offering a wide scope to admit yachts of so small a tonnage to compete with others of unlimited size, in a time race; and we doubt if such is, under all circumstances of wind and weather, a judicious plan; but, as no question or difficulty occurred in this instance, we need not make any further remark upon it. The course was the same as usual, from Birkenhead down the Victoria Channel, leaving the black buoys on the starboard and the red on the port hand, the Bell beacon buoy on the port hand, the N.W. light-ship on the port, the Bell beacon and N.W. light-ship again on the port hand, again to the Bell beacon buoy, leaving it for the last time on the starboard hand, and then up the Channel, leaving the black buoys on the port and the red on the starboard hand to the flag vessel at Birkenhead, leaving her on the port hand, and so end. The following yachts were entered for the match : each won the Cup once, The Cynthia won it in Of these yachts the Coralie and Surprise had the Coralie in 1854 and the Surprise last year. 1853, when it was first contested for, but she did not make her appearance on the present occasion. On the gun being fired for the yachts to go to their berths, the anxiously-expected and somewhat-dreaded Mosquito was not to be seen. All the others entered took up their stations, bringing with them a beautiful breeze, and the sun shining brightly at the time, there was nothing wanting (save the Mosquito) to make the match highly exciting, On the signal being given to start, away dashed the gallant Cymba, closely followed by Coralie, Surprise being third. The four remaining yachts soon fell considerably astern, and all eyes were turned on the leading vessels, all three of which have become famous in the yachting world, from the many prizes they have won. A more spiritedlycontested match we have seldom witnessed. The highly-applauded struggles of the Coralie to weather the Surprise were exceedingly clever; but cleverer still were the efforts of the smaller one to prevent her doing so. On passing the Bell buoy for the last time, it was observed that the Coralie had succeeded in taking the second position, but it was only temporary, for the Surprise set her balloon topsail and passed her again. Throughout the whole contest the Cymba had maintained a good lead; but at the close of the match it was found that, although she arrived twelve minutes and twenty-one seconds ahead of the Surprise, the latter vessel was entitled to the Cup, having to receive seventeen minutes from the Cymba for difference of tonnage. The Coralie arrived four minutes later than the Surprise. The cup therefore became the absolute property of Mr. Tetley, he having won it two years consecutively. (To be continued.) LITERATURE. "HORATIO HOWARD BRENTON." By Captain Sir Edward Belcher, R.N., C.B. Hurst and Blackett, Great Marlborough-street. It has often been remarked, and no one can deny the truth of it, that if an intelligent man will write the incidents of his life, and publish them in the form of a novel or biography, they will furnish entertainment for the reading public. As a matter of course the value of the work will depend upon the talent of the author, who, to ensure success, ought to possess acute intelligence, keen observation, literary power, lively humour, and an easy flowing style; and in all the above requisites Sir Edward Belcher stands forth pre-eminently great. Unquestionably the nautical portion of the work has never been excelled; it bears the stamp of being the production of a naval man, and not the effusion of one of those fresh-water sailors so mercilessly ridiculed by Barham, Hook, and Lord William Lennox, in their respective legends and novels. Theodore's yacht owner, who, when asked if he would like to take the helm, replies, "He never takes anything before dinner," and Lord William's cruise of the cutter, in "Philip Courtenay," are admirable skits at these land-lubbers. To resume: "Horatio Howard Brenton" is not merely a naval novel; for the romance and biography attached to it, render it a work suited to all tastes; and no one that once takes up the volumes will resign them until he reaches those fatal words THE END. To the numerous tourists, excursionists, and travellers by sea and land, we recommend Sir Edward Belcher's novel. In a first-class railway carriage, on the deck of a yacht, in the cabin of a steamer, under a shady hedge, on the wild sea-shore, on the banks of the muddy Thames or sparkling Rhine, in the hop-grounds of Kent, or the vineclad hills of France, in an arbour in Kensington Gardens, or by the fountains of Versailles, "Horatio Howard Brenton" ought to be the companion of all who wish to devote their leisure hour to one of the most amusing and interesting productions of the season. "ORIGINAL POEMS, WITH TRANSLATIONS FROM SCANDINAVIAN AND OTHER POETS." By Sophia Milligan. Hurst and Blackett, Great Marlborough-street. These poems will take their stand by the side of those of Mrs. Hemans; for they are replete with noble passion, exquisite pathos, and fine writing; the moral tone which prevails throughout adds considerably to their merit, and we strongly recommend them to all classes of our readers, who, we venture to affirm, will reap as much enjoyment from a perusal of them as we did ourselves. The volume is very neatly got up, and would prove an acceptable present to any of the fairer sex. THE NEW MASTER OF THE QUORN. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-The commencement of a new reign at Quorn is always regarded with deep interest; not only sportsmen, but men of all classes in Leicestershire, feel an anxiety that its reputation as the first hunting country in the world should still be sustained. Pride in the fame of the hunt has become a natural feeling; everybody is, therefore, earnestly watching and enquiring what promise the new master, the Earl of Stamford, is giving of a determination that in his hands the celebrity that has so long and so justly been enjoyed by the Quorn Hunt should suffer no diminution. I have great pleasure in stating that, so far as the matériel is concerned, everything promises well. Lord Stamford's hounds are selected from the best packs in the kingdom, the flower of the Albrighton kennels, many couples of the best of the late Sir Richard Sutton's, and others from kennels of the best possible blood. Altogether his lordship will have four packs of hounds of great symmetry, strength, and speed, and a large number of unentered hounds. The hunting stud is all that could be desired; and having lately had the pleasure of going over the Quorn stables and kennels, I can testify that the condition of both horses and hounds will be first-rate by the time of the first meet at Kirby Gate. A new staff of officials succeeds. Day, who has long been huntsman at Quorn, is replaced by Boothroyd, who hunted the Donington under Mr. Story. I believe the late master's considerateness for his faithful servants has enabled the former to retire comfortably, so that “The close of Day" will be serene. Yet why talk of his close? Though he has hunted half a century he is yet in vigour, and neither tired of his vocation nor unfitted for it. Huntsmen are proverbial for their health and longevity. I lately saw Will Head, long so famous as the huntsman of the Cheshire, and subsequently a favourite with everyone as the huntsman of the Donington. He is now enjoying his otium cum dignitate at Leicester, looking as hearty as when he led that remarkable chase in Delamere Forest in 1830. It is gratifying to see an old huntsman living in honour on a well-earned competence as MR. HEAD does. It is delightful to hear him run all his great runs "o'er again." Long may he live in the enjoyment of that health which exercise and temperance have secured him, and in the esteem which he has won of all sportsmen that know him. Were I a master of hounds, I know few men that I would sooner trust with a huntsman's post, even after so many winters, than Will Head. But enough on this Head; let me return to my tale. I have observed that Lord Stamford has all the matériel for giving sport in the leading sporting country; he has further the prestige of a good sporting character from Staffordshire and Shropshire, as master of the Albrighton. His rank and his possessions in Leicestershire give him influence with the landowners and farmers; and, so far as appearances go, his prospect of a successful career is as great as that of any of his predecessors. Your pages have recorded obstacles and discouragements that the late lamented master of the Quorn had to contend against; every sportsman hopes they may not beset his successor. A word in season may do good. Let those who like game better than fox-hunting-let those who don't hunt at all-let recalcitrant landlords and farmers (if there still are such) just consider the amount of prime pleasure and solid profit conferred on Leicestershire by fox-hunting; and let this consideration induce them to preserve foxes and to offer all facilities, and I believe the fame of the Quorn will suffer no diminution in the hands of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington. Melton promises to be full. Egerton Lodge will again be enlivened by the presence of the Earl of Wilton, and graced by his family. Lowesby Hall has been taken by Lord Aberdare, and Leicester will have a large quota of fox-hunters. The Earl's head-quarters will be Bradgate House Colim Steward's Hay), Mr. Edward Warner offering all possible accommodation at Quorn; everything may therefore be said to look well. Leicestershire, Sept. 13, 1856. CHARNWOOD. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Doncaster : THE LATE MR. WORTHINGTON'S STUD. Bay mare (foaled in 1844), by Pantaloon, out of Banter (Touchstone's dam) covered by Melbourne (Mr. Goodwin).... A filly foal, by Melbourne, out of Banter (Mr. Goodwin).. Juliet (foaled in 1851), by Touchstone, out of Lancashire Witch; covered by Bay yearling colt, by Melbourne, out of Jessica... Rachetée (foaled in 1849), by Birdcatcher, dam by Pantaloon, out of Banter, &c.; covered by Melbourne (Mr. Weatherby) .... Brown yearling colt, by Goliah, out of Lancashire Witch (Mr. Stevens) Phoebe (foaled in 1851), by Touchstone, out of Collina; covered by Professor Lancashire Witch (foaled in 1842), by Tomboy, out of Kite; covered by Pro- ...... Filly foal, by Slane out of Juliet (Mr. Hewitt) Colt foal, by Slane, out of Rachetée (Mr. Williamson).. Chestnut colt foal, by Chanticleer-Collina (Mr. Whittaker) Professor Buck, 5 yr, by Melbourne, dam (foaled in 1844) by Pantaloon (Mr. ..... Volatore, br. or bk. c., by Voltigeur-Golconda (Mr. Drewitt) Cacique (foaled in 1852), by Launcelot, out of Yarico; covered by Mildew (Mr. Hutchinson) Pandemonium, b. c. foal, by Mildew-Utopia (Mr. Whittaker) |