and legends. Sherwood's goodly trees have disappeared-and the stout earls of the North no longer "to drive the deer with hound and horn" lead their "bowmen bold" to the debateable coverts of Chevy Chace.

The Archery Meetings, or Bow Meetings, as they are variously called, at present established in this country, are, so far as our knowledge extends, a national peculiarity. We have seen our horse-racing imitated, however imperfectly, in Germany, France, America, and even India, but they have, as yet, been imitated no where. In these days of refinement, when the recreations of the wealthier orders are too often luxurious and enervating, and when their semi-foreign habits of life have too much estranged them from the interchange of domestic hospitalities, we hail with pleasure a rural and elegant amusement, having a strong tendency to correct both these evils. It is a curious, but well-ascertained fact, that these meetings are in some degree merely a revival of the customs of former times. Our forefathers made a law, and an admirable one it was, that in every parish, or hundred, as might be convenient, a certain portion of ground should be set apart for the practice of archery, and a butt and target erected at the public expense. It accorded well with the manly and warlike character of the people, and old chroniclers tell us that it was a favorite pastime among the young and active peasantry on holydays, or on a summer's evening, when their hours of labour were past. Does not this circumstance let us into one grand secret of the superiority of British bowmen over all their competitors? It also in some measure accounts for the wonderful rapidity with which effective armies were raised and brought into the field during the wars of York and Lancaster, and other periods of trouble in England. When the spirit of a proud people is aroused by a call upon their honor, or even by a favorite war-cry, it is not difficult to bring them en masse into action; but no such armies could have been raised in such a space of time, had not the arts of military life been much cultivated throughout the land.

It is highly honorable to the natives of this island that, even when little more than semi-barbarians, they disdained to use the poisoned arrow, after the fashion of some more civilized eastern nations. Indeed the same may be said, generally speaking, of all the different states in the quarter of the globe of which Britain forms so distinguished a part, and it is one of the finest illustrations of the European character. A few exceptions may be found, but exceptions should be thrown into the shade in all great national pictures.

However, in what we have hitherto written, as in the speeches of old Nestor, it may be observed that too much has been said about the past, and too little about the present. To those who may have never chanced to witness such a thing, a brief description of a modern

Archery Meeting may not be uninteresting. There may be various regulations and obser vances in the many established throughout the country, but, in the leading and most essential points, they are nearly alike. A sufficient number of members having first been elected, the meetings occur at stated intervals, during the season of the year favorable to such amusements.

Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum, says the proverb, and it is not every one that can conveniently give an Archery Meeting. Two things are indispensable-a fortune able to bear the expense, and a park, or other grounds, favorable to the purpose; and such members as are without these advantages are not expected to give one. A uniform is appointed, which is always (to our knowledge) green, but may vary in minor points according to the caprice of fashion or of taste; and those members who do not appear in it are fined. It is this costume that chiefly imparts the characteristic and beautiful appearance to the scene, which it must be allowed to possess, especially if laid in some wild and romantic park. It is then and there that the lover of antiquity might muse on ancestral times, and fancy that they were again about to return.

Prizes, proportionate to the funds of the society, and as appropriate as the good taste of the directing party can make them, are prepared for the occasion; there being different ones, of course, for the male and female archers. Of themselves alone they are not of any great value, but, by the glory attached to them, they become, like the monarch's glove to Fluellin, doubly and trebly enhanced in the estimation of those who obtain them.

Every thing being prepared, they who have the direction of affairs give the signal to commence; and we may say with the poet-Protinus Æneas celeri certare sagittâ Invitat, qui forte velint, et praenia ponit :

The distance at which the gentlemen shoot is one hundred yards-that of the ladies sixty; and the skill with which the latter frequently acquit themselves shows that Queen Bess was not the only Englishwoman who could "draw a long bow." Sometimes, during the pastime, the company are enlivened by the music of an attending band. When the sports are ended, the judges declare aloud the names of the winners of the prizes, who receive them on the field, according to the true principles of chivalry. To prevent any mistake, the arrows of every one should bear some particular mark or motto, that they may be distinguished when in the target; else it would be very difficult, if not sometimes impossible, to declare the victors. The evening is generally concluded by a ball, which need only be mentioned as differing from other balls with respect to the costume of the assembled party; but that circumstance gives to it a very unique and pleasing appearance.

Such are the leading features of a modern Bow meeting. Of course, as in all such out

of-door amusements, much depends upon the weather; but, when that is favorable, it may easily be conceived to be a scene of much pleasure and animation. It moreover possesses the advantage of being one of those morning amusements, of which the gentler sex can partake, without in the slightest degree infringing upon the rules of elegance and strict propriety. Though admirers of the chase ourselves, we quite agree with the poet when he counsels the British fair against

The cap, the whip, the masculine attire,

In which they roughen to the sense, and all
The winning softness of their sex is lost.

But the female archer does not come under the lash of such satire. The ancient Greeks, who well knew what arts of life accorded best with feminine grace and purity, disdained not to paint Diana with the quiver upon her shoulder, and the bow in her hand; and Virgil, when describing the magnificence with which Queen Dido was attired for the hunt, tells us that she wore a golden quiver. Indeed, the very act of discharging the arrow from the bow, to be done properly, must be done gracefully.

The chief natural requisites for shooting well, we should describe to be a quick and steady eye, and a quick and steady hand. The proper position in which the bow should be held and its string drawn back, which cannot well be shown upon paper, having been acquired, art and experience have to instruct the archer, first, to point the arrow in a direct line; and secondly, to elevate it according to the distance of the mark, and the strength of the bow. One thing should be most particularly attended to -that the strength of the bow be well adapted to the strength of the arm that has to bend it. The command of Richard to his army on Bosworth field, "Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head," was in the true language

of an able warrior. It is also essential that the arrow should be drawn to its head with a steady hand, which is not likely to be the case if the bow require more strength than the arm can conveniently give; and the consequence of which is, that the shaft is apt to swerve from the direct line, and fly unsteadily. On the other hand, if a bow of great power is not beyond the strength of the archer, it is the most effective, as the arrow may then be shot horizontally to a greater distance, and is, consequently, likelier to hit the target than when it requires to be much elevated.

Archery, however, is an art, and, like all other arts, requires practice to reach perfection; and thus, while surprise and admiration are often raised by some of the most expert, laughter frequently follows the attempts of the uuskilful, who are generally new hands, and who, like the suitors of Penelope, sometimes make sad failures. Let the novice bear in mind the saying of Xenophon-that it was "downright impiety for such as had never learned to ride, to supplicate the Gods for

victory in engagements of horse; or for such as had never learned the use of the bow, to ask the superiority at that weapon over those who understood it."

Of course, the point of an arrow formed merely for amusement, is very differently constructed from such as were used in warfare, but the effect even of the former, when welí shot, is such as few unacquainted with it would be likely to imagine. We remember to have seen one, that, having missed the target, and struck against a strong tin quiver lying near, drove its point right through. Due precautions against accident are therefore needful, but the arrangements are generally so good, that we never heard of the slightest unpleasant circumstance of the kind. Those who are sceptical about the force of an arrow, and we have heard some who are, might soon be undeceived by witnessing it. The effeminate courtier, in the play, may tell Harry Percy that

We look

During the last few years these meetings have been much upon the increase. upon it as a good omen. Any innocent recreation, tending to encourage good fellowship in a neighbourhood, is beneficial in many respects, but is in none more so than in the opposing influence which it possesses with the gay and inconsiderate, against the fascinations of a continental residence. We would rather see our youth, beauty and chivalry, enjoying themselves upon their native green sward, or shaded by the wide-spreading foliage of the aboriginal oak, than revelling in Parisian saloons, or amidst the midnight carnivals of Italy. Let those who choose decry, as did the partisans of Cromwell, the unoffending amusements of the different orders of society, as immoral and ungodly. We are not of that class, but rather agree with Mr. Burke, when he says that "to make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely;" and are unphilosophical enough to believe that those a.musements, especially if hallowed by time, are esteemed at a higher rate by the people, and have a happier tendency on the general mind, than sophists, or political economists, may write down in their tablets.

DOINGS AND SAYINGS IN THE PRIZE RING

TOM GAYNOR AND NED NEAL..

The rain came down in torrents all the morning, but notwithstanding the ardour of the Fancy could not, and would not, be damped by "the pitiless pelting showers ;" and if the road did not display numerous barouches, drags, &c., as a May-day morning, neverthe

less, most of the old ring-goers came out to witness the mill. The turnpikes of course had a turn; the innkeepers were busy; the blunt changed masters; and the penny was turned to a good account. The battle between Neal and Gaynor took place on Tuesday, March 15th, 1831, in the same field where Neal defeated the great gun (Tom Cannon), called Warfield, in the parish of Wingfield, Berkshire. At one o'clock, NEAL, attended by Spring and Young Sam, threw his hat into the ring, and was received with loud shouts of approbation he walked up leisurely, and, in the most composed manner, tied his blue fogle to the stakes. GAYNOR soon afterwards made

his appearance, and shied his tile also within the ropes--waited upon by Harry Holt, and the lively kid (Ned Stockman), when the yellowman was tied to the blue emblem. Curtis was to have undertaken the office of bottleholder to Gaynor; but, as he said, a violent attack of the screw-matics prevented him. Simon Byrne was also expected to have acted as second to Neal; but as he did not appear, Josh. Hudson was mentioned; neither of the above boxers was on the ground. Neal was decidedly the favorite at 5 and 6 to 4, previous to setting to. Tom Cannon observed to Neal, "this is your lucky ground, but it is softer to-day." On Gaynor entering the ring, Neal went up to him, asked him how he did, and shook hands with him. The spot selected for the ring was perfectly dry the office was given for the men to peel; when the battle commenced.

ROUND 1. Neal looked remarkably well, his condition was good, and owing to the renovating effects of training, no traces were visible of his recent battle with Sam: his weight was nearly the same, 12 stone 3 lbs. On being asked the question, Neal replied, "he had not been to scale since his las. ught.' Gaynor astonished his friends and backers by the improvement his frame had undergone in the course of a few weeks, by his careful attention to regimen and exercise; he had also completely shaken-off all the up-all-night appearances of a Lush-crib in the heart of the metropolis-the waste-butt sort of thing-the nails in the coffin, and the general stale appearance connected with the character of a fighting man and a London Landlord. Tom had made the best use of his time: he entered the ring slap up to the mark, confident of success, and made up his mind to nothing else but winning. The attitudes of the men were excellent; the stakes were high; the combatants were perfectly aware of each other's milling talents, and both were determined not to give half a chance away. It was therefore caution, extreme CAUTION, and CAUTION to the very echo. They dodge each other, kept a good look out, and both prepared for any opening that might offer. Ned hopped from any thing like mischief as quick as a squirrel; and Gaynor jumped out of danger like a posture-master. Several minutes occurred, when

Gaynor rubbed his hands, as if tired of doing nothing. At the expiration of Fifteen minutes, Tom put down his hands, and stood completely still, smiling [Applause]. Gaynor at length made an offer, but Neal got away. "Wake him up," said Stockman, "and let Ned know he is in the ring." Twenty-two minutes had now expired, and not a blow struck. "Go to work," from all parts of the ring. Thirty-five minutes, and nothing like mischief, when Gaynor let fly with his right hand, which was beautifully stopped by Neal [Applause]. The spectators were almost tired with watching the movements of the combatants-the caution observed on both sides was so excessive. Neal hit out, when Gaynor stopped the blow capitally. Ned also followed his opponent up in the corner, and made himself up for mischief-when the peepers of the crowd were on the stretch expecting smashing work; but it not appearing exactly safe to Neal, he retreated backwards, to the great disappointment of his friends. FORTY-THREE MINUTES had elapsed, when Gaynor, as if worn out with attitudinising, made play with his right hand, which was immediately returned by Neal; several blows were exchanged; and, in closing, Neal tried to fib his adversary; the struggle for the throw was severe on both sides, but Gaynor obtained it. Both down, but Neal undermost.

2. Nothing the matter, but beth ready for the attack. After a little dodging, Neal followed up Gaynor to the ropes, but missed a tremendous right-handed blow, which, if it had touched the listener of Gaynor, might have altered the state of affairs. In closing, Gaynor was extremely active with his mauleys: Neal was by no means idle, and the fibbing system was adopted on both sides, until Neal went down. Great shouting. "The Queen's Head," said Stockman, "shall now be the King's Head-we shall win it without a scratched face; and I'll crown my man with laurels."

3. The left eye of Gaynor was touched a little. "Look," said Sam, "at the mouse!" "Never mind," replied the lively kid, 66 your man will soon smell a rat. You ought not to have brought the man here. You took the fight out of him! But he is ready made to our hands." Neal stopped a rum one aimed at his nob, and Gaynor also got out of mischief. The latter hit Neal on his ribs, and Ned returned slightly. Caution on both sides. Gaynor ran in, and in closing, after a most desperate struggle, got Ned down. Lots of applause for the hero of the Queen's Head. During the half minute while Gaynor was sitting on his second's knee, Spring exclaimed— "First blood!" pointing to Gaynor's mouth; this was most vehemently disputed by Holt, but to us a very slight tinge of cluret appeared on Gaynor's ivories.

4. This was a short round. three blows, Neal went down.

After two or Gaynor sung

out- "Take notice, the first knock-down blow!" This was denied by the seconds of the opposite party-but no opinion is of any value to decide the event as to betting, except the umpires and referee.

5. Both down-Gaynor uppermost.

6. The face of Neal looked red, but nothing more. He stopped, in a most scientific style, two hits. Exchanges, when Gaynor laughed, and pointed at his opponent-indicating he did not value his attempts. In closing, Neal struggled violently to obtain the throw, but Gaynor, who is a first-rate wrestler, got Neal down. Loud shouting. The claret was visible enough on the top of Neal's nose.

7. The left hand of Neal told on his opponent's mug, when he ran in and caught hold of Gaynor so tightly, that, in spite of the struggles of the latter, Neal positively lifted nim off the ground and threw him so heavily as to be pronounced almost a burster. 7 to 4 on Neal.

8, 9. These rounds were decidedly in favor of Neal. He touched Tom upon some of the old places, the scars of former brave contests, and the claret was seen trickling down his iron heek. But he was as game as a pebble. In closing, both down.

10. The science of both of the men was much admired, and the stops on both sides were of the first character of the Art of Self-Defence. Gaynor retreated from mischief, and Neal took care of himself. The strength of the latter was here manifested in a great degree; he again got Gaynor off his legs-threw him on the ground with severity enough to take the fight out of any one-Gaynor's head made a dent in the ground. "Bravo, Neal-he must win it he has too much wear-and-tear for Gaynor." Two to one.

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. These rounds were like the former; they partook more of wrestling than milling; and although Neal was decidedly the favorite, the old ring-goers and his immediate friends perceived that his energies were on the wane; he did not, as heretofore in his former battles, go right up to his opponent's head, and fight with him; in fact, he was too cautious, and retreated at times when he might have done some severe execution. During some of these rounds 3 to 1 had been laid on Neal.

17. Gaynor, although piping, was confident, and in a masterly style he threw Neal. Great applause, and "well done, Gaynor."

18. The men were now on their mettle, and milling was the order of the round. Some sharp hits occurred between them. Gaynor's nob showed the handy-work of his opponent, and the left peeper of Ned was considerably damaged, and put on the winking list. Gaynor ran after Neal, but Ned was not to be had. Both down. One hour and a quarter had elapsed.

19. This was one of the best rounds in the fight; and, as the Sage of the East would have said, had he but seen the men, the lookers

on had the best of it. They stood up to each other well-exchanging hits-the caret on both their mugs, until both down. "Well done, on both sides," and applause from all parts of the ring.

20, 21, 22. Neal stood well on his pinshis wind was also good--and the general opinion entertained round the ring was, that ne must win; in fact, the Neal-ites could not Lay out their blunt, no takers were, except in a few slight instances, to be met with. Gaynor undermost in both of these rounds.

23. This was a truly distressing round to Tom, and, after some blows were exchanged between them, Ned, by the dint of strength, threw Gaynor, who fell upon his head, and Neal went down upon him. Harry Holt, a capital second at all times, never exerted himself more to bring up his man clean and well than he did throughout the fight; he placed Gaynor's head right-indeed it was almost out of place, so great was the shock he had received. "It will soon be over-it is as right as a trivet-how can Neal lose it?" from the Blue Fogle party. "By de powers of Moll Kelly," said a Patlander, “do dat again for me, Ned, and you shall have all the four Misses with £2000 per annum, for your wives; and I'll give you the ould widow into the bargain."

24. Gaynor came to the scratch a tiny bit groggy-with bellows to mend-but nevertheless his game was the delight of all the spectators. He sparred a short time for wind -when he made play, and some hits were exchanged. In closing, he threw Neal. The applause was great, and "we don't know what to make of it.'

25. Short.

most.

Both down. Gaynor under

26, 27, 28, 29. Although the friends of Neal had made up their minds, at this period of the fight, that he must win the battle, they did not approve of his fondness to obtain the throws-they were aware it must ultimately tear him to pieces. He now and then made use of his left hand, which told on the mug of his opponent; but, in general, the defensive mode was too prominent: it wanted more of the fighting character. Both down in these rounds, after severe struggles for the falls.

30. Short. Exchanges. Both down. 31. Neal commenced fighting, and Gaynor stood well up to him; counter hits, and not light ones. Both down.

32. Gaynor planted a severe facer. "Bravo! that's the way, Tom," said Stockman, "He don't like it; two more of the same sort wili do the trick-and I'll order a diamond necklace from my jeweller's on Ludgate hill, for the Queen's Head-I always patronize merit." Ned drove Gaynor to the ropes, where they were hanging on for a short period, until both down.

33. Again at the ropes, when Neal held fast by one of the stakes, and ultimately threw Gaynor on his head. Neal uppermost

34. Gaynor endeavoured to serve out Neal, but he escaped from punishment, and went down. "Take your man out of the ring," said Curtis to Holt, "you have won it." Ned went down without a blow. The Pet was very attentive to the battle-watching every movement, with his ticker in his hand, to see the time kept correctly, and how long the battle lasted.

35. Nothing the matter in this round. Both down.

36. This was a fighting round. Ned's peeper was almost closed; but, nevertheless, his backers were quite sanguine as to the termination of the battle. Both their mugs were clareted. Tom was terribly distressed, but he was not down upon his luck. In closing, both down, Gaynor undermost.

37. Gaynor planted another facer, and was following it up, when Neal went down. "He's as dead as a house," said Stockman. "You are wrong, my lively kid,” replied a Patlander, "Ned is as strong as a Hercules, and will soon put on the polish, honey."

38, 39. The appearance of Neal's mug, excepting his nearly darkened peeper, did not show much punishment; and his wind was good. In closing, the fibbing system was resorted to, and Gaynor had none the worst of it. Both down. The friends of Gaynor were now on the qui vive. He'll win it now! "Win it!" said Reuben Martin, "How can Tom lose it? Neal is as slow as a top; it will soon be over.".

40, 41, 42. To the spectators in general, Ned appeared fresh and strong enough to fight for half an hour longer; but one of his immediate friends, also a backer, and a near relative of Neal's, said in a sort of whisper-a sighing kind of ejaculation-upon perceiving an alteration in his countenance for the worse, By J-s, the battle's lost!' Gaynor reviving, made play, planted two hits; exchanges, and Ned down.

43, and Last. On coming to the scratch, Ned, as usual, made himself up for milling, but on Gaynor's attempting to plant a hit, he retreated to the ropes. Tom followed him, and in closing, Gaynor threw Neal, which gave the latter a sort of twist in his neck, and likewise fell on him. Upon Spring and Sam picking up Neal, he was insensible; and although the ex-champion pulled his head on one side, and the young phenomenon on the other, Ned could not be waked, and was deaf to the call of time. Gaynor jumped for joy, and received the shouts of the spectators as the conqueror, and the congratulations of his friends. The battle continued for ONE HOUR AND FIFTY-ONE MINUTES. Gaynor walked to his barouche and four, when the yellow fogle was soon hoisted over the fallen blue bird's eye out of the window, and the prads went off at a smart rate for Shirley's, his trainer, at Egham; while, on the contrary, Ned was carried to his vehicle, and conveyed with the utmost speed to Sunning Hill, at

tended by his seconds, put to bed, and bled by a medical man, to make "all right." Ned complained of his right shoulder. Gaynor went to bed at Egham for a couple of hours, and then started for town, where he arrived at the Queen's Head, Duke's Court, Bow Street, about nine o'clock. His house was overflowing with company to hail his return; and also a complete mob outside the doors.

OBSERVATIONS.

Neal may now say, in the words of Shakspeare, "A pox on both your houses!" in allusion to Sam and Gaynor, or perhaps the phrase might be more appropriate" between you both, I have been bothered out of my fighting qualities!-I have lost my fair fame, and terminated my milling career as a losing man !" According to his intimate friends and backers, having Two matches on at once proved rather too much for his mind-after his severe defeat by Sam-having only eight clear weeks, or fifty-six days, to get over the mortifying recollection of his loss of glory, and to appear again at the scratch, fighting his man £300 to £200. To say the least of it, the match was ill judged; but the fault did not rest with Neal! his backers made the match without consulting him, and he would not let them forfeit their deposits. Indeed, so confident was he of success, that he put down £200 of his own money towards the stakes. But the truth must be told; and, to sum up in little, Ned is nothing like so good a man as heretofore; he wants energy; his fighting points have left him; his perception is nothing like so acute, as in his previous battles, to seize upon an opening likely to lead to victory, after the manner of a Nelson, or a Wellington, and to turn it to a successful account. His determination, resolution, game, fortitude, gluttony, bottom, or DEVIL, whichever the reader likes best, does not now attach to his once warlike pugilistic character. He does not like to be a receirer-it does not suit his constitution. Owing to the above circumstances he lost his fight with Sam! But

it ought never to be forgotten by the fancy, and the milling coves in general, “THAT HE HAS DONE THE RING SOME SERVICE, AND THEY KNOW IT !" He never did wrong; and his conduct as a boxer was always straight forward. Out of EIGHTEEN BATTLES in the Prize Ring, four times only he experienced defeat.

Respecting the conqueror, TOM GAYNOR, as a scientific fighter, he is well known and respected; and as a game man he must be admired. His caution in the early part of the battle proved his sound judgment towards obtaining victory. Gaynor only weighed 11 stone 3lb., a stone less than his opponent; it will be admitted that caution became necessary-and he was perfectly aware that, towards the latter part of the fight, gameness was essential-nay, without it he could not have proved the conqueror. We are extremely