I had the luck to see the hare approach me, in a direct line, for nearly half a mile, and presently followed by the pack. So good was the scent, that they came as straight as the hare came, and at a racing pace, but not a hound was within fifty yards of the line taken by the hare. They merely ran to windward of her, catching, of course, the scent from her entire body and her breath, as the breeze carried it towards them. Had hounds no higher scent to feel for than that produced by the pad-which no doubt contributes its share, or morethey would never carry it on at the pace we see them carry it. As far as the stag is concerned in this controversy, my having seen the North Devon stag-hounds beat down a shallow river after their game, at once proves that with him the scent is not confined to the slot. Again, I once saw Sir Thomas Mostyn's hounds run at prodigious speed over some flooded meadows; and old Wells's exclamation to the present Duke of Bedford, when he saw his hounds running with a breast-high scent over the Oakley meadows, when overflown was, " Its in the hair, my lord; its all in the hair;" by which we may suppose that old Wells's philosophy was not previously satisfied on this interesting point. To me, there never existed a doubt. Mr. Radcliffe proceeds to comment upon some more of Mr. Smith's "axioms," but I shall reserve my notice of them until I offer my remarks on his book.

(To be continued.)

SPORTING PEREGRINATIONS.

BY ROBIN HOOD.

Sounds which address the ear, are lost and die
In one short hour; but that which strikes the eye,
Lives long upon the mind; the faithful sight
Engraves the knowledge with a beam of light.

Few opportunities present themselves to me of passing my time more agreeably during the summer months, when the energetic sports of the field are enjoying their anniversary of rest, than that which is afforded by a trip into South Wales; where, having previously spent many pleasant days, the anticipation of a renewal of those happy reminiscences in perspective never fails to produce the concomitant gratifications. A projected visit to an old and valued friend, under whose hospitable roof nothing but harmony and good nature prevails, was another strong incitement to me to bend my course in that direction. "Souls attract souls when they're of kindred vein," and having nothing of urgent moment to prevent me, or to call me into any other part of the habitable globe, I turned my steps towards the land of leeks and Rebeccaites with a degree of pleasure quite equal to that

which I have on so many former occasions experienced. There is a buoyancy in the clear atmosphere of Wales, an independence and wild freedom in the appearance of the hills and mountains, peculiarly adapted to the expulsion of hypochondriacism; and although the fearful accounts which had been circulated respecting the depredations of Rebecca have had the effect of deterring many strangers from fulfilling their accustomed visits, I paid my respects to her ladyship without the slightest apprehension of molestation, annoyance, or insult; nor had I the slightest reason to regret my resolution, although during the greater portion of the time I remained in the neighbourhood, I was completely in the midst of the scenes of depredation. The injury which the reports have inflicted on Aberystwith, Tenby, and the minor sea-bathing places, is incalculable; but however much every well-wisher of peace and prosperity must denounce riot and violence, it cannot be denied that there has been some cause for complaint in consequence of accumulated grievances, for which remonstrance had failed in gaining redress. Encouraged by success in the first instance, the proceedings of Rebecca have, however, now assumed a formidable character, which will require vigorous measures to repress.

was this

The observations which I made last month on the effect of steeple chasing have most clearly been illustrated during the present season. Haverfordwest races are given up. Aberystwith, formerly one of the most agreeable little meetings that could be sought for anywhere, year a decided failure, both as regards company and horses. Swansea was in the same unenviable position; and, going into the north, Holywell races are discontinued. Some efforts have been made to revive Aberystwith, and the parties most interested represent a certainty of success for the ensuing year; but one great impediment exists, in the absence of other meetings either to precede or follow it. Persons will not send their horses a hundred miles for the chance of winning one small stake; and the exclusive conditions of some of the stakes, requiring the horses to be ridden only by members of certain clubs, is another cause why there are very few subscribers. the reservation extended no farther than to gentlemen members of a racing or fox-hunting club, elected by ballot, every desirable object would be obtained; there would be plenty of riders, plenty of horses, and lots of sport. The ultra exclusiveness of Croxton Park has materially injured that meeting; and in remote places the effect must be much more apparent if the custom be persevered in.

If

The sporting capabilities of the two counties of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire are of the highest character, but they are most wofully neglected. The rivers abound in fish, especially trout and salmon; but not having served an apprenticeship to the piscatorial art, it was a source of some mortification that I was unable to avail myself of the opportunity which was otherwise afforded to me of enjoying the sport on the margin of the far-famed Teify, near the banks of which I was for a considerable portion of my time located. I was obliged therefore to content myself as a looker-on, and had the gratification of seeing a splendid salmon, upwards of 12 lbs. weight, hooked and landed by a servant of my worthy friend, at whose house

I was a guest; the various occupations of whom entitle him to the denominations of stud groom, trainer, huntsman, keeper, and, I may add, privy councillor as well. The preservation of partridges and pheasants being very imperfectly attended to, not a tenth part are to be found, which a little perseverance would ensure. The cultivated parts are well adapted for partridges, and in many places there are coverts in which pheasants could not fail to abound if the mere attention of feeding them were resorted to. The innumerable multitude of cur dogs is a great evil: at almost every cottage and farm-house, howsoever poor the inmates may be, a cur is kept, for what ostensible purpose it is difficult to define; but they are constantly hunting and skirting about, by which means the birds are driven from their nests, and incessantly disturbed in many places, to the total annihilation of the species. The head of grouse on the mountains, from similar causes, is equally reduced in numbers; and in order to increase the herbage for the sheep and cattle, the heath being frequently burnt and otherwise destroyed, every succeeding year their numbers will be decreased unless some effectual arrangements are made for their security.

As a fox-hunting country the greater portions of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire hold forth attractions superior to many in England which are denominated first-rate; but in this respect also the greatest neglect, or rather indifference, is manifest, although there are several gentlemen who keep a few couples of hounds in a most irregular manner. With the exception of the Gogerddon hounds, the property of the highly respected and worthy member, Mr. Pryse Pryse, and the Teify-side hounds, kept by subscription under the guidance of Mr. Lewis, of Clynfiew, there are no regular fox-hunting establishments in the two counties. The Gogerddon hounds hunt the northern part of Cardiganshire, in the neighbourhood of Aberystwith, extending southwards to Aberayron and Lampeter. They are at least they were an exceedingly clever pack of hounds. It is with regret I write in such an equivocal manner, having heard that the ravages of dumb madness has thinned their ranks since last season to a most fearful extent; in order to replenish which, recourse has been had to other kennels, and consequently the perfection at which they had arrived must of necessity for a time be diminished. The very masterly manner in which they are managed under the direction of Mr. P. Pryse, jun., demands the highest encomiums; nor can the inhabitants of the country acknowledge in terms too strong the thanks which are due to Mr. Pryse for the great liberality which is manifest throughout: the whole of the expense is borne by himself, and every thing is conducted with as much science, regularity, and judgment as in any kennel of equal extent in England. Having hunted with them a few seasons back, I am enabled to record their perfections with the greatest confidence. Kennel lameness has also been one of the insurmountable obstacles which this pack have had to contend against, the presence of lead being supposed at one time to have been the cause; a theory, however, which must be abandoned, inasmuch as the water now consumed by the hounds is carefully restricted to that only which falls from the clouds, and which, taking its course from the

surface of the mountains surrounding the kennel, is conducted by channels, partly natural and partly artificial, to receptacles appropriated for the purpose. No water can be more pure, nor can there be any doubt but that the peculiar nature of the subsoil, or rather substratum of rock, is the cause of the malady. As far as an inspection in kennel will authorize an opinion, the Teify-side hounds are a neat business-like lot, just of the right size to go in a hilly country-about twenty-one inches. Though not looking quite so level in their condition as they might be made, they appeared to be healthy. One remark, however, must not be overlooked, which is the fact of this kennel being particularly sound-so much so that many hounds sent from the Gogerddon so badly afflicted with kennel lameness as not to be able to work, have recovered. It is therefore reasonable to infer that the situation must be the cause; it may consequently afford some interest to describe it. The place selected is on rather a high hill, which is ascended through a plantation, consequently it is above a wood; the soil is dry, and the substratum a slate rock, which I believe is also the substratum under the Gogerddon kennels; but there is this difference-the latter are in a low situation, the former on an elevated one; and, as far as I can judge, the layers or plates of slate forming the substratum of the Teify-side kennels are horizontal, those of the Gogerddon are perpendicular or nearly so. Any person acquainted with these counties will no doubt have observed that the substratum is composed for the most part of a kind of slaty rock, more or less hard, and appearing to be thrown together in the most irregular manner possible, as though an earthquake or some volcanic eruption had in ages far gone past effected this wonderful chaos as a foundation for the comparatively slight covering of earth which is capable of cultivation. By this I am led to the conclusion-for positively to advance an opinion, or rather an assertion, on the inexplicable phenomenon of kennel lameness, would be to pronounce a total ignorance of any knowledge of the complaint-that a kennel built upon a slate rock where the layers or plates have been thrown horizontally, will be sound; but where they lay perpendicularly it will not, and for this reason: slate, in its compact form, is nearly impervious to water; therefore in the horizontal position little if any evaporation or consequent exhalation can take place; but on the other hand, when the slate lays perpendicularly, the insterstices or apertures receiving water and absorbing moisture, will, on the alterations of weather in the rarification of the atmosphere and heat of the sun, carry on the process of evaporation-the direct cause, no doubt, of kennel lameness.

Mr. Loyd, of Glansevin, keeps hounds of all sorts, or rather he hunts all sorts of animals with the hounds which he keeps, nothing coming amiss from a mouse to an elephant; but as report declares his utter neglect of the observance of the rules and etiquette of the chase, as recognized by sportsmen of the present day, it would be a waste of time to devote attention to such packs as are heard of destroying foxes at all seasons of the year, regardless of the sacred estimation in which vixens, when in cub, are held by all masters of hounds whose pride would be gratified by having the performances

of their packs recorded in print, and their sporting exploits handed down to posterity.

Some hounds are also kept at Carmarthen, which hunt fox or hare as either may present themselves; whilst harriers or beagles are very numerous in all parts. Capt. Bowen Davies, whose judgment in breeding is universally acknowledged, has taken great pains to breed the most perfect kind of beagle I have ever yet seen; they are perfect foxhounds in appearance, about fifteen inches high, at least as near as my eye will permit me to judge, and very symmetrically formed. Having bred a considerable number, a great portion are consigned to the kennel of his neighbour, Capt. Seymour Davis, to whom they will be a very great acquisition if he will not spoil them by crossing with hounds of a different character-an error which too many men are apt to fall into. Totally opposed to incestuous breeding, I cannot, however, approve of crosses which do not assimilate in character, propensities, or form.

From Carmarthen to Lampeter, a distance of upwards of twenty miles, the country is completely without a regular pack of foxhounds; the district in the locality of Llandovery is equally neglected, but a finer opportunity need not be sought for by those who wish to hunt in a fine wild, lopen, sporting country than to establish a well appointed pack of foxhounds. There are certainly hills to contend against, but very few of them are insurmountable; there are occasionally dingles to cross which are not passable at all points, and thus many of the inhabitants fancy it to be a most difficult country to ride to hounds in, comparing it with the crack countries of England, where they erroneously conceive it is all plain sailing. They do not take into consideration the railroads which intersect Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, and other first-rate hunting counties; and which railroads are quite as positive in the way of impediment to horsemen as any dingles can be. How many rivers and brooks are there in those counties which are totally impassable except at the bridges; whereas in the parts of Wales which I am now describing, there is not a brook or river which is not jumpable or fordable, except in the time of flood; and even then there are generally parts which are capable of being crossed.

Considering the present state of affairs in the aforesaid part of the principality, no greater boon could be offered than a first-rate pack of foxhounds, but they must be maintained in such a way as to attract the notice and attendance of the gentlemen residing in the country, to whom the welfare of the country is an object. A scratch pack, hunted without order or regularity, will never command the attendance of any but the owner and a few of his immediate friends; in fact there are too many such already in existence, and they are a great nuisance. To render foxhounds of service to a country, they must be so conducted as to be a means of inducing country gentlemen to reside on their estates-an object of the utmost importance to the welfare of the principality at the present crisis. To this end the places of meeting must be regularly advertised, instead of turning out on such days, at such places, and at such hours as may suit the conve