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was put out of the way, and at it they went upon the floor, first for halfpence, and then for "glasses round," and when they had got the steam up again, Mr. Thickset said he would jump either of the others over the table for a "sov." The bet was taken: Mr. Thickset put off his coat and looked nervous-principally about the "sov." we should think, for if we could only have looked into his pockets, we would have found no sovereign there-he took a spring up to try whether he could do it or not, and then swung his arms fiercely about, until he knocked a pot of ale out of old Nanny Brewker's hands, and then away he went at the "rasper," as he called it: next he was seen lying on the floor, with the table on the top of him, and one of his eyes looking inflamed, which, as you watched it, seemed undergoing some process of colouring generally attained by what Grantley Berkeley calls a "punch;" in the end it turned out to be one of the finest specimens of a black eye that we have seen. Before order was restored after this mishap of Mr. Thickset's, the hounds (that would not cross the river, and which were prowling about the inn) gave mouth, and on our sporting gents rushing out, they found them in full view after the fox, which the other few dogs had again brought into their neighbourhood; he was nearly "used up," and the fresh dogs getting laid on, of course sealed his doom; they killed him in five minutes, and the three worthies had the pleasure of being in at the death and "brushing him." They had got so jolly, and were so elated with getting the brush, that it was determined amongst them that, like sportsmen of old, they should have the fox's head put into a can of beer, and then drink it with the head swimming about in it; this was done by way of a "finish," and it says much for their stomachs that none of them were sick after following this old fashion. Mr. Thickset, next day, on his appearing in his usual places of resort, was questioned by his friends as to the reason for his having his eye in mourning; and, putting as good a face upon the matter as he could with his damaged one, he told them that he had had "a devil of a hunt with the Cutitfat Hounds, and how he was going to clear on his horse two hedges at once, one on each side of a narrow lane, but which it seems was too much, and so his horse came down and pitched him on to a hedge-stake in the second fence, which nearly put his eye out; but nevertheless he was in at the death, although nearly killed himself." This story passed current with his friends, but whether there was one amongst them who thought it a hoax too good to be kept secret, or whether it was M. Pill Thickset, Esq., himself who wished to see his name in the newspapers, for

""Tis pleasant sure to see one's name in print,"

we do not know; but whoever it was who composed the very excellent account of the sport, at which no one was present all the time, the local papers are, in the first instance, indebted to him, and in the next place, the Editor of a sporting paper is indebted to him for making that paper the vehicle to distribute this "Pill" (whether Morrison's or Thickset's) to the world; but if it is expected to be swallowed quietly, we are afraid they are in the wrong "box."

D

A VISIT TO JACKSON'S HUNTING AND GENERAL RIDING SCHOOL, HARROW ROAD.

BY LORD WILLIAM LENNOX.

There is an old saying, that "half the world (alluding to the London world) are not aware of what the other half are about ;" and certainly we plead guilty to the above remark; for, after a long life in the metropolis, we were not made acquainted until last week with the existence of Jackson's Hunting and General Riding School. It may be true, that "not to know Jackson was to be ourselves unknown;" still such was the startling fact; and nothing but the arrival of a friend of ours from the country would have relieved us from this state of barbarism. Our friend (we always adopt the editorial plural) was anxious to purchase a couple of hunters; and hearing that Mr. Jackson had a long string of first-rate nags, we proceeded to his grounds. Anxious to adopt an old joke, and "do the thing han'som," we ensconced ourselves in a very good-looking, patent, Hansom cab, with an ondeniable varmint, thoroughbred stepper, in it, and an out-and-out "jarvy ;" and desired him to drive to the Hunting Grounds. Passing along Oxford Street, or Hawksvut Street as he called it, thereby changing every original letter in the name, we entered the Bayswater Road, and made the best of our way to the Black Lion Lane; here we made a short turn to our right; and proceeding through new streets, reached the spot we sought for. Some few years ago, Jackson's Hunting Ground was a few miles out of town; now you have brick and mortar the whole way. Upon approaching this sporting locale, the country appears quite open to the eye; and we were fancying ourselves some miles distant from the metropolis, when a whiz and a smoke broke the enchantment, and we found ourselves close to the Great Western Railroad. After anathematizing modern improvements, and condoling over the innovation of steam and iron, we entered Mr. Jackson's arena. At the door of a small pavilion, on the left-hand side as you enter, we found the presiding genius. He received us most cordially, and ordered his ostler to parade his numerous stud before

us.

The grounds consist of a large grass ridge and furrow field, bounding which is a gallop, inclosed by a railing; and at the extremity is another inclosed gallop, upon which may be found every species of fence, from a simple hurdle to a broad ditch and stakebound fence. There is the stone wall, the five-barred gate, the brook, the fence, the in-and-out clever, the water, and stiff-bound inclosure. The stables are excellent; and the riding-school is a model of perfection. The ride is covered over; while the interior circle, or rather oblong, is a garden filled with the choicest flowers: here, also, are every sort of leaps, from the two-foot hurdle to a double post and rail. Mr. Jackson gives lessons in equitation; and I cannot con

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A VISIT TO JACKSON'S HUNTING AND RIDING SCHOOL. ceive a better school, or one more calculated to teach the " young idea how to ride," than the one I am describing. With regard to terms, we will let the proprietor speak for himself.

"H. Jackson begs to observe that his prices will be found considerably lower than any other riding school in London, and the advantages of learning on the turf infinitely superior, and better calculated to inspire confidence, and gain a more perfect knowledge of horsemanship than can be acquired in any other school in England:

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Subscriptions paid at commencement, or each lesson charged as a single one. An appointment broken (unless from bad weather) to be paid as a lesson. as a lesson. One hour for each lesson. Hunters, hacks, and ladies' horses broken in a superior manner.

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Here, my noble sporting aspirants, you may have a run of an hour without a check, over a grass country, upon an out-and-out good hunter, with the choice of leaps, for seven and sixpence; and if you want to keep up the illusion, and wish to fancy yourself riding to cover, have an hour's worth of road-riding, previously, for the small sum of five shillings and fivepence. Total amount of expense of your morning's sport-twelve shillings and elevenpence! Then, as Liston used to say in Love, Law, and Physic, "if you loves to be liberal," there's the odd penny for charity. Seriously, for men old or young, that are doomed to domicile the winter months in London, there are few ways of promoting health and recreation more than by devoting a couple of hours daily to Jackson's Grounds. For youth, the advantages must be pre-eminent; for they will acquire two great requisites for riding well to hounds: first, to become good judges of pace; and secondly, to be able to put their horses well at their fences. The son of the proprietor, a lad of thirteen, is one of the most promising young workmen I have ever seen. He possesses nerve, quickness, patience, and good temper; and if he does not grow up to be a first-rate rider and sportsman, I shall indeed be deceived. We cannot give a full, true, and correct list of Mr. Jackson's high-bred cattle; nor would it be of any very great advantage to our readers if we could record their names, and their exploits, as there is a constant change taking place in the stables: it is the old saying

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verified, of "here to-day, and there to-morrow;" but this we can assert with confidence, that upon the day we visited the grounds, a good stud of hunters for any weight, from ten to fourteen stone, might have been picked up. There is, or rather was (for by this time he is probably sold) as clever a thorough-bred horse as ever went across a country. With eleven stone seven upon his back, he would be a flyer. No pace, no fence could stop him; and we recommend him to the notice of any gentleman sportsman who wishes to be in the first flight, or who, according to the remark of a truly popular and talented French nobleman, rides "as if he had a letter in his pocket for the fox, and was in a hurry to deliver it himself." Change for a Sovereign," too, is a clever-looking horse, and with a workman upon him would show many the way. And now, gentle reader (for all readers are called gentle), are you speculating upon the meaning of this name?"Change for a sovereign?" We thought of Rolla, and loyally exclaimed, "We want no change, and least of all such change as you would give us." What can it refer to? Do you give it up? We ourselves could not solve the mystery, and asked Mr. Jackson to expound. "Why, we call him Change for a Sovereign," responded that prince of nomenclators, "because nothing goes faster than that.” Now if that is not an original and brilliant idea, we never heard one before, and flogs considerably the usual play upon word appellations conferred upon horses for their deeds or ancestry. In our time, however, we have heard of some fairish names: "Saltfish," so called because there was nothing could beat him upon a fast day;" Scythe," because he cut down all before him; "Angelo," as being the best of fencers; Treacle,* Love's Young Dream, Honeycomb, Sugar, and Guava, as applying to the sweetest things imaginable; Pioneer, Pilot, as always leading the way. Not to forget Lord George Cavendish's name for his roan colt, which he looked upon as a flyer, the "Rapid Rhone." The pedigrees of horses have also furnished some good names. Blubber, by Whalebone, out of Tears. The Secr, by Soothsayer, out of Vision. The Singing Mouse, by Mus, out of Malibran. Street Walker, by Tramp, out of Fille de Joie. The Ugly Buck, by Venison, out of Monstrosity. Canvas, by Election, out of Scud. Brother to Seahorse--Horse Marine. The Liar (Lyre), by Apollo, out of Mendacity. Wales, by Welshman, out of Whipcord. The Lark, by Warbler, out of Spree. Treadmill, by Tramp, out of Contrition. Gin, by Jupiter, out of Snare. Flush, by Woodcock, out of Hectic. A hundred other names might be enumerated, had we time and disposition to refer to the Racing Calendar.

While upon this subject, we would take the liberty of throwing out a suggestion to breeders and owners of race-horses, and which, if adopted, would save a very great deal of trouble to those who, not possessing retentive memories, are apt to puzzle over the breed of certain horses. We would, then, lay it down as a rule that the colt foal should be named after its sire, such name to commence with the

One of the best horses Sir Bellingham Graham ever possessed-and the worthy Baronet has had some good ones-was called "Treacle." We rather think he sold him for eight hundred guineas.

letter of its father's name. Ex. gr.:-Wellington, by Waterloo; Braggadocio, by Brodabil. If a filly, to be named after her dam, commencing with the letter of her respected mamma; thus-Fay, out of Fairy; Laurestina, out of Laurel. If possible, the name of both colt and filly should apply to the sire and dam, following the previous rule as to the first letters. We give two examples :-Warlock, by Wizard, out of Enchantress; Mania, by Bedlamite, out of Madge Wildfire.

To return to Mr. Jackson's horses, who has, at least, five-andtwenty in real hunting condition, we may point out a most wonderful looking small horse, whom the owner-riding, we should guess, nearly fourteen stone-has ridden for the last two seasons without giving him a fall. The horse is a perfect pocket-Hercules, with enormous power, and as active as a squirrel. Then there is a horse who gives the finishing lesson to all the hunting aspirants; but our memory fails us, and we must refer our readers to the stud itself. Suffice it to say, there is a horse for every character. The timid will find a perfect broke hunter: the elderly gentleman will have a nag as easy as his own arm chair: the real workman" will be mounted upon a clipper, ready to do the thing as it ought to be done. To those, too, who wish merely to try their own horses, or those of dealers, the grounds are most advantageous. For the small sum of half-a-crown per horse, you may ride for an hour. The second and last time we were there, the Honourable Augustus Berkeley was trying some horses, and in less than half-an-hour the gallant captain got thoroughly acquainted with the merits and demerits of the steeds in question. What a contrast was this trial to that of olden times, when the horse, duly prepared for the occasion, was walked, trotted, and cantered down the dealer's yard, over the sawdust, the bar covered with. furze put up, and the well-broke hunter took it beautifully! The purchase was completed. See the same horse, who a few days. before had been brought out sound upon the sawdust, trotted along the hard road, or gailoped across a stiff country, where was his soundness? where were his powers to go through dirt? Echo answers "where?" Now, if a man will only trot the horse he is anxious to purchase, from the dealer's stables to Jackson's grounds, he will have a pretty good taste of his quality on the road and across the country, and have no occasion to take the opinion of any veterinary surgeon as to his soundness. To make assurance doubly sure, we should advise an early visit to the stable the morning after the gallop, and then have the horse in question walked out on the stones; by this means it will be easily seen whether he goes stiff, lame, or sound. In days like the present, when the truth of the old saying is verified, of "doctor's (we allude to vets) disagreeing," and when few dealers will be found bold enough to warrant their horses alive, much less sound, at the hour they are seen and bought, it would save a great deal of law and litigation if the plan we have recommended was always adopted. Dealers, that have sound horses to dispose of, would rejoice at the trial; while the owners of screws," who wish to pass them off as perfect horses, would find their "occupation gone."

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