must have taken place, though from all we could see, Bess would have won had they tried another beat.

For the Clearwell Stakes of 30 sovs. each, 20 ft., nine started and seven paid. Here we had again a number of false starts. Surely these tricks ought to be looked into; for I will take upon myself to say that in nine cases out of ten they are nothing else. Indeed it runs in families. If a gentleman has a horse so badly broke that he will not start-or has the misfortune, which much oftener happens, of having a jockey too obstinate to let him-it is too bad that the welldisposed should suffer, by having a poor young thing half galloped to death before the race takes place. Why not, at the end of three starts, let those which are left behind remain so, and he who chooses to retain a bad tempered horse or a stupid jockey in his possession, be the only sufferer? When they did get off, we had a very fine race. Chiffney rode the Quail colt by Merlin (called Merchant), and won in his fine favorite stile; waiting patiently behind while the others cut each other up, till within about seventy yards of home, when he made one of those grand rushes, which appear in him at times, when the race will admit of it, like something beyond the natural powers of man. Mr. Wyndham's Urganda was second. The pace was good; so good, that if this is the worst of Mr.Thornhill's three for the Derby, he has some trimmers behind.

WEDNESDAY.-One race only, but of great interest-the Oatlands Stakes of 30 sovs. each, Bunbury's mile. Six started and

one

paid-Helenus-in consequence of his match the next day.

They got off very well together, with strong running by the light weights. John Day rode Pastime, the winner, carrying 9st. 6lb. in a way that does him credit; giving every pound of her great load due consideration; waiting against the hills with the greatest forbearance; making his running on that ground best suited to her circumstances; creeping up at last inch by inch, and winning by a head only-Brocard second, beating Recruit, who was third, by a head; so that the heads of the first three were as beads upon a string. If the weights given by Pastime are investigated, this performance places her as the first racer in the South; and were she matched against any other she would find plenty of backers.

THURSDAY.-The first race was a Handicap Plate of 1001. for four, five, six, and aged horses, Across the Flat. Lamplighter was made to give Goshawk, the winner, 11lbs. at high weights, both of a year, and Sligo, till now considered a good fair horse, 7lbs. and two years, with similar favours to others. There appeared to be eight in the race as they passed the judge. Goshawk won rather cleverly, rode by Robinson; The Vicar second-the only two placed. A complaint was brought to the stewards that the rider of Goshawk started after he was by the post, and not at it. This, with Epsom and Doncaster fresh in memory, made them hastily conclude that the second horse should have the Plate; but on investigation it turned out that Robinson was not the transgressor this time. Much angry feeling being raised (and justly too) against such unfair conduct, a mode of punish

ment is in contemplation against future offenders.

Lord Exeter's Redgauntlet, 8st. 2lb., beat Mr. Payne's Helenus, 8st. 7lb. The start and pace throughout were tremendously fast; but at the end, it became evident that the 5lbs. given might be safely taken off without danger to Redgauntlet.

Belzoni won the Second Class of the Oatlands rather cleverly, and is now within about 7lbs. of the horse he always promised to be, both this year and last: Protestant, a three-year-old, receiving 23lbs., close up to his heels, second: four others, all bad, and in bad places.

Mr. Irby's Toso, or rather Mr. Buckle on Toso, beat Mr. Payne's Babel, the latter giving 27lbs. All the latter part of the race Babel, though going her best pace, was held fast, while Toso, in appearance, ran a long way suffering severely under defeat: but Buckle contrived to reserve a little, and so thoroughly concealed it from his opponent, that in a well-chosen moment he so used it as to win the race.

A large field for the Town Plate of 501., the winner to be sold for 200gs. if claimed according to the conditions. Garnish won rather handsomely; Lionel Lincoln second: but respectable as he is, he did not claim the winner; neither did any of the rest that I have heard of, though it is said she had the honour of trying Mr. Thornhill's colt, and other good winners.

On FRIDAY, Lord Anson's Noureddin attempted to give the Duke of Richmond's Gulnare (the winner of the Oaks) 11lbs. for the year, but failed.

Mr. Greville tried to do the same with Dandelion against Oppidon, Brother to Colleger, giving 26lbs., with the same success- -the ground in the most perfect state for horses giving weight.

Renewal of the Prendergast Stakes of 50 sovs. each, twentyseven subscribers.-About twelve came to the post, making a splendid show, and, considering their ages, and a little lecturing on false starts, got off well together; Chiffney on Merchant, by Merlin, out of Quail, very soon took his favorite situation, rather in the rear of those contending with the most energy, watching as it were for the moment of their greatest distress, when he rushed by them without opposition, took the lead in the most gallant style, threatening with one hand certainly, but holding his horse under restraint by the other, and won with splendid superiority-Lord Exeter's Folly colt second; but, like the rest, without a chance, unless the Merchant had become bankrupt. Indeed, he was not considered solvent a few days before, besides having a bad cough.

We had the Frogmore Stakes (for a finish) of 100 sovs. each, thirteen subscribers. Three only came to the post. Espagnolle, the winner, took the lead, always to appearance with comfort to himself, and misery of his followers. Grampus ran a good horse, and a good second-Glenartney a bad third, and a great rogue.

The Nobility and Gentry remained with us to the last ; amongst them we remarked "Mr. Mathews at Home."

Yours, &c. Norfolk, Oct. 20, 1827.

OBSERVATOR,

THE Cricket season has closed with the match between Sus sex and Kent, with Saunders and Searle given. You doubtless are furnished with a statement of the game, and I need not trouble you with the full particulars. Sussex won by seven wickets, but they added nothing to their former fame. They brought into the field the strongest eleven they ever played-much stronger than that with which they played All England-whilst the Kent were astonishingly weak. Ashby, Mills the thrower, and Mr. Jenner, failed to attend, and their places were supplied by three gentlemen on the ground, who kindly did their best, but were found no very formidable opponents. Caldecott played in the room of another absentee, and in batting was a desirable acquisition. Throwing was the order of the day; but, on the part of Kent, there appeared no thrower or bowler, except Mr. George Knight. Searle, however, was tried, and luckily performed very well. Kent went in first, and obtained eighty-eight runs. Sussex headed them fifty-three runs. Searle and Caldecott then went in, and forty-one runs were scored without a wicket. This was the most interesting period of the game, there being a difference of only twelve runs, and Caldecott and Searle in fine batting. Dinner was then announced; and after dinner Searle and Caldecott soon lost their wickets, and with them all hope of a good match vanished. Nothing but the powerful play of Saunders could redeem the game, and he was bowled by Brown VOL, XXI. N. S.-No. 122.

just as he had begun his brilliant hitting. Sussex were put in the last innings for forty-eight runs, of which twenty-three were got by W. Broadbridge, who ought to have been caught by Mr. Dyke soon after he went in. Some other chances were missed, and the fielding of Kent, upon the whole, was bad. Many were very stiff and slow in getting to the ball; and their inactivity was obvious, even contrasted with the Sussex, who may be characterised as hard, steady, and veteran-like players, but mostly destitute of the life and buoyancy of spirit which enable men to accomplish wonders in the field.

It is in fielding that gentlemen ought to be superlatively excellent; and though some of the most splendid players of the day are of that class, it is grievous to know that the majority of gentlemen field badly; and for this reason, principally, that in practice their whole attention is devoted to batting, instead of being equally divided between that and fielding. None can excel in fielding that are not fond of it for its own sake.

It is a singular circumstance, that Lillywhite did not hit a wicket during the whole match, nor was the wicket at which he threw hit by either of the other side.

I must now make a few remarks on the system of throwing, which has been acted on so much this season, and which Mr. G. Knight and a few others wish permanently continued. At present you are aware it is not allowed by the articles of cricket, and I have yet heard no sufficient reason for its introduction.

It is agreed that the game is now generally too long; and, it is B

said, it would be curtailed by the throwing. This I do not admit. I think fewer runs would be ob tained, but that the game, after a time, would be equally long. I consider it would engender a stiff, tame, cautious mode of play, with only now and then a mow, or a chopping hit. The fine lively scientific hitting would be lost. There would be comparatively no cutting to the point or slip; no turning to hit to the leg (for a thrown ball shoots too quickly); and no driving forward.

I have bestowed much pains in learning the sentiments of not only performers but cricket spectators, and I venture to assert that nine-tenths of the cricket world are against the proposed alteration of the existing rule.

The Marylebone Club are look ed up to as the legislators in cricket; their authority has never hitherto been disputed; and if they mean to preserve their power and influence, let them, like other wise law-givers, respect the feelings of their subjects.

Introduce throwing, and threefourths of the present lovers of cricket will cease to have an interest in the game. They will be unable to appreciate a style of play they have never learned; and with those advanced in years, it will cease to revive recollections of their youthful days, and will produce nothing but disappointment and disgust. The County of Sussex, from throwing being allowed, has attained a celebrity it never before acquired; but, even there, the feeling is decidedly against the system.

Those who excel in throwing naturally wish the system success; and among these must be reck oned Mr. G. Knight, a very power

ful supporter: but he is too liberal, I trust, to force down the throats of the public what is nauseous and revolting, merely because it happens to suit his palate; and I am sure his zeal, activity, science, and manliness, will ensure him a sufficient reputation as a cricket player, without resort being had to a system in which he may shine for a time, but where he may be eclipsed next year by many men who know nothing of the principle of cricket, who could never distinguish themselves in a legitimate way, but who may chance to discover a happy knack of throwing a ball.

Of this I am satisfied, that if throwing be allowed, there will be not more than half a dozen grounds in the kingdom where cricket can with safety be played; and very many members of the Marylebone Club (though they keep to their own ground) will, with shattered limbs, have to deplore the alteration in the law: for let them not suppose they have yet had a fair trial of the throwing, although Beagley and others were invalided at the last Sussex and All England match. The wolf has hitherto appeared in sheep'sclothing, in order that alarm might not be excited.

When throwing is once established, Broadbridge and others will shew that they cannot be faced on hard ground without the most imminent peril. I despise danger as much as any man, and have no anxiety on my own account-though I confess it would not be pleasant to receive an injury in the month of May that would deprive me of all play for the remainder of the season-but there are many men to whom broken fingers, straight joints, &c

might prove of the most serious consequence. That the players, or professors as they are now ridiculously enough termed, are against the system, is evinced by the declaration published in your July Number. Of that declaration I disapprove, and I am happy to find it never was intended for publication.

The All England match was purely experimental, and not subject to the rules of cricket as far as concerned bowling. This the players understood, and they acted upon the understanding by playing the first two matches; but when taunted they forgot this, and signed the declaration, but nover authorized its publication; they afterwards saw their error, and made a proper acknowledgment to Mr. Kingscote, the maker of the match, one of their best friends.

I believe, Mr. Editor, you concur with me in hoping that throwing will not be allowed: rather widen or heighten the wickets, which would induce freedom of play; or even, if necessary, admit the straight-armed bowling, allowing it to go as high as the shoulder, so that the back of the hand be kept under when the ball is delivered. But the best remedy that I can suggest is, to begin the game at nine o'clock, instead of eleven or twelve, and the grandest matches would then be disposed of in two days, in fine weather.-I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

A LOVER OF CRICKET.

SNIPE AND GROUSE SHOOTING. SIR,

BEING encouraged by your in

vitation to Lovers of the Trigger" (in the last October Num

ber) to send any practical hints on shooting, I beg to offer these few observations; for, if nothing more, I think I may without danger style myself a lover of the sport.

Your correspondent BOGTROTTER, amongst his thoughts on snipe shooting, says, that snipes ought always to be sought for down wind, in which respect I cannot agree with him; for, undoubtedly, if they have the wind in their favour, their flight must be greatly assisted by it, and also the noise of your approach must reach them much sooner. The great scarcity of birds of this description to what is remembered twentyfive years ago, is much to be lamented, arising not only from the draining of land, but undoubtedly from the increased number of shooters in this improving age. But enough of snipes.

It has struck me as to the breeding of grouse, that frequently the prevalence of bad windy weather during the first ten days' shooting, makes sportsmen imagine it a bad year, when that is not really the case; for no sort of shooting depends so much on the weather as that of grouse; and, from the exposed situations in which they are found, the wind of course has much greater power, and the birds in consequence of it are continually on the run, never lying still as on a quiet fine day. When grouse shooting in windy weather, the only chance you have is, directly your dog points to make a large circle, so as to get the birds between you and him; but frequently, even if you do this, the birds rise a couple of hundred yards off, perhaps unseen by any of the party, who consequently imagine the dog is to blame for making a false point.