predilections lead them to do so; but in the field it is quite another case. Every man who goes out with hounds, it is presumed, does so to enjoy the sports of the day; and it is quite at variance with reason to suppose any person can thoroughly appreciate enjoyments which he does not understand. I dare say some of my readers will object to this, and exclaim that they go out to ride, some perhaps to exhibit themselves or their horses; others from divers motives for the indulgence of their individual propensities, conceiving themselves as much gratified being in ignorance as they would be if they were thoroughly initiated in all the mysteries of woodcraft. Unless a man devotes his attention to the hounds when they are drawing for their fox, he loses in all probability one of the most interesting occurrences of the day-the find, and when the varmint is roused from his kennel, without giving his attention to the proceedings, a man cannot form an idea in what direction the fox will most probably break; how, therefore, is he to calculate upon a good start? Neglecting this, he very possibly stations himself at the exact point which the fox selects, and heading him is severely remonstrated with by the master of the hounds, or some influential member of the hunt: this, to say the least of it, produces a feeling of mortification. It is a public announcement that the person in question is totally unacquainted with the forms and ceremonies of an amusement in which he professes to participate. The only alternative for one who is indifferent to the very interesting events so happily blended with foxhunting, is to mingle with the crowd, and, when the fox breaks covert, to content himself with following a leader or leaders, as the case may be. The fox having got clear away from the covert, the hounds having settled down to the scent, and streaming away over the country, every man has a chance of riding-of exhibiting his prowess-if well mounted, of showing himself in the first flight; but just as he has obtained that enviable position, some change probably takes place; either the hounds overrun the scent or gain a covert. The hero ambitious only of riding does not notice the former event, and again becomes the object of the master's exclamations, and is accused of having ridden the hounds beyond the line. Thus he experiences mortification the second, but which would be avoided by devoting a little more attention to passing events. Instances which lead to similar results might be multiplied to a great extent; but space warns me that they must be postponed to a future period.

The past autumn has been more than usually favourable for cabhunting, I think I may add, throughout the kingdom. The quantity of rain which fell early rendered the scent better at that period than has been known for many years, and Harry Ayris informed me one day's sport, which they had in the Berkeley country, on the 15th of October, was superior to any day they had throughout the whole of last winter. Prior to their arrival at the Cheltenham kennels to commence their regular season at that very fashionable sporting rendezvous, Earl Fitzhardinge's hounds had killed thirty-two brace of foxes; and the Duke of Beaufort's, during their cubhunting, numbered twenty-two brace and a half, with an abundant supply left for the winter's campaign.

The custom of having the opening day annually at one particular

place prevails with many hunts. The Quorn, for example, always meet at Kirby Gate on the first Monday in November. It is a glorious sight, well worth going a long distance to enjoy-where the best horses are invariably brought out. Mr. Assheton Smith appoints the first day's meeting at his own residence, Tidworth House, where a sumptuous breakfast is provided for all who are disposed to partake of the veteran sporting squire's hospitality. The late Sir John Cope followed a similar example; and Mr. Garth, who now hunts the country, continues the same social custom. It will be remembered that Mr. Wheble succeeded Sir John Cope, and hunted the whole of the country two seasons, including that which was apportioned to Mr. Montagu, under whose superior management most. excellent sport was obtained. Last Christmas Mr. Wheble gave notice of his intention to resign the mastership, upon which meetings were held, and it was finally decided, after some opposition, that the country being extensive, should be divided, as most conducive to sport and convenience. Mr. Garth then came forward, and agreed to hunt one part, and Mr. Wheble consented to continue as master of that portion formerly hunted by Mr. Montagu, with the exception of some coverts at Mortimer and Aldermaston, which, belonging to the Vine, were reclaimed by that hunt. The river Loddon now forms the boundary, Mr. Garth taking the east of the line, and Mr. Wheble the west. The former gentleman has built kennels at his own resi dence, Haines Hill, which unfortunately is not centrically situated. Tocock is gone to him as huntsman; Thomas Sweetman, who whippedin under Tocock in the late Sir John Cope's service, is the first whip; and a son of Tocock's, whom Mr. Wheble entered, officiates as second. Mr. Wheble has promoted David Edwards to the post of huntsman, and has engaged Joel Dunsmore from the Berwickshire, a steady quiet man in his work, and a young lad named Hedges, brother to a youth entered in a similar capacity by Mr. Montagu. The pack is divided, Mr. Wheble having given all the dog-hounds, including nine couples of this year's entry, to Mr. Garth, for the use of the country, and the latter gentleman having made additions from other kennels, has to the eye a very fine pack. Mr. Wheble cannot fail to have a very superior pack of bitches, of which five couples entered this year are represented as being more than usually promising.

The reports from hunting quarters are invariably favourable. A friend of mine, whose opinion is gospel, informs me Sir Watkin Wynne's hounds have already had several very pretty runs; that he has a splendid lot of hounds; and that the entry of this year is most superior. The Shropshire continue under the able management of Mr. Corbet; and the neighbouring establishment, the North Staffordshire, goes on as formerly; but their buntsman Joe Maiden has been suffering much during the summer from the injury which he sustained many years ago. Nothing but the most gallant pluck, and the most ardent love of foxhunting, would induce a man to persevere, so long as he has done, and I believe his zeal to be as great as ever. He had a very satisfactory commencement of cubhunting, with a capital entry of young hounds, and a good show of foxes.

The only change that has taken place in that part of the kingdom is in the Albrighton Hunt, which is presided over by Mr. Hellier,

who has brought a very first-rate pack of hounds with him out of the Southwold country. How they will be affected by the removal, I am not yet in a position to pronounce, but I have always understood the Southwold country held a good scent, in which respect the Albrighton is the very antipodes. It is, without exception, by many degrees the worst scenting country I ever was in, and therefore a very difficult and uncertain country to show sport in, being more than most others influenced by the state of the atmosphere. The abundance of "heavy wet" which has fallen of late is greatly in favour of their sandy district. The extent of country, if as well stocked with foxes as it is reported to be, ought to afford four days' hunting in the week; but I have known them plentiful at the early part of the season, and wonderfully scarce towards the conclusion; yet very few noses on the kennel-door. I hope that will not be the case in future, and that all which are killed will lose their lives in action, to be duly reported at head quarters.

The gallant little pack, known in Shropshire as the Wheatland, are still gaining chaplets to their well-earned laurels. Mr. Baker, with undiminished zeal, continues to hunt the country, and has thus early in the season been very fortunate in showing sport. On Tuesday, November 9th, they had a splendid run, when the place of meeting was Monkhopton. No sooner were the hounds thrown into Middleton Gorse, than a fox broke away across Netchwood, for Hulwick, up Monkhopton Hill, across the Ludlow and Bridgnorth turnpikeroad for the Plumtree Coppice, to Spoonhill Wood, through which the hounds pressed him gallantly, and on to Callaughton, where the first check occurred-but that was only momentary; hitting it off they raced for Beggarly Brook and Shirlet to Willey Park, where he was viewed going for Barrow; he then turned to the right for Dean Corner, across the park to one of the large pools below the house, where he succeeded in getting into a culvert, by which he saved his life, after a capital run of one hour and twenty minutes. The hounds completely beat the horses, as the country, in consequence of the rain, was unusually deep and distressing.

Subsequently to the commencement of the regular hunting season, the weather has been unusually wet. During the whole of the last summer and autumn, up to the present time, much more than an average quantity of rain has fallen. Latterly the country has been so exceedingly deep as to interfere very considerably with sport, while the elements have been so uninviting that few, comparatively speaking, have ventured to brave such pitiless peltings. After such a lengthened series of rain we are surely justified in expecting a favourable change.

This is undoubtedly the age of discovery and invention paramount above all preceding periods. Among other things the reduction of spavins, ringbones, and such-like bony excrescences, is announced, without resorting to the painful and disfiguring alternative of firing. With reference to the last-named operation, that will not reduce ossific substance: in other words, it will not convert bone into fluid. It can only be expected to produce beneficial results in the early stages of ossific deposits by staying their progress. Without being in the slightest degree acquainted with the mode of treatment adopted

by Mr. Major-the gentleman who has introduced the remedy-I entertain a favourable opinion of it, because I have for a length of time been perfectly satisfied that most incipient cases could be cured without firing, by means of applications which have been in use for many years; and if this gentleman has discovered a more efficacious remedy, there is little doubt of the successful issue. At any rate the experiment is worthy of trial, before the alternative of firing is adopted; and if cures can be effected to the extent represented, it is certainly one of the most valuable discoveries that has been offered to owners of horses for many years.

EXTRACTS FROM RABY'S NOTE-BOOK.

THE MEDITERRANEAN, CORFU, ALBANIA.

A very curious old church may be seen just opposite the iron gates leading to the Casino of the Lord High Commissioner: this is said to be one of the oldest churches in the island of 'Corfu. The land gene

rally is in a wretched state of cultivation, though Lord Seaton had been endeavouring to show the occupiers of the soil a better state of farming, having formed a model farm, and it is to be hoped many hints have been taken from his system; indeed, I was told that some few persons had already followed the plans that were carried out at the model farm-as it is, the land is very productive, but it might be made at least three times more so by proper cultivation; excellent fruit may be obtained, particularly oranges, citrons, lemons, grapes, also honey, with potatoes, and other table vegetables in abundance-especially leeks, of which the Greeks are very fond. The island abounds with myrtle, which, when in blossom in the summer, sends forth the most fragrant and delicious scent, and when mingled with the different perfumes of the orange, lemon, and other blossoms, fills the air with the most pleasing fragrance. Very little wood is to be found in the island of Corfu except the olive-and by a law that exists, it is unlawful for any one to cut down an olive tree; this accounts for the great number of very old olive trees that are to be seen all over the island. Fire wood is therefore very dear, and difficult to be obtained; it is chiefly brought from the interior of Albania, and is conveyed to the sea coast on horses and mules. In one of my shooting excursions in Albania, I met a drove of these animals, amounting to a very large number, returning into the interior for another supply. The mules are shod in a curious manner: the inside of the shoe is filled up with iron. No doubt this is done to protect the foot from the rugged and stony nature of the ground they have to travel over; these droves are attended by three or four men attired in the common Albanian dress of the lower classes, each provided with a capote made of light-coloured wool.

The rides in the neighbourhood of Corfu are numerous. The favourite excursions are to Paleocastrizza, Pellica, the Pass of Garunna, and Pantaleone. The view from the latter place is the most magnificent and

extensive in the island: you ascend the hill by a zig-zag road about two miles from the top to the bottom (taking the different windings into consideration); from the top of the pass you can see the northern division of Corfu, and as you ascend the hill you naturally pause to admire the distinct and beautiful views you have of the different parts of the island. Pantaleone is sixteen miles from Corfu; Paleocastrizza is about the same distance, and you proceed by the same road to each place, passing by the old Venetian harbour, and through a wood of olive trees, till you come to the half-way-house, where the two roads branch off, the one to the right leading you to Pantaleone, the other on the left to Paleocastrizza. It is really astonishing to see what very excellent roads are to be found in this island, not only near Corfu itself, but at the distance of sixteen or twenty miles in the interior; this has been effected by the government, who have employed soldiers from the different regiments stationed in the island to make roads. Very good limestone is to be met with, and from the circumstance of very few carts passing over the roads, they are generally in good repair; almost all articles for sale are conveyed to market on horses.

As you approach Paleocastrizza the scene changes; the road takes you by the seaside, though many feet above it; and in many places you have nothing to protect you from falling over a high precipice into the sea. As you approach nearer to this ancient fortress, you ascend a steep hill, till you arrive at the top of the rock which overhangs the sea. Here a small military station is situated, where a few soldiers reside, who may require sea-bathing and change of air. There is also a very neat little chapel, containing some curious pictures and ornaments; this, I was told, belonged to a priest who owns nearly all the land around: he came in from an excursion whilst I was there. Although he was said to be very rich, he was riding on a common pack-saddle, and carried his horse fodder with him; he also brought home a large hoe, to use in his vineyards-indeed, the priests work in their fields with their servants, go to market, and perform many other common offices of life.

The view from the rock is grand, though not very extensive; you see huge masses of granite rising up to heaven on the one side-the wide and open sea on the other. As you descend, the village of Paleocastrizza faces you on the opposite hill; and to the right a pretty bay lies surrounded by rugged rocks. To persons who are fond of fine wild mountain scenery, Paleocastrizza will afford a rich treat, and should be visited by all means. I found a very civil sergeant and a private soldier or two there, who provided a good luncheon for me, and took care of my horse, During the summer months many of the officers leave Corfu, and live at some of the quarters that have been fitted up at this place.

The Pass of Garunna is another favourite ride or drive. The road leads you through some very pretty olive groves. Leaving Santa Decca to the left, you gradually ascend a hill, when suddenly you come to the Pass; the sea now bursts upon you all at once, in all its grandeur-this view is about nine miles from Corfu. I was also much pleased with the view from Pellica. On the left lies the flat ground of Val de Ropa; beyond you have a view of Paleocastrizza, and chains of mountain scenery; before you lies Corfu, and between you and that place, vineyards, olive groves, and orange gardens. I was so much pleased with this place