perilous day of the year to confiding spirits, had dragged Grattan over the hills and far away, on worse than a wild-goose chase, while the wicked Colonel knew that Lochulla meant to honour his intended son-in-law with a verbal acceptance of his suit. ..

"Ifow could you have the heart to treat me so ?" demanded Forles, reproachfully, of the Colonel; while I joined, against my will, in the boisterous merriment of the two old gentlemen.

“ Heart ! that had nothing to do with it: it was all my head!" absolutely shouted Maclean. Have you forgotten my twenty wigs, Master Grattan?

"Well, you have repaid ine in kind, I own,” said Grattan, laughing.

" But not fully," retorted Maclean; “I had thoughts of prescribing you lwenty; but I had mercy on you. And to guess from appearances," he added, surveying Gratlan from head to foot, “ I fancy that in this instance you have found the number I sent for quite sufficient to content you."

"Content! We're all content !" cried old Macleod, who liked Forbes weil enough to be delighted to find his sources of anger vanished. “And, upon my bonour, I know not if, after all, Lochulla's daughter could have more worthily been won than by the spirit and perseverance displayed in this causeless, yet determined April hunt.”

NOTES OF THE CHASE.

BY CECIL.

Extraordinary character of the season-Scent-Clubs--Fund for worn-out hunts.

men, &c.-Mr. Wheble's hounds-Mr. Selby Lowndes' hounds-The Vine hounds-Mr. Drake's country- The Wheatland Hunt.

Assuredly this season has been the most fortuitous for the operations of woodcraft that we have been favoured with many a long year. The chaste Goddess Diana has been in the ascendant, and has bestowed her bounties on her devoted protegés with the greatest liberality and affection. The season of 1845-6 approached nearer to this than any other of which I possess data or bear remembrance ; but at that period the months of November and December were notorious for fogs, rain, boisterous winds, and stormy elements; and many a thorough soaking can I recollect having experienced. The ensuing January was of a somewbat similar character. The months of February and March were fine ; but, taking the term throughout, there was not a vast number of good scenting days. The last month of November was fine in the extreme, and dry till towards the conclusion, when rain fell, and rendered the country more in hunting order; and on the three latter days there was some frost, apparently the prognostication of a severe winter ; but strange to observe, it was the most severe we have experienced during the season. There was scarcely a foggy day as a token of the month. Then followed December—for bunting enjoyments favourable in the extreme; and so the season has continued, without frost of sufficient intensity (with the exception of a day or two in November) to delay operations after twelve o'clock. Boisterous winds ushered in the new year, as if the Ides of March were brought forward to the January account; but they did not continue. February was a particularly fine month, and the drying atmosphere so prevalent in March has been softened down with considerable quantities of rain; thus there has been a succession of good scenting days, more than double the number usually experienced during a similar term of what may be denominated a good season. It is generally supposed that the best scenting weather succeeds a frost; and that the frost, by purifying the earth, renders it in a favourable state for the perfection of that wonderful phenomenon. This must be a fallacy; for not having had a sufficiency of that element throughout the winter to affect the soil, it cannot have been the precursor of what is supposed. But scent is a most extraordinary quality ; and the more we endeavour to unravel its mysteries, the more we are entangled in a labyrinth of perplexities. So great has been the wear and tear in many hunting establishments, that several packs will leave off before their accustomed period, and ere this meets the public eye will have finished the season.

The establishment of clubs for the promotion of particular social engagements has long been acknowledged as productive of the utmost benefit; not only as relates to their influence over political, professional, and social affairs, but also with reference to our national sports. Had not the Jockey Club been formed, racing could not possibly have attained the celebrity it has now acquired. Uncontrolled by any legislative powers, no rules would have existed for the observance of persons connected with the occupation. It is by conventionalism that this great national amusement and speculation is carried on: any man setting at defiance the fundamental rules which the Jockey Club have established is by mutual consent excluded from participation in the pursuit. Had the Royal Yacht Club not been formed, it is not probable that yachting or amateur sailing would ever have gained the éclat of which it so proudly boasts, and which it has attained in a comparatively short space of time. Political clubs have their advantages in associating men together who entertain certain opinions of government, and enable them to assemble and discuss the current events. Society is benefited and promoted by the numerous clubs in London, which, without being identified with any particular persuasion, opinion, or profession, have simply the end of social convenience in view; they contribute vastly to the improvement of good order, refinement, and the observance of little courtesies which render companionship agreeable.

Every year's experience proclaims the advantage which fox-hunting would derive from the establishment of a national club. Most hunts of importance have their local clubs, and as far as their influence extends they add vastly to the social convenience and harmony of the members, and the general interests of the country. So likewise there are several provincial racing clubs, equally conducive to the social agrémens of the members; but without the Jockey Club to take the lead in the establishment of rules and regulations racing could not have attained its national character. Minor clubs might have adopted

rules for their own guidance, but they could not have extended them beyond their own meetings, and in the same light we may include foxhunting. The local clubs promote the interest of their own hunts, but their influence cannot extend so universally as a national hunt club held in London would do, composed, among many others, of members of provincial clubs and all masters of hounds. In the event of any disputes as to the rights or extent of countries, such questions would be readily settled by the stewards of the club for the time being, or a committee of members. The unconstitutional proceeding of procuring foxes clandestinely from one hunt to supply another would undoubtedly be put an end to: it is a course which must be at all times repugnant to high-born feelings. Mutual arrangements between masters of hounds to supply and be supplied, as circumstances may require, would be far more conducive to good fellowship and the preservation of foxes, than the very objectionable custom of procuring them under any other circumstances.

A fund for the assistance or support of well-conducted huntsmen and whippers-in, upon the same principle as the Bentinck Testimonial Fund, is another subject which might readily be included in the items of a national hunt club. It is true that when a servant has been any length of time in the employment of a nobleman or gentleman of wealtb, he sometimes receives a pension from his master when age and infirmities render him incapable of continuing the performance of his former duties ; but there are many deserving men who are not so well provided for. In fact, if such an argument could be admitted, it might have been applied equally with regard to jockeys. There are very few of respectability or eminence who have not served some wealthy patrons, per haps won large sums of money for them, and yet in their old age have had but scanty means of existence. To promote so good a purpose, it is reasonable to conclude that every sportsman, every man who enjoys the thrilling pleasures of the chase, would be most anxious to subscribe and secure for those men a competence in their old age, who have so often risked their limbs in the service of foxhunting. It must always be remembered that the danger to which a servant to hounds is exposed is far greater than what a gentlemen encounters; and there cannot exist a tie of greater moral strength between the two classes than that which is formed by the mutual participation in danger.

Mr. Wheble's hounds have had a most excellent season; their spirited master well merits the success he has met with. The admirable condition in which the hounds appear at the covert-side deserves the utmost praise; they are full of muscle, and in capital wind. The popularity which they have gained, in consequence of the sport they have shown throughout the season, is a sufficient inducement for the attendance of a large field of sportsmen whenever a favourite fixture is appointed for the trysting place; still greater was the attraction on the occasion of their meeting for the first time under the auspices of Mr. Wheble, at the seat of England's popular and gallant chieftain, his Grace of Wellington. The day following that on wbich it has been the noble Duke's custom to invite the judges about to make the Western Circuit to meet the gentlemen of the county has been an anniversary of many years' standing, on which Sir Jobo Cope's bounds have invariably met at Strathfieldsaye: in conformity with the time-honoured observance Mr. Wheble's hounds continue the custom. Most of the members and attendants on this liunt were of course assembled ; and their numbers greatly augmented by those not only from tbe neighbouring hunts, but several were recognized as connected with distant ones- Mr. T. A. Smith's and Mr. Phillips', the H. H., the Craven, the Berkshire, and the Vine hunts, had each of them representatives. A larger or better mounted field has certainly not been seen in this county; honoured likewise by a long file of carriages occupied by the ladies residing in the neighbourhood.

The important duties of the State, or rather the high estimation which our Sovereign Lady entertains for the veteran Duke's counsels in matters of perplexity, particularly urgent at that crisis, precluded the opportunity of a lengthened visit to this, his Grace's favourite conntry-seat. Arriving there only in time to preside at the entertainment on Friday, Feb. 28th, the noble Duke departed again for London on the following morning before the hounds had found. This was particularly unfortunate, as the fox ran across the park within sight of the mansion.

The hounds met in the accustomed place—the carriage-drive, and threw off more punctualty than is usual on such occasions. Anticipating delay, many persons had not time to find their horses before the pack and the gay cortège were proceeding over the bridge and across the park in front of the house, to commence their draw. A more appropriate arrangement, a more imposing scene, can scarcely be imagined than that which was obtainable from the windows of the house-a scene of animation which no other kingdom than England can afforda pack of foxhounds attended by a large company of well-mounted sportsmen, all elated with hope, as they cantered over the elastic turf of a nobleman's park to participate in the exciting preliminaries of the chase.

The plantations adjoining the park were drawn without finding; but the hounds were fiot long in the Bull Covert-a favourite rendezvous for foxes—on the Duke's estate before a challenge greeted the quick ear of Mr. Wheble, who instantly exclaimed, “They have found." The field, as in general when numerous, had already taken up positions from whence each conceived a good start might be effected. They were a good deal dispersed, and it appeared very probable that some unlucky wight would head the fox; however, one quarter was left open, and fortunately that was the one which the fox selected as his point, and he was presently viewed crossing a large wheat-field, without any person in his line, inaking for Strath fieldsaye Park, and, almost at his brush, the leading hounds were racing after him, with a goodly scent. A more beautiful sight could not be imagined. Taking the scent into the Park, they carried it merrily over the turf and through a portion of the plantations to Pittums, on to Upper Pittums, through that covert, and away to Highfield, over the park to Heckfield Heath, where he was viewed crossing the road into Heckfield Park, up to which point the hounds were on very good terms ; but, gaining the plantation near the house, the fox dodged about the laurels, and they came to a long check. Tocock made a

cast towards Riseley, but could not hit the scent, the fox having gone over the viaduct down to Vinoles, a covert belonging to the Speaker, where they hit upon him again, and hunted a cold scent 10 Daw more; here there was a halloo by the keeper's house, to which the hounds were taken, but never could make anything of it. The run occupied about an hour, the first twenty minutes of which was at a good pace. I have been informed by a friend that, on his way home, between Maitingley Green and Hazeley Heath, a fox had been seen crossing the road, going for Hazeley Gorse and Dogtails, at the time the hounds were in Dawmore, which, from the distance, inust in all probability have been the hunted fox, and that the halloo to which the hounds had been taken was no fox at all, or an apparition. It is a fact worthy of notice that, when foxes run into and loiter in plantations abounding with laurels, ivy, and such-like shrubs, they often manage to beat the hounds. There is most probably some peculiar exhalation or odour from those shrubs, that interferes with the sceni. I have observed it frequently with the Heythrop, the Worcestershire, and other packs. With the latter, I remember, some twenty years ago, a fox they frequently found in the Brickhill Covert invariably ran to Mr. Berkeley's, at Spetchley, and, gaining the plantation, the hounds could never hit him: however good the scent might have been up to that point, it totally failed afterwards.

How frequently are our most sanguine hopes defeated ! how frequently our best-concerted plans disappointed! Thus, when we determine upon a visit to some distant hunt, an unforeseen event transpires, and renders postponement imperative; a horse meets wiih an accident, a bad over-reach, a severe cut, or a thorned leg—serious impediments in a small stud ; the day on which we propose to set off, some vexatious, unexpected engagement interferes ; and thus, without running the gauntlet of a chapter of mishaps, our intentions are frustrated. Such has been :ny case this year, having fully deterinined to treat myself with three months in Mr. Selby Lowndes' country. My desire to do so has been twofold-the universal praise in which I bear the establishment spoken of by all who have had the good fortune to hunt with it, and more especially from the glowing description given me by a friend who has been enjoying the sport these hounds have shown during the greater portion of the season. Never shall I forget the extasies in which I beheld hiin, ou bis return from hunting with them, as he entered his dining-room, where I had been some time waiting his arrival. “Oh, we have had such a run !" he exclaimed, “the most brilliant day's sport I ever saw." He then commenced with a description of it, as follows: “We met at Bletchley, drew Mr. Duncombe's gorse, and found a fox that broke without any trouble; ran him, best pace, to Brick-hill, without a single check; and killed him in twenty-six minutes. Trotted on to Salden, where they found immediately, and went straight through Thrift to Whaddon, skirting the College Woods, leaving Nash Wood on the left, over Whaddon Field, through Oakhill, and away to Shenley, pointing for the turnpike-road, on for Simpson's Gorse, which he did not touch, leaving it on the left, and from thence to Fenny Stratford, where he was killed, after a most brilliant run of one hour and twenty minutes.” “Well, but," I enquired, “ was all this without a check? because you have not mentioned such an event.” “Why," he re.