time, before the present police force came into operation? What would the water-poet, that renowned king of scullers of 1630, John Taylor, have said had he lived in the present period-he that was wont to boast that he often ferried the immortal Shakspeare from Whitehall to Paris Garden, or his cotemporary Ben Jonson from the Bankside to the Rose and Hope playhouses? His tirade against coaches, then but lately introduced, would have been a joke to what it would now be, with the modern importation of cabs, 'busses, steamboats, tunnels, and bridges. The poor water-poet must have drowned himself in his own element, for see what a picture he drew even then of the fearful calamity that assailed his trade: "I do not inveigh," says honest John, against any conveyances that belong to persons of worth or quality, but only against the catterpillar swarm of hirelings. They have undone my poor trade whereof I am a member; and though I look for no reformation, yet I expect the benefit of an old proverb- Give the losers leave to speak.' This infernal swarm of trade-spillers (coaches) have so overrun the land that we can get no living upon the water; for I dare truly affirm that every day in any term, especially if the court be at Whitehall, they do rob us of our livings, and carry five hundred and sixty fares daily from us. I pray you look into the streets and the chambers or lodgings in Fleet-street or the Strand, how they are festered with them, especially after a mask or play at the court, where even the very earth quakes and trembles, the casements chatter, patter and clatter, and such a confused noise is made, so that a man can neither sleep, speak, hear, write, or cat his dinner or supper quiet for them." To return to our boating. Despite of the river annoyances, the Oxford and Cambridge University Clubs, the Westminster, Etonian, and Harrowians, still continue to contend for the aquatic championship of the river; and there is a variety of cups and prizes still given, not forgetting Doggett's coat and badge, for the Thames watermen. Perhaps one of the most sporting aquatic events that ever took place was the grand four-oared match for 1,000 sovs. between the Arrow and the Guards Club, July, 1829. The gentlemen selected from the former club were :— Mr. Slater (stroke oar) Mr. Cannon Mr. Bavford Mr. Osbaldeston Mitchell, of Strand Lane (cockswain). From what the watermen called the "Sodjer Officer" Club :- After a most determined struggle, in which both of the crews evinced the greatest pluck and judgment, the Arrow men won by about fifty seconds. In the same year a match took place between the Eton and Westminster scholars for 100 sovs. a side, and upon which considerable sums of money changed hands by the result; the Marquis of Waterford pulled stroke in the Eton boat, his lordship's crew winning by many BE boats' length. The Oxford and Cambridge men, too, had a struggle in Henley Reach, which came off in favour of the former. In this year another sporting event came off on the river, namely, a grand rowing match, for 200 sovs., between the Squire (Osbaldeston), with Mitchell, of Strand Lane; and Captain Bentinck, of the Guards, with Cobb, of Whitehall; the terms, to row a pair of oars from Vauxhall to Kew Bridge. At the word "off" being given, Mr. Osbaldeston's boat shot half a length a-head; the boats remained in this position until within a few yards of Battersea Bridge, when the Captain laid out, and the boats were about even; soon after the church had been passed the opponents changed places, and from this point the gallant guardsman continued to gain, finally winning the match by four minutes and a half. A wonderful feat took place in September, of the same year, when Messrs. Bishop and Horneman accomplished the undertaking of rowing with a pair of oars from London Bridge to Gravesend, up to Richmond Bridge, and down to Westminster (a distance of nearly 100 miles), in the short space of thirteen hours and thirty-five minutes, being an hour and twentyfive minutes within the time of the wager. What made this exploit so wonderful was that from Gravesend to Erith Reach they had a heavy sca and a "dead noser," which nearly water-logged the boat. In 1830 a most extraordinary match against time was made by a very distinguished amateur, F. Cresswell, Esq., for 50 sovs., that he and William Lewis, a waterman of Old Swan Stairs, would row in a Thames wherry from Billingsgate down to Gravesend, up through Richmond Bridge, and down to the Old Swan, in thirteen hours and a half. Considerable excitement was created among the sporting "gents" of that day, many of whom we trust are alive and merry, and at starting the odds were two to one in favour of time. Exactly at half-past five o'clock upon a summer's morning the " parties" started from that most "fishy" spot-Billingsgate, attended by the umpires in a six-oared cutter. The day was calm, although it rained heavily for some time, and the tide in their favour almost the whole of the way to Gravesend, they turned without landing, and thus availed themselves of the flowing tide in coming up the river; at twenty minutes past twelve, they passed up through London Bridge, and at three went through Richmond Bridge, and turned down the river, still without stopping; about Sion House the tide was again favourable, the ebb having then commenced, and such was the "pluck" of the gallant men that they arrived at the Old Swan Stairs at twenty minutes past five, thus winning the match by an hour and forty minutes. The distance rowed was ninety-six miles. We cannot conclude this article on boating without giving an account of the celebrated Oxford and London match. The grand rowing-match from Oxford to London in sixteen consecutive hours came off May 12th, 1824, and it is only justice to the gentlemen by whose skill, exertion, and manly perseverance the arduous task was accomplished, to say that it was a feat never equalled in the annals of aquatic sports. The wager was made between Sir John Burgoyne, Bart., and the late Colonel Standen. The terms of the match were as follows:-That six officers of the 3rd Guards should row in a six-oared wherry from Oxford to London in sixteen consecutive hours. The crew consisted of Captain Short, Hon. J. Westenra, Douglas, Blane, and Hudson, who, with Colonel Standen, made the sixth. The rowers to choose their own cockswains, and time to be kept by watches previously wound in Oxford and London. The boat in which the wager was to be contended for was built for the purpose by Mr. Sullivan, of Millbank, after the plan of the Marquis of Worcester's (the present Duke of Beaufort) "Fancy," a boat remarkable for its speed. The wager arose from a bet made by Lord Newry, about seventeen months before, that he would row the same distance in eighteen hours with five of his servants trained for that purpose. Some dispute arose as to his winning his match, but on a chronometer being sent down to Oxford he was declared to have won by one minute, having had wind, tide, and everything in his favour. Not only Sir John Burgoyne, but most of the knowing ones, as well as the amateurs of the (aqua) fancy," and the members of the majority of the river clubs, were ready to offer three and four to one against the accomplishment of the wager. It was decided that the above-mentioned should be the day for the decision of the match, and application was made by Colonel Standen and his friends to the Commissioners of the locks between Oxford and London for their assistance in clearing the bells and pans, and supplying plenty of water as they passed through; this was readily granted, and through the arrangements made by the Commissioners nearly half an hour was gained by the rowers. On Tuesday morning the gallant crew arrived at Oxford, retired early to bed, and gave orders to be called at two, intending to start precisely at three. By a quarter before three they were attired in their aquatic costume--blue-striped shirts, crimson neckcloths, and white hats. They took in a little aqua vitæ and some sandwiches, and at one minute past three o'clock their cockswain, Isaac King. gave the word "All's ready," and the rowers letting fall their oars, amidst the cheers of great numbers of persons the wherry cleft the stream, and bore away towards its destination at the rate of above eight miles the hour. On the wherry arriving at Bolter's Lock, Maidenhead (half-way), it was half-past eleven o'clock; half an hour had been lost by the wind freshing to the east, and the squally weather. Here, James Cannon, the second cockswain, was taken on board, and by many "a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether," the wherry reached Windsor Bridge by one o'clock. No time was lost; although every man on board was fatigued, they pushed on with a most determined resolution, and notwithstanding great difficulties, owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, they arrived at Teddington Lock by half-past five o'clock. In Teddington Lock they took refreshments, and the spirits of the gallant crew were raised very much by the arrival of a number of their London friends in wherries and skiffs, who cheered them loudly upon their having thus far so successfully accomplished their object. Thomas Hill, the third cockswain, was here taken on board; and considering the wind was in their teeth, and the weather foul and contrary, they performed wonders. It was half-past five when they left Teddington Lock, and upon their arrival at Putney Bridge it was exactly six o'clock. At this moment Father Thames presented an unusual scene of gaiety, the river was covered with the members of the different aquatic clubs. From Teddington to Westminster Bridge two eight-oared guard-boats cleared the way for the wherry, and but for the cheering of the spectators, which excited the liveliest emulation amongst the rowers, it is thought they would have sunk under the excessive exertion, and have lost their wager almost in sight of port. The umpire, Colonel Meyrick, took his station on Westminster Bridge at six o'clock. The craft on the river, the bridges, stairs, and wharfs, from which there was a view of Whitehall Stairs, the appointed landing place, were crowded with spectators. Several of the Bow Street patrol (for the new police were not then in existence) were placed in Whitehall Stairs to preserve the peace, and to assist in the debarkation. At half-past six o'clock the wherry arrived at Battersea Bridge, the rowers completely knocked up, some of them almost bent double, and all of them much distressed. The tide was now in their favour, and, having taken a little brandy, they appeared determined to conquer or die; and at a quarter before seven o'clock they arrived at Westminster Bridge, amidst the acclamations of thousands of spectators, and Mr. Sullivan, the boat-builder, towed them to Whitehall Stairs. They declared they should have arrived one hour sooner if the wind had been in their favour. The distance from Oxford to Westminster Bridge is one hundred and eighteen miles, and was accomplished in fifteen hours and three quarters. The original wager was £200, but no less a sum than £15,000 changed owners upon this occasion! We now approach that truly English pastime Cricket, and we can have it in perfection from London, for, independent of Lord's ground, almost all the good matches take place within distance by rail of the metropolis. This is an amusement which brings all ranks to a level— the peer and the peasant-the landlord and the labourer. In an old Irish newspaper we find that a grand match of cricket was played on Saturday, the 4th July, 1810, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, between the Lord Lieutenant, his Grace the Duke of Richmond, and the officers of the 7th Light Dragoons The vice-regal party consisted of the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Frankfort, Colonel Rogers, Mr. Norcott, and several of his Grace's servants; the other party, of the officers and privates of the 7th or Paget's Hussars. After a good deal of sport the match was won by the latter. What would the inhabitants of Dublin now think of a game of cricket between the Lord Lieutenant and a crack Hussar regiment? Alas! political agitation and injustice to Ireland have put an end to all intercourse between the people and the higher classes ! The humours of Donnybrook fair, where, according to the old song "Pat met with his friend, and for love knocked him down," have given way to waylayings and murders. Sincerely do we trust that a better order of government may restore peace and harmony to the Emerald Isle. To resume. Within the last twenty years this manly game seems to have greatly extended its influence, and clubs are now established in almost every county of England. Lord's ground, thanks to Lords and Commons, is highly patronized, and matches take place there which cannot be equalled in all England. According to the statement made at the annual meeting of the Marylebone Cricket Club, held at Lord's, May, 1846, it appears that the increased number of its members, now amounting to 494, the improvement in the state of the funds, giving a balance of nearly £300 in favour of the Club, and the arrangements made with respect to matches, promise a most brilliant season. Twentysix matches are to be played at Lord's, and seven return ones in the pro INTERCEPTED CORRESPONDENCE FROM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 359 vinces, including two at Canterbury, two at Brighton, one at Audley End, and one at Leicester. This augurs well, and when we consider that the last year's matches cost £578, we cannot but compliment the committee, not only upon their liberality, but also upon their zealous and active exertions in keeping this national game alive. There is another amusement connected with sporting which may be enjoyed from London with little trouble and expense. I allude to a visit to Jackson's hunting grounds, and which has already been dilated upon in the Sporting Review and Magazine. It is true that, since the appearance of that article, death has overtaken the spirited proprietor of those grounds; still the establishment is equally well kept up by his widow, and a man may have a gallop of an hour over a grass country, in which may be found every species of fence, for 7s. 6d. Ladies, too, who prefer the air of these open grounds to the dust of those "vegetable puncheons called Parks,' where there is neither fruit nor flower enough to gratify a bee's slight munchings," can ride in the covered school or outside ground during the summer at the small charge of 1s. per diem; and if they have no stud of their own, Mrs. Jackson will furnish as good steeds by the day or year as can be hired within twenty miles of the metropolis. To the uninitiated it may be as well to add that the grounds are upon the Harrow Road, within two miles of the spot where once the far famed Tyburn-gate stood. We have now briefly attempted to describe the sporting life that may be had from the metropolis, and to those who have no ties in the country, no broad acres to look after, no lands to cultivate, no tenantry to support, no ancestral home to keep up, we strongly recommend London as a head quarter, from which all the amusements we have faintly alluded to may be had, and which combined with the advantages of clubs, theatres, and society, render it the most favoured spot in the wide world. "Fœminci generis cultu prope degere vitam The long line is the first verse I have written for years; it is more remarkable for its truth than its poetry -a praise seldom due. The original latin grammar affair is no better poetry-and not at all true. "Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes, emollit," &c., says that erudite work. Now, with all due deference to our earliest instructor in that portion of a gentleman's education yclept "classical," the learning of the liberal sciences has nothing to do with softness of manners or abolition of barbarity. The greatest bears in the world are the professors "lite |