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the holes, or take a sly walk along a dresser and walk off with a small loaf or mutton-chop, get into flour barrels or Indian corn; the last they are arrant thieves of. But these "villians" are something like the niggers—all friendly or ferocious foes. To elucidate this: At the present moment we have two great brigades of rats in my dwelling. They lived on pretty friendly terms for some time (this I judge from only hearing them parade quietly over the tops of the rooms, and their squeaking was of a placid character). But discord has arisen ; and it would appear, owing to some of one party walking off rather unceremoniously with one of my patent polished shoes, and keeping possession of it.

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ENGRAVED BY J. WESTLEY, FROM A PAINTING BY G. ARMFIELD.

The march of civilization, or cultivation, threatens to play a very strong hand against some of old Britain's sports and pastimes. Breaking up grass lands; reclaiming waste lands; and the general rage for railways and enclosures, will alter the character of some of our diversions a-field before long. In the mean time, then, it becomes us to pickle and preserve specimens of such as we can still put our hands on intact and unaltered.

Foremost amongst these stands the Red Deer-an animal whose pursuit in this kingdom has ever been attended with something of the grand and majestic. Stalk up to him in Atholl, or turn him out on Maidenhead thicket-the sport he affords has still ever an imposing look with it. Whether achieved amongst the wildest and most noble scenery of our island, and with the greatest skill and energy the sportsman can boast of; or, taken and retaken on the most artificial system our mighty hunters have stooped to-the red deer must yet hold high rank as "royal game."

From a variety of causes the red deer are said to be every day becoming scarcer, even in the highlands of Scotland-a territory that should be their own, and where on many domains every effort is still made to preserve them. On this side of the Border, our surest finds would be in the paddocks of Her Majesty at Ascot, or of Baron Rothschild at Tring-though one quarter certainly yet offers them a home more in accordance with their wild free taste, as more appropriate, perhaps, in the character of its scenery and disposition to the true staghunt. Many writers in this work, from the time of Nimrod and his Tours downwards, have celebrated the Forest of Exmoor, its red deer, and its glorious runs. Almost all, however, with the plaudite et valete; as too well-grounded fears are expressed that before many years this pristine and most attractive sport will die away for want of game. It is but fair, though, to give here a fact in direct contradiction to the cultivation versus rural-recreation argument with which we commenced this notice. Of all the landowners on the Exinoor, the Knight family are now, we believe, making themselves most justly famed for the immense

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improvements they are effecting in the agriculture of this part of Devonshire. To properly attain this, they have engaged as resident agent one of the best practical farmers in England-Mr. Robert Smith, late of Burley, in Rutlandshire, a gentleman as celebrated for his breed of Leicesters as for his many prize essays to the Royal Agricultural Society of England. In a conversation we lately had with him, we heard with much pleasure, that on the whole of this extensive estate the deer are still most strictly preserved, and every recompense made by the landlord to the tenant for any damage done by them. We are rather inclined to think, indeed, that the sport of Exmoor mainly depends on this liberal and sportsmanlike feeling, and so hope to find, for many a long day to come, that the breed of prize turnips and of famous deer in no way disagree one with the other.

The Exmoor country has this year been hunted by Captain West, the new master of the Bath staghounds- -a very capital sportsman, as well as a most determined man over a country on almost any sort of horse. As the gallant captain, moreover, has a bit of a turn for fancy farming, and as Mr. Smith can enjoy and keep his place in a run, we trust between them that the hunting of the red deer, and the improvement in husbandry, may work on well together.

LITERATURE.

ABD-EL-KADER; a Poem by Viscount Maidstone. Chapman and Hall. Garrick was censorious enough to write "that a little talent with a Lord went a great way." Had he lived to the present day that opinion might have undergone some alteration; he would have read the passionate strains of a Byron, the elegant lines of a Carlisle, the classical stanzas of a Strangford, the correct taste of a Beaumont, and last, not least, the spirited and soul-stirring effusions of a Maidstone. The poem under notice is dedicated to the late lamented Lord George Bentinck; and the dedication, to adopt a common phrase, reflects the greatest credit upon the head and heart of the author. It depicts the character of the deceased statesman in its truest light it dwells upon the moral courage, the unflinching energy of purpose, the love of truth, the profound veneration for virtue, the contempt for vice, the disinterested patriotism, the noble bearing of the departed political luminary, whose brilliant career was alas! too evanescent. Of the poem itself we cannot speak in too high terms; it is replete with the finest aspirations, it teems with beauties, and abounds with the most impassioned thoughts. The description of Abd-el-Kader reminds the reader of Byron's best writings; it brings the eastern warrior before him in all that simplicity of manner which characterized the now exiled hero. Much interest has been added to the poem by the introduction of two imaginary characters, who form a most touching love episode. The death of the young soldier, the grief of his affianced bride, would alone have stamped Lord Maidstone as a poet of the highest order; while the sympathy shown to the fallen chief will be responded to by every one who can duly appreciate valour and heroism. As a faithful historical

record, as a highly finished poetical work, we strongly recommend Abdel-Kader to our readers: it will furnish a most intellectual gratification to those who wish to have a thorough insight into the chivalrous warfare of the east, it will delight others who love to revel in fiction, and all will bear testimony to the transcendent ability of the author, whose excellence of plot, purity of language, elegance of style, intenseness of passion, vigorous force of expression, and melody of versification, entitle him to the first rank among poets of the present century.

FINE ARTS.

FORES'S RACING SCENES.

"THE FLYING DUTCHMAN AND VOLTIGEUR RUNNING THE GREAT MATCH AT YORK, on the 13th of May, 1851, for 1000 sovs. a side. Painted by J. F. Herring, Sen., and engraved by J. Harris.— The Earl of Eglinton's The Flying Dutchman, 5 years old, carrying Est. 8 lbs., ridden by Charles Marlow, beat the Earl of Zetland's Voltigeur, 4 years old, carrying 8st., and ridden by Elnathan Flatman, distance two miles, over Knavesmire, York, on Tuesday, the 13th of May, '51, even betting, " by a short length."...... This was an event which, in the annals of the turf, "is of itself its own parallel." Both horses engaged in it had, in their respective years, won the Derby and the St. Leger. They had also met in the Doncaster Cup of 1850, which came off a match between them, The Flying Dutchman carrying 8st. 12lbs., Voltigeur 7st. 7lbs. ; 4 to 1 on The Dutchman, who was beaten "by a length." The scientific weighting at York, or, it may be, a more judicious development of their merits, turned the tables, and the Dutchman triumphed over his former vanquisher. This latter issue is the subject of the splendid plate to which our notice relates. Apart from its lifelike characteristics and high artistic excellence, as a specimen of the sporting Fine Arts it has accomplished that which, so far as our experience extends, had not before been effected in a coloured engraving. The likenesses of the jockeys possess all the distinguishing properties of first class miniatures. The resemblances are perfect, and the finish of the whole is a surprising instance of the excellence to which the art that produced it has attained.

STUDIES OF FRESH WATER FISH. BY LEONIDAS ROLFE.

Shooter's Court, Throgmorton-street.

In our different notices of the annual exhibitions, we have often had occasion to speak in terms of the highest approval of Mr. Rolfe and his studies. Luckily, he has not only found out his strong point, but has had good sense enough to stick to it. He is essentially the fishpainter of the day; and from no hand could such a series as the one before us be more becomingly offered. We have the whole haul spread out before us, from gudgeon to pike, and chub to trout, well grouped, and with the characteristics of each variety admirably preserved. It is difficult, and almost invidious, to select where all are really so good;" but the pike and perch, perhaps from their own intrinsic merits in shape

and colour, are amongst the most successful; though we have little doubt but that each separate plate will have its class of admirers; while the set, from the fidelity and taste with which they have been reproduced, should ensure a good return, as they must a good name for their author. There was plenty of room for such a series, and Mr. Rolfe has very worthily filled up the hiatus.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

The equestrians are prolonging their engagement at DRURY LANE for the obvious reason vires acquirit eundo. Increase of attendance has been produced by increase of attraction, a fitting reward for the indefatigable efforts of the managers. One of the principal directors, Mr. M'Collum, in addition to the active part he takes in the management, appears nightly in the arena, where he exhibits his powers of horsemanship amidst wonder and satisfaction. Some of his feats on the backs of a couple of steeds are most marvellous; particularly bold and daring are the flights he makes through the hoops whilst his horses are going the pace; then his summersets in quick succession must be looked upon with no inconsiderable emotion and surprise. But talk of wonders, the evolutions of a brace of Frenchmen, called "The Italian Brothers," surpass anything hitherto attempted by the most athletic. How they in less than a brace of shakes jump up a rope about parallel with the chandelier; how they walk on each other's heads, and pop under one another's arms whilst on an acclivity that would almost rival Mont Blanc; how they elastically hang in the air; and how they descend in caoutchouc and volant form with the most perfect ease, dexterity, and flexibility may be written about, it is true; but the inconceivable manner in which all these superhuman movements are made cannot be treated caligraphically. In this instance the spectator feels inclined to put little faith in the old proverb "seeing is believing," for everything that he has ever supposed to be impossible is ocularly demonstrated by these "Italian Brothers." These extraordinary performances are diversified by the elegant equestrianism of Madame Caroline; the daring deeds of young Baptiste Loisset, whose nerve is never shaken; and the remarkable doings of Mr. Eaton Stone on his barebacked steed; together with several contributions from riders, equilibrists, jugglers, contortionists, and auxiliaries of every nation, nature, kind, and form, which serve to render an excellent and economic evening's entertainment for "exhibitioners" and others.

Of this sight-seeing class are the audiences of the LYCEUM, where, indeed, they have flocked in strong numbers for some time past. So attractive has the entertainment proved that it has not been deemed politic to change the programme, which has comprised "The Court Beauties," "Only a Clod," and "King Charming," for a period almost as long as a bill of charges of a ravenous practitioner in the Lord Mayor's Court.

The "Bloomer costume has been taken advantage of at the STRAND, where it forms the subject of a farce of not very great pretensions, it is true, but it serves the double purpose of extracting a laugh-which in

itself is no common feat in these utilitarian times-and of bringing forward a Mr. Rogers, an actor, from the touch of his quality here given, that will, with perseverance, take a prominent position on the stage at no very remote period.

There is not the same opportunity of shaking one's sides at the other theatre in the Strand, as since Mr. Wright's absence the ADELPHI, instead of being the scene of boisterous mirth and noisy applause, has become the house of respectable silence and lamentable apathy. Something called a novelty has been produced, but as it proved as wild and unintelligible as Mr. Warren's new Blue Book, it is reasonable to suppose the less said about it the better for the management.

To leave the Strand for Kensington is an accomplishment easily performed, and just now it can be cheerfully undertaken, by a visit to the HIPPODROME, which in a few days will be closed. In addition to the Ostrich races, the monkey jocks, the steeds of Barbary, steeple chasers, and the chariot of the sun, there is added to the engagements "the Flying Horse," and to witness the extraordinary flights he takes is one of the most amusing parts of the entertainment-he is a most remarkable courser, and would unquestionably have furnished ample work for Phaeton in his proper guidance.

The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is the resort of all interested in matters of science, and instructive and amusing subjects, which are lectured upon by professors of known and tried ability.

Some important additions have been lately made to the PANORAMA Of THE NILE, which is now exhibited at the rooms of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours in Pall Mall; this, and the panorama of the HOLY LAND, at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, are two of the most interesting exhibitions of the day, possessing high artistic merits.

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

SALE OF BLOOD STOCK AT DONCASTER.

Break-o'-Day Boy (own brother to Peep-o'-Day), a yearling colt by Harkaway

Bay Filly by Verulam out of Morsel..

GS.

400

250

Valour, by Irish Bir lcatcher out of Victress

210

A Chesnut Yearling Colt, by Barrier-Medea (dam of Windischgratz)
Tell-tale, bk. or br. yearling filly, by The Libel out of Testatrix, by Touch-
stone, &c.

200

200

Desdemona, by Iago out of Little Bird.......

185

Yearling Colt, by Lanercost out of Moonbeam

150

Cassio, by Iago out of Flemish Girl

Brown Filly by Charles XII. out of Jennala...

Victory, by Assault, damn by Lanercost, out of The Nun

and covered by Chanticleer.....

Christobel, by Charles XII. out of Lisbeth ....

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Myrrha (the dam of Ellen Middleton), by Malek; with a colt foal by Melbourne, and covered by Slane

Pensioner, a brown yearling colt, by Lanercost, dam by Bay Middleton out of Apollonia, &c.

Egeria, by Emilius out of Mangel-wurzel, with a colt foal by Hetman Platoff,

Sister to Grosvenor, a yearling filly by Touchstone-Miss Beverley

Sweetness, by Sweetmeat out of sister to Coheiress

Brown Filly by Sweetmeat out of Camphine's dam

.....

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