conveyed this information will further enact the part of “ guide, philosopher, and friend,” by pointing out in what manner the incidents are travestied. As it is, it must in common candour be observed that a more lugubrious, dreary, and pointless compilation of antique and musty rubbish was never offered in the shape of pantomime to a British public ; the only saving clause being a clever clown and a pretty columbine. The “ Arabian Nights' Entertainment” again is ransacked for a subject for Christmas at the HAYMARKET ; and it must be declared that for vulgarity of purpose, poverty of invention, or baldness of construction, the present production has never been surpassed, not even by the same authors, who, in their works, there is no denying, have abundantly proved themselves men of great research. Amongst the exhibitions, the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is receiving its share of public patronage, but not a whit more than the judicious arrangements of the directors fully warrant. The lectures by Dr. Bachhoffner and Mr. Pepper are invested with interest of no common degree ; and the selection of ballads on “ An English Christmas,” by Mr. George Barker, is not only exceedingly well timed, but emphatically expounded. While at Knightsbridge, MR. GORDON CUMMING's South AFRICAN EXHIBITION is visited by sportsmen, and indeed by all who have been interested in the life so graphically described, and so boldly pursued by this adventurous author. THE PANORAMA OF THE NILE is attended in great numbers by the intelligent portion of the public, and from the satisfaction expressed, it is reasonable to suppose that this instructive exhibition is properly appreciated. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. EXTRAORDINARY AND DARING FEAT OF HORSEMANSHIP AT AYLESBURY. -Under this heading the Bucks Chronicle chronicles the following, which the Ilustrated News further honours by illustrating. By all accounts, Mr. Fowler appears to be a most spirited host ; finding his friends not only a line to run over by day-light, but even a yet more exciting one by wax-light. The performance is altogether a most seasonable introduction to friend Ackermann's new edition of the Life of Mr. Mytton. “So was the story :"-At the stewards' ordinary, at the White Hart Hotel, after the Aristocratic Steeple Chases, the conversation turned on the feat of bringing a horse up into the dining-room in which the company were then assembled, which was once done by Lord Jocelyn and Mr. Ricardo, during the meeting of the Royal Hunt, some few years ago. Mr. Chas. Symonds, of sporting notoriety at Oxford, offered to bring a grey horse of his upstairs, and lead him round the table. No sooner said than done--for off he started, fetched the animal from the stable, and very shortly he announced his progress by a loud clattering on the old oak staircase. In a few minutes the horse was gazing on the assembled company. His owner then led him over a flight of chairs, which he jumped beautifully. Nothing then would satisfy the dear sons of Alma Mater but he must be jumped over the dining-tables. Mr. Fowler, the proprietor of the hotel, fearing lest some serious accident might occur, as it is a room of great antiquity, having been built by the Earl of Rochester in the time of the second Charles, made strong objections; but he was overruled, and the horse was led over them, everything standing ; the champagne glasses rattled, the plates quivered, the candlesticks shook, but nothing was displaced ; back again he went, clearing everything at a bound; whereupon a most ardent sportsman, and a very hard man across the vale-Mr, Manning, of Wendover--volunteered to lead him barebacked over, and, to the astonishment of all present, he accomplished it without bridle or saddle! The celebrated gentleman jock, Captain Barlowe, next essayed, and managed to make a smash of . one table with its contents. This was only a temporary check, for, in the face of a tremendous fire and the cheering of all present, he achieved the feat gallantly. It was now time to desist, and to get him down. stairs. This was sooner said than done ; for the stairs and passages being kept polished, the gallant grey slipped about dreadfully, and was evidently afraid of the descent. At length, at the suggestion of a worthy baronot, who was looking on at the fun, he was blindfolded, and thus descended into the entrance-hall, but managed to break about a dozen of the carved oak banisters in his progress. After the horse was safely deposited in the stable, the company returned, and, under the presidency of a noble earl, scion of a truly noble house, drank the health of the “ Dining-room Pet,” and might he carry his owner safely through many a run for many a long year to come. GENERAL GILBERT, We are glad to hear and announce that Messrs. Hunt and Roskell (late Storr and Mortimer), of Bond-street, have just completed a magnificent prize for the Lahore Autumn Meeting, which was presented for contest by the friends and admirers of Major-General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert, especially to commemorate his glorious career for upwards of forty years on the Indian Turf, of which he has ever been the staunchest supporter. The design embraces groups of the Indian army, all on horseback, surrounding General Gilbert and his staff, represented as standing on a rock, at the foot of which is placed a quantity of the instruments of war, comprising shields, matchlocks, spears, duc. The modelling of the horses in these groups, as well as the characteristic costumes and expression of the riders, is of the most excellent description, and in every way commensurate with the established celebrity of the manufacturers. The value of the prize is estimated at nearly 500 sove, STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. The stud of the late Edmund Peel, Esq., was sold by Messrs. Tattersall and Son, at Bonehill, near Tamworth, on Friday, Dec. 20th. STALLIONS, Gs. Drayton (foaled in 1837), by Muley, out of Prima Donna, by Soothsayer .... 150 The Mummy (foaled in 1833), by Memnon, out of Mouche, by Emilius, her dam Mercy, by Merlin, out of Shoveller, &c.; he is the sir e of many winners 94 The Sea, by Whalebone, dam by Orville, grandam by Sir Solomon, out of Miss Gs. Brim, by Highflyer ; his stock is very promising.......... BROOD MARES AND Young STOCK. Switch (foaled in 1836), by Cain, dam by Manfred--Castrel-— Alexander, &c. ; covered by Orlando............................................. 71 Ninny (foaled in 1835), by Bedlamite, dam by Manfred-Castrel, &c. ; covered by Orlando ............................................... Louise (foaled in 1838), by Sir Hercules, dam Sketch, by Partisan, out of Land. scape, by Rubens, &c.; covered by Orlando ...................... 21 Margaret, by Drayton, out of Switch ; covered by The Sea ..... A Mare, by Melbourne, out of Louise, by Sir Hercules, three years old ...... FOALS, &c. A Bay Colt, by Tearaway (sire of Russborough), out of Margaret, by Dray, ton, &c......................................................... 75 A Chesnut Colt, by Orlando, out of Ninny, by Bedlamite, &c. ... A Chesnut Filly, by Orlando, dam by Defence, grandam Effie, by Pick pocket, &c. .................................................. 24 A Black Colt, by Tearaway, out of Louise, by Sir Hercules, &c. ...... The other lots were bought in. • • • RACING FIXTURES FOR 1851. FEBRUARY. MARCH. APRIL MAY, JUNE. JULY, 1 Liverpool .......... 9 | Nottingham .... Carlisle i Stamford .......... 15 Goodwood ........ Worcester ..... 3! AUGUST. Ripon ...... 4 | Wolverhampton .... 11 | York ........ Brighton ... 6 | Lewes ........13 or 14 | Egham ....... SEPTEMBER Warwick ..... 2 | Doncaster .......... 16 | Eglinton Park ..23 or 24 Radcliffe... ... 8 i Sandbach .......... 16 i Manchester Autumn.. 25 Weymouth .......... 10 Bedford ........22 or 23 Newmarket F. 0..... 30 OCTOBER Monmouth ........... .. i Chester .... 7 | Newmarket S. O. .... 13 Richmond .......... 1 Wrexham .......... 9 Newmarket Houghton 27 NOVEMBER Worcester .......... V....... First week. THE GREAT MArch has been completed on the following terms :To run two miles over the Old Course, at York, on Tuesday, May 13th. The Flying Dutchman, five years old, to carry 8st. 8jlbs. ; and Volti .. .. . . . geur, four years, 8st. It will be seen they are at present quoted at most even betting We regret to announce the death of Mr. Worley, for many years stud groom at Hampton Court ; a man not better known than respected on the Turf. He was in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Richard Cotton, the jockey, has left Newmarket for Madras. The Metropolitan Handicap has closed with 102 nominations. The added money is £350. The Master of the Horse has sanctioned the following alterations in the weights for the Newcastle Royal Plate :-3 years, 7st. 41b.; 4 years, 8st. 10lb. ; 5 years, 9st. 41b. ; 6 years and aged, 9st. 71b. The betting during the last few weeks has been unusually slack, even for December, John Scott making the most of what there has been with Newminster, who may be reported a very rising favourite, with a promise of being even better still. We should say his friends, 50 far, are not by any means satisfied. The Lightfoot rush by this has somewhat subsided, though the horse has been backed again for comparatively a good deal of money; at, however, the standing price still. Balsamo, in a less degree perhaps, comes with the same “fond” introduction from the non-professional public ; in most quarters he is inquired after and backed. Of the favourites, Prime Minister has undoubtedly had the best share of attention; which, after the way in which he had been shelved, is but a fair turn for turn. Not the least alteration, however, is susceptible in the prices of the other two, despite the close approach of Newminster on the quarter of the nameless nag, and the diminishing figure against the fancy of Wadlow's stable. The Tearaway Colt, which we may explain is Baron Rothschild's, is just announced among the latest arrivals at John Scott's. Beyond these notes, our list, like the man who lost his trumpeter, speaks for itself. For the Chester Cup we have given a summary of a whole month's work—one less interesting, in fact, than it reads. Dec. 2. Dec. 9. Dec. 16. Dec. 23. Dec, 26. THE CHESTER CUP.—500 to 10 agst. Wallflower, 600 to 10 agst. Raby, 1,000 to 20 each agst. Brother to Dongh, Clarissa, Montague, and Cossack ; 1,000 to 15 each agst. Clincher, Won't-you-come-out-to-night, Damask, Musician, The Black Doctor, Langton, Miss Ann, St. Valentine (4 yrs. old), Garforth, and Essedarius ; 2,000 to 25 agst. Mouse; and 1,000 to 10 each agst. Trouncer, Glauca, Cyprus, and The Dahcotah Chief. THE 2,000 Gs. STAKES.—5 to 1 agat. Newminster. THE MATCH BETWEEN VOLTIGEUR AND THE FLYING DUTCHMAN.Even betting EMBELLISHMENTS. RUSSBOROUGH. THE APPROACHING TURF SEASON.-BY CRAVEN . . 75 A MEMORABLE DAY WITH THE QUORN.-BY CHARNWOOD .. PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF TILBURY NOGO, ESQ.; OR, THE THE OLD BERKSHIRE HOUNDS.-BY RABY AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PHEASANT. -EDITED BY SARON, FROM AN ORIGINAL MS. IN HIS POSSESSION MY PIER ACQUAINTANCE-A SKETCH TAKEN AT SOUTHEND. -BY THE AUTHOR OF “ STORIES OF WATERLOO," « WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST," ETC., ETC. BURIED ALIVE; AND CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES OF A SPORTING CHARACTER.-BY IIARRY HIEOVER RUSSBOROUGH, WAO RAN A DEAD HEAT WITH VOLTIGEUR FOR THE ST. LEGER, 1850.-BY CASTOR WANDERINGS BY MANY WATERS-CONNEMARA, KILLERIES, -" WHERE THE HOUNDS DIVIDED."-BY OXONIAN . 141 RACING IN 1825 AND RACING IN 1850.-BY GOLDFINOH : 146 |