Europe; and the following circumstance, related by Olina, seems to have been the occasion of it :-A vessel which, among other commodities, was carrying a quantity of Canary birds to Leghorn, was wrecked on the coast of Italy; and these birds, being thus set at liberty, flew to the nearest land, which was the Island of Elba, where they found the climate so favorable that they multiplied, and would have become domesticated, had they not been caught in snares, and divers other ways, for sale; and the breed of them there has long since been extinct.

The breeding of these birds was at first attended with great difficulty, as the treatment they required was not known; but vast numbers are now bred in England of the pure breed, as well as a great quantity of handsome mule birds, chiefly from the cross of the green linnet, whose original note surpasses that of all the linnet variety. It was at one time supposed that those birds bred on the Canary Islands were much better singers than those reared in England, but this does not appear to be the case. As the male parrot is much superior in his colour and plumage to the female, so is the cock Canary bird. The hen birds sometimes sing, but they are much inferior in the strength of their notes to the males; neither is their plumage so gay. The form of them, however, is singularly symmetrical and elegant.

In former times various treatises were published, in various languages, on the mode of rearing Canary birds; and many persons made it a trade, acquiring considerable fortunes by it. In the Tyrol there is a company, who, after the breeding season is over, send out persons to different parts of Germany and Switzerland to purchase birds from those who breed them. Great numbers of these are sent to England, where, considering the distance they are brought from, they are sold at a cheap rate.

The principal food of these birds is a plant called Canary seed, first supposed to have been brought for this purpose from the Canary Islands to Spain, and from thence dispersed all over Europe. In some botanical works this plant is laid down as Phalaris Canariensis, and is supposed to be the phalaris mentioned by Pliny. A great quantity of it is now sown in England, particularly in the Island of Thanet, and is sold in the London market at from 50s. to 70s. per quarter.

THE FRENCHMAN AND THE CLERICAL HORSEDEALER.

A complaint, which caused a great deal of conversation in Bath, was made by a French gentleman, named Lafu, against a clergyman who resides in the neighbourhood of that city, and who is remarkable for dealing very profitably in horses. The magistrates applied to

See Barrington's Paper in Philos. Trans., Vol. LXIII p. 949

on the occasion recommended that the circumstances should be stated in a court of law, after having the following account from the lips of the Frenchman. I go to buy a horse from him, and he ask me forty guinea. I say no, by Gar, I no give that. Well, say the clergyman, I tell you what; you shall have him for thirty-five guinea; but, d-n my eye, you shall no have him less."

Magistrate. You could not think of dealing with a clergyman who was so ready to swear. -Frenchman. Oui, I did: I thought a clergyman would not swear any thing but true; so I paid him the money. Well, I got upon him, and he go beautiful. Then I put him up in the Bell's stables, and I ride him next day, but he go upon three leg; so I put him up again, but he still go upon three leg, and then I gave him a doctor; but, by Gar, he walk upon his knee, and so I say, if you walk upon your knee, I do not walk upon your back.-Magistrate. You mean that the horse was unsound?-Frenchman. Oui, he got the gout.-Magistrate. The gout! horses don't get the gout. Frenchman. But he was a clergyman's horse, and they both have the gout. The horse's leg was swelled, and so was the master's. Magistrate. Well, I suppose you sent back the horse ?-Frenchman. No; the clergyman said, d-n his eye, he'd no have him; but I ask Mr. Bell to buy him for thirty-five guinea; but he said no, I not give you more than five pound; so I keep him in the stable twelve week, and then I send him to be sold; and what do you think I got ?-Magistrate. Why, perhaps five pounds.-Frenchman. No, by Gar, I got fifteen pound.-Magistrate. Well, I think you received more than you had a right to expect, in your transactions with this worthy clergyman. -Frenchman. Receive! Why, I receive nothing. I got the fifteen pound to pay for the dinner.-Magistrate. For dinner? - Frenchman. Oui. For my horse's dinner for the twelve week in Mr. Bell's stable. The unfortunate Frenchman thus lost, by his dealing with the reverend horse-jockey, no less than fifty pounds.

THE MISER SPORTSMAN "SERVED OUT!"

A gentleman residing in the neighbourhood of Taunton, who is notorious for the strictness with which he guards his preserves, was visiting at the house of a friend, where he was introduced to a third gentleman, an utter stranger to him. In the course of conversation this latter personage, who affected considerable effeminacy and dandyism, intimated that he was very desirous of enjoying a day's shooting, at which sport, however, he was a mere tyro. The man of preserves looked at the querist, and, in an unusual fit of generosity, promised a day's pleasure. Accord ingly, it was agreed that on the next morning he should breakfast with him at his seat, and thence he would accompany him to his covers. Morning came, and with it our sportsman,

dressed, not in the usual shooting gear, but in a full ball dress, with dancing shoes instead of boots. His host stared, though rejoicing that nothing more formidable was about to be introduced into his preserves. The meal concluded, he takes him to the window. "There is the cover; I regret that I cannot accompany you." (Had he been an evident sportsman, he would have followed him like one of his own pointers.) The dandy went, and, lo! proved to be an unfailing marksman. The birds rose, and fell as quickly, until the keeper spied him-demanded his name-rushed to his master. "He has my permission, John; the pumps and silk stockings will only frighten the birds a little, aha!" "Why, Lord bless me, sir, he's knocking 'em down right and left-he's killed a bushel." Away runs the astonished owner-the stranger had already killed five hares, twenty pheasants, and two cocks. Enraged, the owner eyes his martyred friends-an explanation ensues - -the never-missing shot is warned off the manorpumps, silk stockings, and all. It was Captain M-, a celebrated sporting character.

A SPORTSMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

Mr. Harry Smith, who died in Heather's

Buildings, in the East Pallant, Chichester, at the age of eighty-four. The above veteran was well known by the appellation of "The 'Squire." He was a complete sportsman of the Old School-skilful in the use of the cross and long bows, and at all athletic exer

cises-an adept at the single stick and quarter-staff, which last he would, till lately, turn with astonishing celerity. A well known fact of his prowess in the last-named exercise we subjoin-In the year 1779, a serjeant of Elliot's Light Horse being then in Chichester, and who was reputed one of the best swordsmen of the day, challenged his sword against "the 'squire's" staff, to draw the first blood; many are living who saw the encounter; when at the expiration of four minutes, "the squire" gave his adversary the end of his staff in his forehead, which laid him flat on his back, and gained the victory. The staff, which is seven feet ten inches in length, is now preserved, and has thirteen cuts of the sword in it.

THE OTTER.

It is well known that he is now become, in Great Britain, very scarce; so much so, indeed, that one is rarely met with, and scarcely any establishment for hunting him at present exists in England. The otter may be followed occasionally with harriers, but the otter hound, of which mention is made in several old publications on the subject of field-sports, is no where to be met with. Yet though

these antiquated tomes speak at some length on the subject of otter hunting, they are, nevertheless, silent as to the peculiar characteristics of the dogs in question: hence, we might reasonably conclude that, at a period not very remote, these hounds were very well known, though the mode of producing them now appears to be wrapped in the scarf of oblivion. Though the chase of the otter is not likely to become prevalent in England, yet information relative to field-sports must always be interesting to the true sportsman; and, perhaps, some one among the number of your numerous and intelligent readers may be induced to favour us with a description of the dog formerly used for this purpose. The following is an account of the mode of catching sea-otters on the north-east coast of America.

In the first place, it may not be amiss to observe that the Russians have, for some years, carried on a very considerable trade in furs procured from that coast, which principally consist of the skins of the sea-otter. For taking these animals, the Russians retain in their service many of the native inhabitants of the coast just mentioned, a number of whom proceed together in separate bidarkas; and, as any of the party perceives an otter, he throws his arrow (or small harpoon) at it, and pulls to the place where it plunges. He here stations his boat, and then lifts up his oar The rest of the hunters, on observing the signal, form a circle round it: and, the moment the animal shows its head above water, he that is nearest throws his arrow, and then appeared; while the hunter, by raising his hastens to the spot where the otter again disoar, again exhibits the signal for a second circle to form. In this manner the chase continues, till the animal, exhausted by fatigue, as well as loss of blood, which incessantly flows from repeated wounds, is, at length, taken. If, at the commencement of the chase, the prey happens to receive a serious wound, he is quickly captured; but it sometimes occurs that twenty bidarkas are employed half a day in taking a single otter. This animal will sometimes tear the arrow from its body with its teeth, for the purpose of effecting its escape, which, however, seldom happens, and is almost impossible, as the Cadiack people, exercised from childhood to this species of the chase, are not only very expert at it, but are able to ascertain the course of the otter under-water. In fine weather, this is known by the bubbles which appear on the surface; while, in rough weather, the otter always directs his course against the wind.

When a female otter happens to be attacked, in company with her young one, the mother immediately clasps the young one with her fore feet, and plunges beneath the surface. However, as the cub is not able to remain

• A kind of small boat, peculiar to that part of the world.

long under water, she is under the necessity of rising again very soon, and of thus exposing herself to the darts of her pursuers. It sometimes happens, that the hunters come upon the female by surprise, and separate her from her young one, in which case the cub is sure to be taken immediately; but the mother no sooner hears its cries than she swims to the very bidarka from which they proceed, and, regardless of all danger, shares the fate of her little complaining captive. If the female has two cubs, which is sometimes the case, she will destroy one herself, in order that she may be able to devote her whole attention to the protection of the other.

When a sea-otter is killed, the hunters express their triumph by a general shout.

The first plunge, or dive, of that animal exceeds a quarter of an hour; the second is of shorter duration, the third still shorter; and thus the intervals gradually diminish till, at last, it can plunge no more. These creatures sometimes swim on their sides, at other times on their backs, or in an upright position. When attacked, they make no resistance, but endeavour to save themselves by flight; where, however, they see no means of escape, they will scold and grin like an angry cat. On receiving a blow from a club, they turn on their side, draw up their hind legs, cover their eyes with their fore-paws, and thus seem to prepare themselves for death.

The sea-otter is much larger than the common otter. It is about four feet in length, of which the tail occupies about thirteen inches; and the largest weigh from seventy to eighty pounds.

THE LATE LORD

SPORTING ANECDOTE OF NELSON. Lord Nelson had been shooting one day near Palermo, and on his return he and Captain Hood came down to a small creek, where only one boat lay, in which was a boy. Nelson enquired if the boy could shove them on board the flag-ship, for which he would pay him well. The lad did not know him in his shooting-jacket, and said he was waiting for his master, who belonged to a merchant brig, and he had orders not to stir from the beach, so he could not do it. "Let us take the boat by force," said Hood, "the owner will not dare to grumble." "For that very reason I won't allow it. I have marked the boy down for a good one," was Nelson's answer; "I would rather swim on board, at the risk of being drowned, than do an unjust and tyrannical act to one who dare not resent it. Here, boy, is a dollar for so well obeying your master's orders." The master came down at the time, and the sportsmen were accommodated with a shove alongside; and when the boatswain's whistle, four sidesmen, and marines under arms, announced it was the admiral, both master and boy were alarmed; and the former was still more astonished at his great

condescension when Nelson sang out" tumble up, messmate.-You shall partake of our sport to-day, be it bad or good; and a glass of grog into the bargain!"

SHARK FIGHT. BY AN EYE-WITNESS, &
NATIVE OF CALCUTTA.

In the month of May, an instance of intrepidity and dexterity, on the part of an upcountry native, well worthy of being recorded, occurred lately in this neighbourhood. I was walking on the bank of the river at the time when some up-country boats were delivering their cargoes. A considerable number of Coolies were employed on shore in the work, all of which I observed running away in apparent trepidation from the edge of the waterreturning again, as if eager, yet afraid, to approach some object, and again returning as before. I found, on inquiry, that the cause of all this perturbation was the appearance of a large and strange-looking fish, swimming close to the bank, and almost in the midst of the boats. I hastened to the spot to ascertain the matter, when I perceived a huge monster of a shark sailing along-now near the surface of the water, and now sinking down apparently in pursuit of his prey. At this moment, a native on the Choppah roofs of one of the boats, with a rope in his hand, which he was slowly coiling up, surveyed the shark's motions with a look that evidently indicated he had a serious intention of encountering him in his own element. Holding the rope, on which he made a sort of running knot, in one hand, and stretching out the other arm, as if already in the act of swimming, he stood in an attitude truly picturesque, waiting the re-appearance of the shark. At about six or eight yards from the boat, the animal rose near the surface, when the native instantly plunged into the water, a short distance from the very jaws of the monster. The shark immediately turned round, and swam slowly towards the man, who, in his turn, nothing daunted, struck out the arm that was at liberty, and approached bis foe. When within a foot or two of the shark, the native dived beneath him, the animal going down almost at the same instant. The bold assailant in this most frightful contest soon re-appeared on the opposite side of the shark, swimming fearlessly with the hand he had at liberty, and holding the rope behind his back with the other. The shark, which had also by this time made his appearance, again immediately swam towards him; and while the animal was apparently in the act of lifting himself over the lower part of the native's body that he might seize upon his prey, the man, making a strong effort, threw himself up perpendicularly, and went down with his feet foremost, the shark following him so simultaneously, that I was fully impressed with the idea that they had gone down grappling together. As far as I could judge, they remained nearly twenty seconds out of sight,

while I stood in breathless anxiety, and I may add, horror, waiting the result of this fearful encounter. Suddenly the native made his appearance, holding up both his hands over his head, and calling out with a voice that proclaimed the victory he had won while underneath the wave, 'Tan-tan!' The people in the boat were all prepared; the rope was instantly drawn tight, and the struggling victim, lashing the water in his wrath, was dragged to the shore and dispatched. When measured, his length was found to be six feet nine inches; his girth at the greatest three feet seven inches. The native who achieved this intrepid and dexterous exploit bore no other marks of his finny enemy than a cut on the left arm, evidently received from coming in contact with the tail or some one of the fins of the animal.

EPITOME OF THE POINTS AT WHIST.

A game consists of two points, five each; a rubber, of two games out of three; and this may be five points-two for each game, and the rubber game; consequently, a bumper (that is, two consecutive games, in which the adversaries do not score five in either of them) is five points. In other cases, where each party scores a game, single or double, the points, after the deciding game, are set off against what has been scored by the opponents. In close games, as in the bumper (five points), the points are as made-viz. a double and single score four points; two singles, three points (that is, two in the first instance for the points, aud one for the rubber); a double to double, and a double the deciding game, as three points; a double on one side against a single on the other, with a double the last game, is four points; double and single against a double, two points; double and single against a single, three points; two singles and rubber three points; two singles against a double, one point; single and single, and a double the last, three points; single and single, and a single the last, two points; and so on, in all the varieties of the gamethe points of the losers being set off against those of the winners, and the rubber game (no matter whether consecutive or not) carrying one point, and, consequently, the winner of the rubber must gain one point (as above), even though, in winning two singles, his adversaries score a double (even points) against them.

RACES AT ST. HELENA.

In all parts of the world it appears that a little bit of sporting is very acceptable to the inhabitants, to put them in good spirits; and the following account of the "Knowing ones taken in" we have no doubt will be well received by our readers.

The St. Helena Races, which took place in September last, presented the sporting ama

teurs with a novelty, such perhaps as is not to be found recorded in the annals of horse-racing. An officer of Lowther undertook to trot one of those immense dray horses which are made use of in London, and which had been brought out in that ship for the purpose of drawing the stores up the beach, against an ambling nag of the island, whose favorite pace was a canter. The match was made for twenty guineas, and the distance to be trotted was one mile. At the appointed time the gentleman who rode the daisy cutter was upon the ground, waiting for his opponent, the knight of the dray horse, who soon made his appearance over the top of the last hill, which he had to surmount on his way from town to Deadwood, for he rode all the way up, nothing fearful of fatiguing his colossal beast, of whom it was truly observed, "the trembling earth resounded to his tread." He was ac coutred, if not in Dandy, yet something like Dandie Dinmmont's style, with a large white frock coat; white hat, the slouching brim of which had "ample room and verge enough” to shield the wearer from both sun and rain, large top boots, and his dexter hand flourishing a long whip. They started, and bets ran high against poor Dobbin, but his opponent perhaps scorning such a competition, or finding a trot uneasy to his rigidity of limb, soon broke off into his accustomed two up and two down, and was consequently obliged to return and start anew. He did so, but with no better success, yet still bets were in his favor. A third time he started, but, "still beginning, never ending," was a third time obliged to return. The tide now turned in Dobbin's favor, who all this while kept on the even tenor of his trot,

"And backward and forward he switched his long tail.

As a gentleman switches his cane" Finally, by his plodding perseverance, as is often the case in more important competitions, men as well as horses, Dobbin carried off the prize from his fleet but unsteady rival, and came in the winner of the race, amid the loud laughter and acclamations of nearly all the population of the island, assembled to witness the race.

FANCY PARODY.

Air-"The Minstrel Boy to the War is gone."
The leary cove to the mill is gone,

In the P. C. ring you'll find him,
His blue bird's eye he has girded on,
And has left his flame behind him.
Fancy sport, cried the leary cove,
Though every Beak betrays thee,
One soul at least thy Sprees shall love,

One faithful chaunt shall praise thee
The cove was floor'd, but he show'd high game,
Nor like a cur knocked under.
His chaunt will ne'er be clear agair,
For his nose was split asunder.
Leary cove, said his flame in a pet,
Thou pink of love and bravery,
Since thou art floor'd, I'll a service get,
And spend my days in slavery.

THE town of Birmingham, to the lovers of Sporting, is most certainly distinguished at the present moment for the possession of a celebrated Race Horse; and also for a native pugilistic Champion;* two thorough-bred articles in their line; and who have done the "Sporting World' some service, and they know it. But the town of Birmingham has

The brave, unconquered little Arthur Matthewson -the Nonpariel of Birmingham, who not only triamphed over all his antagonists in his native county, but he also disputed the palm of excellence as a Pugilist in the London Ring.

rendered itself much more eminent in the eyes of society, by its love and support of the FINE ARTS; likewise for its attachment to Literature; and for its devotedness to the cause of liberty but respecting a knowledge of Mechanics it stands unrivalled. The town of Birmingham, within the last few years, has made rapid strides towards importance in a political point of view-and the "March of Intellect" has given it more real power in society than all the guns, swords, and pistols, that were ever manufactured in it from the first minute it obtained the name of Birmingham, up to the