that of his friend and neighbour, Lord Rancliffe, there were many points of resemblance :

"He's gone!

"And he who would assail him in his grave,
Oh, let him pause! For who among us all,
Tried as he was, and with his soul of flame-
Pleasure-while yet the down was on his cheek-
Uplifting, pressing--and to lips like his-
Her charmed cup-Oh, who among us all

Could say he had not erred as much, and more?"*

In my next I hope to give a regular syllabus of sport under Sir Richard Sutton. For the present I have only room to say that the packs are in admirable working condition; that the hunting stud and appointments are first-rate; that Melton is full of choice spirits; that Leicester, and other occasional quarters, have their complement; and that despite some bothering frosts and bewildering fogs, the season has already been distinguished by several crack runs.

Leicestershire, Dec. 16, 1851.

OLD GREY.

"THE STAG MUST DIE!”

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY A. COOPER, R.A.

Magnificent creature! to reach thee I strain.
Through forest and glen, over mountain and plain ;
Yet, now thou art fallen, thy fate I deplore,
And lament that the reign of thy greatness is o'er.

Where now is that courage, late bounding so high-
That acuteness of scent, and that brilliance of eye-
That fleetness of foot, which out-speeding the wind,
Has so often left death and destruction behind?

Thine heart's blood is streaming, thy vigour gone by,
Thy fleet foot is palsied, and glazed is thine eye-
The last hard convulsion of death has come o'er thee-
Magnificent creature! who would not deplore thee?

The above beautiful lines, so appropriate to our subject, are from the pen of the Honourable H. T. Liddell, who supplied them to Mr. Scrope for his standard work on "The Art of Deer-stalking." We have much satisfaction in associating Mr. Cooper's pencil with so congenial an authority.

* Close by the side of Bunny Hall stands a quaint-looking tower. It was erected by Sir Thomas Parkyns, Lord Rancliffe's great-grandfather, for the purpose of affording a view of the chase: and here often the old baronet and his lady used to have what they called a day's hunting. Lord Rancliffe used to ridicule such a mode of enjoying it; but when he could no longer mount his steed, he mounted the tower, and from its battlements gave his last" tally ho!"

NOTES OF THE MONTH PAST,

The weather would appear to be getting a little more kindly the further we reach into December, and the hunting season, after about a month's adjournment, to have commenced in earnest. With the exception of an extraordinary run over the Dumfries hills with Lord Drumlanrigg, we hear little of "clipping" things anywhere, but from every quarter the word of promise is boldly given. Of what sport there has been, "the Staggers" have had the best of it, and amongst these Captain West is daily adding to his repute as a master of hounds and a determined sportsman. An old correspondent, "Honest Jack," writes in very glowing terms of his visit to the Water-house establishment, and the workman-like order in which he found horses, hounds, and men. We sincerely congratulate our Bath friends on the gallant successor they have found to Mr. Theobald.

In the absence of anything of interest on "active service," there have been two or three discussions carried on concerning the chase and its supporters. Mr. Drake's dispute with the Oxfordshire gentlemen seems now to have been settled on possession being argued as the best point of law. We regret, for many reasons, the matter was not referred to a master of hounds jury. As it is, Mr. Phillips' committee allow the verdict to go against them " "by default," and yet we fancy they had a We speak with an intimate knowledge of the country in dispute, and a most sincere respect for Mr. Drake; but still, how long is it since the Rycot district has been half hunted, and how many of the Bicester men ever saw it?

case, too.

66

Another piece of unpleasantness has been the offer of Sir Robert Peel's hunters at the hammer, in consequence of, according to advertisement, "the unsportsmanlike conduct and political animosity of certain Protectionist farmers." The warning off, however, was withdrawn almost as soon as given, and the sensation would have soon died away but for a most indiscreet, ill-natured letter from " a neighbour," which our friend Nunquam Dormio" unfortunately allowed to be published; and out comes the quarrel worse than ever in a paper war. As it was, only three of Sir Robert's stud were sold, so that we may soon hope to see him again in the field-The Conjuror for 250 gs., Countess for 195 gs., and a hack for 100 gs. Good prices in these times, but not reaching some of the figures in Mr. Carew's stable of hunters, which, after a deal of coquetting amongst the men in possession, were knocked down by Mr. Tattersall at the following rates of transfer :

Sir Tatton, 300 gs.; Jack (a hack), 280 gs.; Hendon, 250 gs. ; The Cardinal, 250 gs.; White Stockings, 240 gs.; Friday, 185 gs.; The Clever One, 185 gs.; Aristocrat, 150 gs.; The Sweep, 135 gs.; Master Walter, 110 gs.; Woldsman, 105 gs. ; The Nigger, 105 gs.; Greyling, 100 gs.; Dunchurch, 91 gs.; Melbourne, 83 gs.; Clinker, 50 gs.; Brown Stout, 44 gs.; A Black Cob, 31 gs.

Another good sale during the month was made of Mr. Holmes' valuable kennel of greyhounds at Aldridge's-Motley (a first season dog)

fetching 100 gs.; Mealworm, 80 gs.; Malvina, the dam of Mockingbird, £56 14s.; Moneytaker, £30 9s.; a black dog puppy by Figaro, out of Malvina, £52, and many others good prices. The greyhound of her day, Mocking-bird, was not put up.

Connected with the sale of sporting stock, we have to record the death of Mr. Edmond Tattersall, the junior partner and brother of the two gentlemen of that name and firm so well known and respected. A more truly amiable or better man is seldom found, rejoicing in doing good by stealth, and persevering in a course of unostentatious but welldirected charity. Mr. Edmond Tattersall never took so active a share in the business as his elder brother at Hyde Park Corner, directing his attention more to the management of the Stud Farm at Willesden. As may be supposed, he was a good sportsman, and well known as a regular man and fearless rider during the Lord Derby and "Jonathan" days in Surrey.

The only other note of the month we may add here, is an unprecedented feat of the celebrated pedestrian Manks, who has run 20 miles in one hour fifty-eight minutes and eighteen seconds, beating the Maxfield match, the best previously on record, by twelve seconds. The object was to accomplish this, and a very close race was the result.

SPORTING IN NORWAY AND SWEDEN.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-The time is drawing nigh when a few words touching the salmon-fishing in Norway and Sweden may prove acceptable. In 1843 a gentleman, of one of our principal clubs, killed on the Namsen river in Norway, in the space of 70 days, with a single rod, 256 salmon and 112 grilses, weighing respectively 4,681 lbs. and 571 lbs. He commenced the 7th day of June, and left off the 16th of August. The greater part were killed in July. On the 15th day of that month he killed 11 fish, weighing 218lbs., the smallest being 14lbs., and the heaviest 36lbs.; on the 17th 13 fish, weighing 262 lbs., the smallest 13lbs., and largest 26lbs.; on the 20th 12 fish, weighing 262lbs., the least being 13lbs., and biggest 31lbs. ; and on the 25th of July 19 fish, weighing 2824lbs., smallest 74lbs., and biggest 223lbs. This was the most in one day. All boat work.

Norway is now of such easy and speedy access, that I cannot help giving the hint to those who feel inclined to enjoy such glorious sport. A first-rate steamer leaves Hull once a fortnight (on a Saturday-see "Times"), and goes direct to Christiania; and from thence to the Namsen is not a long journey. The above exploit cannot be generally known; but although the like may not now be achieved in that river, yet there are others not near so well known to wit, the Evangur, between five and six Norway miles from Bergen: also the Romsdalen. In this latter river it is mostly casting. There are some pools; but it is difficult to row a boat in them: the fish are large. The Romsdalen is not so early as the Evangur. There is also good reindeer-shooting in the neighbourhood, as well as other game. Good sport is also to be

had at Steinsier, 10 miles north of Drontheim, and on the road to the Namsen. Here there is a capital inn, where they charge only half a specie dollar (about 2s. 3d.) a head per diem for bed and grub. In Southern Sweden there is only one spot I know of worth fishing, but it is first-rate the river at Falconberg, on the west coast, about halfway between Helsingburg and Gottenburg. The fishing, with the rod only, is at present let by the town to two English gentlemen, resident in the country, for the trifling sum of about £18 a year, the fish killed being the property of the town. They have hitherto kept it uncommonly snug to themselves; and the answer to all tender inquiries is that it belongs to a club-the said club consisting of the two beforementioned gentlemen; but of course the town will again let it to the highest bidder. One of the club killed with his own rod, in the month of July 1849, 60 salmon in 23 hours, weighing, on an average, 9lbs. each. This is pretty tidy work. There is also very good shooting; but it is necessary to get leave, which is not always difficult to be obtained. In the season of 1848 fourteen persons only visited the Norwegian rivers, and caught, on an average, with the rod, 1,000 lbs. of salmon each.

Those who choose to have a slap at the bears ought to be in the town of Carlstad, at the top of the noble lake Wenem in Sweden, to reach which sledging is the pleasant mode-early in February; from whence they can very soon find out Herr Falcke, the king's head-ranger for that part of the country-as fine an old sportsman as is to be seen anywhere. A good introduction to him, and the thing is done. Sweden is so cheap that bed and board can be had anywhere, except in, and in the immediate vicinity of, the large towns, for £32 per annum. This comprises three meals a day, a comfortable bed, and plenty of fire, candles, and even washing; in fact, everything except clothes and grog: while the sport is generally to be had for nothing. In summer the climate is heavenly, there being scarcely any night; and although much colder in winter than England, yet it is more bracing and healthy. What more can be said? Piscator, go and try it! but don't, I regret to say, put too much faith in your own countrymen you may find located there; although there are, of course, exceptions. In Norway you must pay for the fishing, but it will not be much. Those who come in yachts are sure of meeting with plenty of attention; and generally two or three English yachts are to be found there every summer. A trip in a small yacht-say from 25 to 40 tons-from Gottenburg, through the canals and lakes, to Stockholm, will amply repay. The scenery is beautiful. Vessels drawing not more than 9 feet (English) water, and not exceeding 96 feet (English) in length, can pass comfortably through the locks. Should any craft draw more, it might be lightened and then reloaded after passing through. Eleven feet is generally to be found up to the pier at Gottenburg; but a continued northerly and easterly wind will lower it to 10 or 10 feet in that case they must bring up lower down the river. There is only a few inches' rise and fall of tide. There are no regular pilots for the river, and it is necessary to keep between the two rows of wooden dolphins to avoid touching the ground, and do not always trust to the man piloting. Nets and duck-guns may be taken for both fresh and salt-water work. Splendid duck-shooting on the Wenem and other lakes in the month of July! A TRAVELLER.