hark! Tyrant gives tongue, others chime in, the whole chorus is renewed, and away she gallops to finish the circle that will bring her to her own home-the only consolation she has to die on her own native soil.

But, really, we are getting quite dolorous. Listen to those hounds, that will cure you of all "compunctious visitings." What a power there is in that wild harmony!how it sets your blood in an uproar! Talk of jumping over the moon, we could jump over the planet Saturn, ring and all, when that mad cry first falls upon our membrana tympani. Away, away! thehunt's up" again,-" men, dogs, hills, rocks, and woods," are at it as fiercely as ever! The gallant steeds will not be restrained -hedge, ditch, and railing, what are they to them! Over they go, close alongside the hounds ;-puss is in view-she never turns her head, but her long, capacious ears inform her of all that's going on behind; she falters the old hounds press forward-they are upon her they have her- no, she bounds off at a right angle 'twas a desperate effort, and she is all the weaker for it-the hounds retrieve their lost ground-they are close to her again-she tries

once more to elude their grasp, but her strength is insufficient-they rush together their teeth are upon her she is dead!

WOUNDED MALLARD. (Anas Boschas, LINN.) Engraved by W. RADDON, from a Pic

ture by A. COOPER, R. A.

THE subject of the annexed engraving is one that we trust will be understood by all our readers; and as Wild-duck Shooting commences with the present month, we thought one ready shot to their hands might be acceptable, and serve to remind them of the protection the New Game Laws afford" these wild, shy, and wary birds." It may not be improper here to state that we think this arrangement one of the best hits made by the new enactment, as it prevents that wholesale system of destruction termed flapper shooting. Hawker says, in page 187, something so much in unison with our feelings on this subject that we shall quote the passage:"When once found flappers are easily killed, as they attain their full growth before their wings are fledged; and for this reason the sport is often more like hunting water-rats than shooting birds."

Were we to search the wide world through, we do not think we could find a greater contrast than that which was afforded by the transition from the Goodwood to the Paris meeting; indeed, so opposite are they that we can scarcely believe them to be of the same nature, but think that the one must be racing and the other some

species of pursuit for which we have not yet found a name. To begin with the description of the Course. It is on a hard, gravelly plain of considerable extent, on the south side of the Seine, one end of which is occupied by a splendid building called the Military School (but which the uninitiated might take for a Grand Stand), while the other stretches out to the river, and is approached by a bridge from the village of Passy-a sort of Milbank of Paris. On either side of the plain, shaded by rows of stunted trees, are raised banks or mounds, upon which the pedestrians are ranged during the races; and about the centre of the south side are erected some temporary stands for the royal family and visitors, the former placed in the centre, being hung with rich crimson velvet and gold, and the others with tastefully arranged tri-coloured drapery.

The arrangement here is widely different from that we are accustomed to in England; for, wonderful to relate, money will not procure admission to the stands; and unless he goes provided with a ticket (procured we do not know where), the spectator must be content to view the races from a chair, or some such unassuming accommodation. We purchased a ticket the second day of a young French gentleman, dignified in France, we believe, with the high sounding title of a "Cavalier d'Industrie," but in our more homely parlance, a pickpocket, and on presenting it found all the places had been engaged for some time, and were quently obliged to forfeit our stakes; shortly afterwards, however, we had the satisfaction of seeing our friend in the custody of two " gendarmes."

conse

The Course, which is of an ob

long form, comprises the circuit of the whole plain (about a mile and a quarter round), and is marked out by good strong posts and ropes. Within the first circle is another to keep the equestrians at a respectful distance from the Course, and to shelter some troops, which, with their band, were stationed opposite the stands; half way round also (where the pedestrians mustered thickest), were soldiers with fixed bayonets, at about a yard distant from each other; and in the middle ring were stationed a handful of cavalry, with drawn swords, by way of keeping the equestrians in order. With the exception of a few weeds on the mounds there is not the slightest symptom of vegetation, and the Course itself is almost as rough and as hard as our country roads; indeed, the north side was worse than many cross-roads, and exhibited ruts, made by carts, carrying the soil from the banks to the centre, which had been raised a foot or two. The "Champ de Mars," however, as its name bespeaks, was not intended for a race-course, and in the absence of a better must be taken with all its imperfections.

To prescribe fixed rules for regulating any thing in France would be derogatory to the dignity of so enterprising a nation; but we believe the racing continues upon nearly the same footing upon which it was placed in 1824, when the then Minister of the Interior promulgated some twenty-nine articles, ordering among other things that races should take place in eight districts, viz. Paris, Le Pin (Orne), St. Brieux, Strasburgh, Limoges, Aurillac, Bordeaux, and Tarbes; four prizes to be given at each meeting, and also three royal

prizes, two of which were to be run for at Paris.

As we stated in our last number, the Races at Paris commenced on Sunday the 26th of August, on the morning of which day, however, in consequence of the unfavourable appearance of the weather, the Prefect of the Department sent an order, about eleven o'clock, to postpone them; but such is the ease with which they manage these matters in France, that, about an hour after, as the day looked clearer and the Prefect's glass had risen a little, a counter-order came to the troops that had filed off the ground, commanding them to file back again. There were four races this day for the Arrondissement Prizes of 1200 francs each*. On the 27th there was also some racing, but the weather being very unfavourable, and the sport not particularly interesting, we will pass on to those of Sunday, September the 2nd, when things looked brighter, and the company came forth like butterflies after a shower.

If the Derby and Oaks were run for at Battersea, we can fancy what would be the appearance of the road to the Course, there would not be a man in the metropolis with half a leg but would attend. The French, however, do not concern themselves much about these matters, and there was little appearance of bustle until we reached the Hospital of Invalids, about a quarter of a mile from the Course. Then we got among a few crazy hack-cabs and fiacres, and looseriding horsemen, but nothing to excite our particular attention, till on entering the barren flat the numerous pedestrians, who occupied

the sides, gave an air of gaiety to the scene. About one o'clock the Citizen Queen and some of the Citizen Princesses arrived from their chateau at Neuilley, in a yellow barouche, with four fine bay horses, and smart postillions in

blue and red liveries with silver lace, attended by part of the household in another carriage, and immediately entered the stand. They were escorted by a few seedy-looking soldiers and some out-riders in scarlet frock-coats and white duck trousers-exhibiting altogether a much more humble appearance than before they were raised to the throne. Some six years ago we happened to be present at these races, and we could not help contrasting the regal splendour that marked the court of Charles X. with the Darby and Joan appearance of their present Majesties; but if they like it we are sure we have no objection, and will therefore pass on to the races.

Perhaps "A Correct List of all the Running Horses" may be interesting to our readers, and furnish them with some idea how they manage these things in France. We have selected that of the races for the 2nd of September, as it may be useful as a reference in the detailed account, if, indeed, one can be made out of such heterogeneous materials. We wish we could have introduced the woodcut that figures at the top of the original, exhibiting three jockeys riding on two horses, one flourishing a whip as big as a broad-sword; but these things cannot be done in England, therefore we must leave it to the reader's imagination.

NO. XVIII.-VOL. III.

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