LITERATURE.

THE POCKET AND THE STUD; or, Practical Hints on the Management of the Stable. By Harry Hieover. London: Longman and Co., Paternoster-row. The subject-matter of the volume before us appeared from time to time in these pages, and met with a reception that induced the author to give the papers in a collected form. The result is a small book, with great information. In a well-indited preface the author describes his qualifications for imparting advice on the management of the stable not to arise from any fancied superiority or particular perspicuity of intellect, but from practical experience. And a good school too, this experience. If it were not for it, in this particular instance there can be no question the many interested in the matter thus ably treated would have been severe losers. There can be no possible doubt that the purchaser of this convenient-sized volume-that is, supposing him to be the master of a stud-will effect considerable saving in following the advice so admirably given by the author. No one is in a condition to out-rival him in this particular; for indeed it would be an accomplishment of no little difficulty to find any writer more au fait on the theme of horse-dealing in all its varieties than Harry Hieover.

"The Pocket and the Stud" has all the advantages of appearing before the public in excellent form. Seldom have we witnessed so agreeable a turn-out. May it run through several editions, no matter how swiftly; for in this instance it will not be "the pace that kills!"

DOG BREAKING; by Lieut. Col. W. N. Hutchinson, 20th Regiment. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1848. The author, in his preface-which characteristically forms the conclusion of his little volume-tells the reader that it was written because last season he had occasion to observe the vile way in which the education of certain dogs was managed by a professor of the art of breaking. Thus out of evil comes good; for the system the gallant officer details is at once the most simple and satisfactory in the world. He first gives you the recipe, and then instructs you wherefore it must be a specific. It is complete in all that interests the lover of legitimate shooting-so far as regards the kennel department. As his precepts and examples amount to 229, it will be seen he has not begrudged time or care. Every line in them is replete with good matter: any man with a taste for the trigger will get them all by heart. As most seasonable, we select the following bit. It is written in the spirit of common-sense logic, which distinguishes every sentiment and principle of the book.

"Though you may not wish your young pointer (or setter) to retrieve, still you would do well to teach him, whilst he is a puppy, to fetch and deliver into your hand anything soft you may occasionally throw for him, or leave behind you in some place where he will have observed you deposit it, while he is following at your heels. If you practice him in this, you will probably find him, years hence, occasionally bringing you some dead bird he may come across, and which you otherwise might have imagined you had missed; for

its scent might be too cold, and consequently too changed for the dog to have thought of regularly pointing it.

"Though I was quite a boy at the time, I recollect seeing such an instance in Kent. As a great treat, I was permitted (but merely as a spectator) to accompany a first-rate shot, Mr. Ch, who was trying a gun he designed purchasing for his keeper. The dogs soon came upon a covey. He killed with his first barrel, but apparently missed with his second. He found fault with the gun for not shooting strongly; and I well remember impertinently fancying (for I dared not say so) that perhaps he was as much to blame as the gun. Soon afterwards, to our mutual surprise, we saw one of the dogs trotting up, with a bird still warm in its mouth; thus tacitly reproving me for not having done justice to Mr. C.'s unerring eye and steady hand.

"Mark my having said, deliver into your hand,' that your young dog may not be satisfied with only dropping any bird he may pick up within your sight; and so, perhaps, leave it on the other side of a trout stream, as I have seen dogs do more than once, in spite of every persuasion and entreaty. "Sometimes a dog's sagacity will induce him, however untaught, to assist you in your hour of need; but you must not trust to it. An intimate friend of mine, sporting in Ireland, and shooting to a pointer-bitch that was totally unaccustomed to fetch and carry, but well instructed to seek for a dead bird, killed a snipe. It fell in soft, boggy ground, where he could not get at it and pick it up. After some vain efforts to approach it, he hied on the bitch, who was still steadily pointing the dead bird, with, Fetch it, Fan; fetch it.' The bitch seemed for a moment puzzled at such an unusual proceeding, and looked round inquisitively once or twice, as if to say, 'What can you mean?' Suddenly, my friend's dilemma seemed to flash upon her. She walked on, took the bird in her mouth quite gently, and carried it to where the ground was firm; but not one inch further would she bring it, despite all the encouragement of her master, who now wished to make her constantly retrieve. This was the first and last bird she ever lifted.

"I observed it was something soft which you should teach your dog to fetch and carry. Probably you have seen a retriever taught to seek and bring a stone, upon which, in a delicate manner, the tutor has spit. Does it not stand to reason that this must have tended to give his pupil a hard mouth? "Some teachers make a young dog fetch a round pin-cushion in which some needles are stuck; nor is it a bad plan, and there need be no cruelty in it, if you manage it judiciously.

"When your dog has picked up what you desired, endeavour to make him run to you quickly. Many who teach a dog to fetch and carry, praise and encourage him while he is bringing what he was sent after. Clearly that is an error. It induces the dog to loiter and play with it. He thinks he is lauded for having it in his mouth and carrying it about. Reserve your encomiums and caresses until he has delivered it into your hands.

"As I before observed, you can practise many of these lessons in your country walks. Do not take him out unnecessarily in bad weather. On no account let him amuse himself by scraping acquaintance with any idle cur he meets on the way, nor permit him to gambol about the lanes. Let him understand by your manner that there is business in hand. Never let him enter a field before you. Keep him close to your heels, until you give him the order to be off. You will find him disposed to presume and encroach, according to the old adage, 'Give him an inch and he will take an ell.' While he is at your heels he will be endeavouring to lead rather than to follow ; and, if he fancies himself unobserved, will most perseveringly steal inch upon inch in advance. Be ever on the watch, ready to check the beginning of every act of disobedience. Implicit obedience in trifles will insure it in things of more importance."

FINE ARTS.

FORES'S STEEPLE CHASE SCENES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SPORT.A series of six plates, drawn by H. Alken, senr.; engraved by J. Harris. London: Fores's Sporting Repository, Piccadilly.

To keep pace with the spirited exertions of such enterprising publishers as the Messrs. Fores, it positively involves the necessity of having the editorial pen continually steeped in ink. No sooner have we attempted to do justice to some excellent specimen of sporting engraving emanating from the repository of the Messrs. Fores, than our critical functions are again required to be exercised.

"Another and another still succeeds."

From the great care and attention bestowed upon the various productions of these active publishers, no wonder can be felt that continued success should attend their many works of art.

The present series of Steeple Chase Scenes consists of half a dozen coloured engravings from Mr. Alken's drawings; viz., The Starting Field; Wattle Fence, with a Deep Drop; In and Out of the Lane; The Warren Wall; The Brook; and The Run In.

A better batch, we have no hesitation in declaring, was never picked from publisher's porte-feuille. The artist has hit off the bit of blood taking the fence, in the second plate, to a nicety. You've no scruples about the cattle and riders having the right stuff in them. Animated by the scene, you feel, with Knowles's Constance

"Then the leap!

To see the saucy barrier, and know

The mettle that can clear it!"

The whole set must be mentioned as remarkable for displaying prominent and pleasing characteristics of artistic skill and excellence, that undeniably denotes the consummate ability, and varied talents of both painter and engraver.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

"But come, so well refresh'd, now let us play."

PARADISE LOST.

The fine weather of the past month has caused people to eschew theatres for rural sights. In general, September is a sorry month for metropolitan managers; in this year of grace it has not abated its particular dulness; consequently there is slight duty for the chronicler-not so with the speculator. Albeit there is little to record, there is much to anticipate. Already are announcements made of the opening of

houses for the winter season. Managers are well aware that those London birds that annually migrate for a time, find their way back to town in the month of October. Thus the gentle public is enticed once again within the walls of places of public amusement, the directors of which, in the words of our poet, urge—

"Come, so well refresh'd, now let us play."

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE in another week will bring the present season to a close. "Mazeppa" and "Lady Godiva" have been played nightly since our last publication. The admirers of horsemanship exhibit their taste by mustering in good numbers at this favourite transpontine house of entertainment.

THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is attracting crowds all agog for the mighty wonders displayed at this gallery of science and amusement. The lectures, the dissolving views, and the many novelties provided by the indefatigable directors, are never-failing sources of attraction.

VAUXHALL GARDENS have brought a season unexampled for its failure to a close. Even the reduction of prices has not had the talismanic effect of bringing back one tithe of the enormous outlay made upon the, what is termed, "royal property." Yet in spite of the entire want of success attendant upon the opening of the gardens in the summer, there are actually people weak, foolish, and brainless enough to talk of covering the walks in, and making—or endeavouring to make, we should say this spot a rendezvous for the winter. Why, the idea is perfectly preposterous. In the model exhibited there is a space allotted for horsemanship. Now if the scenes lately exhibited in the Rotunda be taken as a specimen of that intended to be given, should the contemplated season be entered upon, why then heaven preserve us from witnessing such dreadfully slow and horribly inane specimens of equestrian weakness. No, no; it would never do to entertain the project for a moment. If Vauxhall be thinly attended in summer, it stands to reason that it would be utterly deserted in winter. People would shiver at the picture of returning to "home, sweet home," from a visit to Vauxhall, in the midst of an unmistakeable snow storm. Our very ink freezes at the mention of those ominous words, Vauxhall in Winter!

The twain Casinos are as brisk as brisk can be, which is a point too difficult for us to solve. The votaries of the celarius, the polka, the waltz, and the Parisian quadrille, assemble in strong numbers nightly at the ADELAIDE GALLERY and the WALHALLA SALLE DE VALENTINO. The last mentioned Salon is decorated in most pleasant fashion; so light, so elegant, and so summery withal. There is an amount of taste in the several appointments that seldom if ever greets the eye: the effect produced by excellent design and artistic skill is here strikingly apparent. The LYCEUM, under the able management of Madame Vestris, commences the winter season the day after our publication. The old favourites will appear, together with accession of talent.

The HAYMARKET season will begin on the eleventh instant with a strong company, including Mr. and Mrs. Kean, and James Wallack, who fills the office of stage manager.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

DEATH OF THE NORTHERN JOCKEY, WILLIAM SCOTT.-This celebrated artiste on the saddle died at Highfield House, on Tuesday, the 26th inst., in the fifty-first year of his age. He commenced his career as a jockey under the surveillance of the late James Croft, at Middleham, in Yorkshire, early in life. He rode the winners of nine St. Legers, four Derbys, and three Oaks races. We have not space or time to enter more fully into his biography, which we purpose giving at length in the pages of our next number. Poor Bill, with all his excentricities, was a kind friend and good to the poor.

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INTERESTING REMINISCENCE OF THE CELEBRATED FOXHOUND BLUECAP. We have this week been favoured with an inspection of a wellfinished engraving, just executed by Mr. Romney, artist, of Chester, in which are faithfully represented the likenesses of Bluecap and Wanton, two celebrated foxhounds, bred by the Hon. J. S. Barry, Esq., of Marbury, Cheshire. The contest, it will be remembered, was for £500, between the two hounds just named, and two (Richmond and a bitch) belonging to Hugo Meynell, Esq. We copy the following from "Daniel's Rural Sports," which graphically illustrates the particulars of this match:-"The speed of the foxhound was well ascertained by the trial at Newmarket, betwixt Mr. Meynell and the Hon. John Smith Barry; and this account of the training and feeding the two victorious hounds is from the person who had the management of them. Will Crane was applied to after the match was made (which was for £500 a-side) to train Mr. Barry's hounds, of which Bluecap was four and Wanton three years old. Crane objected to their being hounds that had been entered some seasons, and wished for young hounds, who would with more certainty be taught to run a drag; however, the hounds were sent to Rivenhall, in Essex, and, as Crane suggested, at the first trials to induce them to run the drag they took no notice; at length by dragging a fox along the ground, and then crossing the hounds. upon the scent, and taking care to let them kill him, they became more handy to a drag, and had their exercise regularly three times a week on Tiptree Heath. The ground chosen was turf, and the distance over which the drag was taken was from eight to ten miles. The training commenced on the first of August, and continued until the twenty-eighth of October (the thirtieth the match was run)—their food was oatmeal and milk, and sheep's trotters. Upon the thirtieth of October, 1762, the drag was drawn (on account of running up the wind, which happened to be brisk) from the Rubbing House at Newmarket town-end to the Rubbing House at the starting post of the Beacon course. The four hounds were then laid on the scent. Mr. Barry's Bluecap came in first, Wanton (very close to Bluecap) second; Mr. Meynell's Richmond was beat by upwards of a hundred yards, and the bitch never run in at all: the ground was crossed in a little more than eight minutes. Three score horses started with the hounds. Cooper, Mr. Barry's huntsman,