tained, when the game was sought up at the expiration of two or three days, that the rifle-ball young K-fired at the elk, at random, had actually taken effect, though the distance was so great. The ball had struck the animal in the lower part of the shoulder, and then lodged in the breast, close to the bone; and there is hardly a doubt, if young Khad not fired that fatal bullet, the elk would have outrun the wolves, at least for that day, and that we should have returned home without effecting our purpose. Instead of this, in consequence of the mission of that "fated ball," we afterwards boasted of the capture of three hungry wolves, on whose heads was a handsome premium, as well as of that still more esteemed prize,— that fine, but forlorn animal, "the last of the elk."

186

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT, AND HIS BEAGLES.

BY THE EDITOR.

LOVE in a cottage is a sweet idea-a lovely legacy, bequeathed to us by the Pastoral Age, that golden era, when, as yet, cash was not, and men could dance without the assistance of Weippert, and sup independent of Waud or Gunter. These were the days when love could laugh and grow fat upon the odour of rose and jasmine, and cottages were innocent of rheumatism and black beetles. But we are no longer a pastoral people; as the young ladies at the finishing schools say, nous avons changé tout cela; and now the interpretation of the passage with which my paper commences, meaneth a bride with ten thousand a year, and a villa, surrounded by a park of as many acres. All men are agreed as to the fact, that condition and a large estate are necessaries of life, as we find that dispensation effected in our days; but in matters of taste there are differences of opinion. Use is said to be second nature most philosophers support this hypothesis; but it was denied by Brummel. According to him, no nature, human or inhuman, could hold out any length of time against a course of beef-steaks and porter. I hardly like to allude to my own impressions, in opposition to such an authority; but, as instances of what mortal men can bring

themselves to bear, I may be permitted to state that, among my personal acquaintances, were two, of whom one was in the habit of using prussic acid as a liqueur; and the other survived, for several years, after he married, and settled in the country.

If, then, men are to be allowed to go at large, who imbibe poison for pleasure, or, deserting Brookes's and Boodle's, take to strange women, the woods and fields, and return to the state of their painted ancestry-if, I say, these things may be done with impunity in civilized England, is it not guarantee that there shall be no quarrel about taste? By this time the purpose of my peroration will be apparent to the meanest capacity. People have disloyally ventured to wonder, that the amiable and popular Prince, whom it hath pleased our fair and fondlyhonoured Queen to constitute the highest subject in the realm, should condescend to enjoy the lowly sport of beagle-hunting. The man who does so is a traitor to common sense; and were I a juryman, sitting to inquire into the state of his sanity, I should incontinently pronounce him non compos. "Every one to his humour," is a right, established by proverb: the example being, "the man who kissed his cow." A yeoman, or small farmer, may chase his kine for a kiss; but a prince must not chase his hares for pleasure. Was anything ever so monstrous ?

In the course of last year, ten or a dozen couples of the most perfect beagles that could be procured in England, were brought to Cumberland Lodge for His Royal Highness Prince Albert. For this unique little pack, one of the most elegant kennels our sporting architecture can

boast, has lately been completed in Windsor Home Park. The lodge is of the Gothic order, replete with all possible appliances of comfort and professional convenience; and is frequently honoured by visits from Her Majesty, and her royal consort. The huntsman is Maynard, formerly in the capacity of keeper in the New Forest, assisted in his present office, I believe, by Bob Bartlett, the wellknown whip to the royal staghounds. I have only seen these pretty playthings of Diana on one occasion, and that was as they were taking their pleasure upon Ascot Heath, one fine evening in the spring. Whatever may be said of the practice of hunting, certainly nothing could be urged against its principle, worked out as I then witnessed it. Any timid gentleman could have borne them company on his palfrey; and, as to cruelty, I will lay two to one, that every jack-hare, of ordinary nerve, in the county of Bucks, shall have the best of any two couples of them in a fair stand-up fight. But, let it not be thought that this is said in a sarcastic spirit. In whatever form I find the rural sports of my country upheld, it shall ever claim my respect and consideration; nor can I feel other than grateful, that the consort of the Queen of Great Britain should countenance the lowly, as well as the distinguished sports of the land, in which he occupies so proud a place as that of first citizen.