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them sore. A more wanton act of cruelty can scarcely be suggested, or one more likely to produce inflammation, and subsequent lameness. As a convincing proof that horses take very little exercise at grass calculated to produce any beneficial effects, I may add that no horse, when so treated, is in good wind; and that it requires some time after he is taken into work before the important functions of the lungs can be brought into a proper state.

As a contrast to the generality of autumnal seasons, and especially the two last, which were very dry, up to the present time the weather has been quite the reverse. The rain which fell during the summer has rendered the land in good order; and the exceedingly heavy dews which prevail, and which are not dispelled before the powers of the midday sun, have had their effect; the earth is kept in a moist and highly favourable state for hunting. In many countries the fields not being cleared of the crops, the necessary preliminaries of cub-hunting have been postponed beyond the period which an early harvest permits. The reports from most quarters respecting the foxes are highly satisfactory ; with few exceptions the vulpine race is abundant, and I imagine, taking the kingdom throughout, they were never before so numerous. A few game-preservers may still listen to their keepers, and yield to their persuasions in allowing the foxes to be destroyed ; but the number of vulpesides are daily decreasing, and those who sanction such proceedings scarcely ever acknowledge the fact. It is, however, a source of great annoyance to the Worcestershire Hunt, that their sport is very seriously injured by the hostility shewn by one gentleman, and from which circumstance many blank days were the result last season. The coverts being centrically situated, the devastation is extensive. The practice has been continued on the estate to which I allude for years. The motive cannot arise from any objection or disapproval of the respective masters of the hounds, because the same course has been persevered in during the management of at least four different gentlemen ; but rather in a mistaken notion as to the imaginary depredations of the foxes, and a morbid indifference about the sports of the country; and, withal, there is not that abundance of game which may be seen on many other estates where the foxes are held sacred. Indeed, I have almost invariably found it to be the case, that where foxes are recklessly murdered, the game is not so extensively numerous as that circumstance would lead one to expect. This arises either from incompetence or far more discreditable failings in keepers.

If gentlemen who are so exceedingly opposed to the preservation of foxes, and consequently to the amusement of their friends and neighbours, the country in general, and the welfare of the farmers, would content themselves with preventing the vixens from laying down cubs on their estates, so much dissatisfaction would not exist. This is very easily accomplished, by disturbing without destroying them, at the proper period; but when all sorts of devices are resorted to in the way of traps, engines, guns, or poison, for the purpose of killing them, old or young, whenever they come upon the property, the havoc made among those bred on other estates is very extensive. They are almost invariably taken by what may be termed clandestine means. Now, suppose a great game-preserver were to have his pheasants lured away to an adjoining estate, and there trapped, slaughtered, and taken, by means not recognised in the vocabulary of fair sporting, how would he like that? There are methods of attracting pheasants great distances, and literally it would be quite as justifiable as the destruction of foxes bred in neighbouring coverts. Any depredations which foxes commit among game are very insignificant ; unless during the breeding season they may surprise a hen pheasant on her nest ; and that they would not do if they were liberally supplied, as they ought to be, with rabbits, rooks, and such like vermin, laid about the vicinity of the earths. The trouble which this occasions to keepers is an inducement to some to wish for the destruction of the whole of the wily family; but if this duty is assiduously performed, the vixens will not stray far for food.

Any sceptical individual, who requires conviction on the practicability of preserving both game and foxes, need only take the opportunity of meeting the Duke of Beaufort's hounds when they draw Mr. Holford's coverts at Weston Birt, or other parts of that gentleman's extensive estates. Great credit is due to the keeper, Garland, for strict attention in this respect to his master's orders ; and nothing affords me greater satisfaction than encomiums on the good conduct of a meritorious servant, especially when his services are prominent in what can be fairly denominated public occasions ; under which character the preservation of foxes is justly included. It would be a very disagreeable task to enumerate the keepers who, whether with or without their employers' directions, are in the habit of destroying the foxes ; but it is quite a different affair to mention those in favourable terms where the execution of their duties manifests itself every time the coverts are drawn of which they have the charge. It then becomes a matter of public notoriety whether foxes are preserved or not. I do not, however, wish to be misunderstood on this point, that the circumstance of a favourite covert being occasionally drawn blank is to draw forth denouncement on the head of the keeper ; but when coverts are generally drawn without finding in them, there must be causes whereof the keeper is the instrument.

JULES GERARD, THE AFRICAN LION KILLER.

BY WILLIAM JONES.

It was at the commencement of the year 1848, at a dinner given at Havre to Jules Gerard by a few of his countrymen, to celebrate his return from Algeria, that I became acquainted with this intrepid hunter, whose encounters with the king of beasts in the wilds of Africa, not only excited the wonder of the Arab population, but have resounded throughout the length and breadth of Christendom.

Figuring to myself a species of Gorgantua, a Van Amburgh, endowed with herculean properties, added to the vivacious temperament of a Frenchman, I was greatly surprised to find myself in the presence of a young man, delicate, and almost feminine in appearance, with small white hands, and a look in which sweetness was blended with a calm and serious expression of countenance, although a close observer might remark traces of that energy and indomitable courage which have so remarkably distinguished his career. From having so long sojourned amongst the children of the Desert, Gerard appeared to have acquired much of the tranquil dignity of their manners. Taciturn, the few words which he uttered were pointed and expressive ; and the rich costume which he wore as Marechal de Logis of the Spahis, rendered him an object from which it was difficult to withdraw the attention during the evening. Near to him was seated M. Delegorgue, the celebrated traveller and elephant hunter ; and the rest of the company consisted of about fifty choice and frank convives, lovers of the chace, well prepared to do honour to the festive occasion which had united them.

The banquet took place in a large saloon of the Hotel Frascati, which was brilliantly lighted and hung around with implements of the chase used in various countries ; while upon the table was placed an enormous lion, flanked on either side by a gazelle and antelope, stuffed with great skill. The president on this occasion was Count d'Houdelot, a keen and thorough sportsman, and a type of the perfect French gentlemanaffable, intelligent, and self-possessed. He acquitted himself to the evident satisfaction of all present; and in awarding all the honours of the entertainment to the two distinguished guests of the evening, contrived adroitly to bring into play the convivial talents of all the company, aiding with his own voice to chaunt the glories of the chace.

The memory of this very pleasant and social meeting will not easily be effaced ; especially as Count d'Houdelot (with his usual kindness) procured me some particulars of the life of Jules Gerard, which have never yet been brought before the public.

The “ Lion-slayer," as he is emphatically termed by the Arabs, was born in 1817 at Pignans, in the arrondissement of Toulon; and is the son of an honourable functionary of the place, who, prematurely removed from his children by death, left a reputation for kindness of heart and integrity, which is the most precious patrimony to a family. At the age of fifteen years Jules had nearly completed his education ; and being of a robust frame, entered with ardour into all sports of a violent character, and especially that of hunting, in which he soon obtained a high character for courage and dexterity.

On the attainment of his majority, feeling predisposed to a soldier's life, Gerard resolved to enlist in a regiment ; but was prevented in his purpose by the entreaties of his mother-in-law. To conceal his mortification he determined upon travelling, thinking that time and change of scene would dissipate the ideas of military glory which he had encouraged ; and with this view he proceeded to Italy and Malta, but finding it impossible to overcome his predilections for the army he finally obtained the consent of his friends and embarked for Algeria, where, after assisting in several campaigns, he voluntarily entered himself in the 3rd Regiment of Spahis, then quartered at Boue.

Africa at that time was in commotion; the holy war had roused the Arabs from their habitual torpor. Abd-el-Kader, at the head of a numerous body of troops, animated with a desire of vengeance against the infidels, had obtained some advantages over the French army, and a frightful massacre of the invaders inaugurated on every side the second occupation of the country ; but the Arabs soon lost ground, and a season of comparative tranquillity ensued.

On his first arrival in the corps Gerard, completely absorbed in his

military studies, rarely indulged himself in the pleasures of the chace; the prey consisting of red and grey partridges, hares, and water-fowl, which were so plentiful that the most inexperienced sportsman could not fail of success.

For a long time the environs of Boue were untroubled by any commotion or rumour of war ; and the only service of the garrison consisted in watching at a distance some few tribes who remained yet unsubjected.

Active and ardent, Gerard caused himself to be enrolled amongst the Spahis who were about to push the war in the Guelma, an advanced post on the northern side of the inferior chain of the Atlas ; and he took a part in the expeditions of 1843, 1844, 1845, and 1846, obtaining the honourable distinction of being mentioned twice in the address to the army, and it was thus as a soldier Gerard distinguished himself before obtaining celebrity as a lion killer.

These powerful brutes had at different times committed great devastation in the neighbourhood of Guelma ; and such was the fear they created that for a long period no check to their rapacity had been attempted.

Gerard, who delighted in feats of danger, took a sudden resolution to devote himself to their extermination. One day the news arrived that an old lion had descended the chain of the Atlas, and had laid waste the country of Archevua, situated within a short distance of Guelma. Men and cattle had been carried off by the enormous beast, and the population was in consternation. Gerard at once undertook to face the apimal ; and accompanied only by his dog, a powerful and noble animal, he set out to traverse the vast Plain of Guelma, which is interspersed with ravines, defiles, and small streams, abounding also with vegetation of the most luxuriant description.

After minutely inspecting the scene of the monster's depredations, and made himself perfectly acquainted with the locality, he returned to the encampment, and there quietly awaited the approach of night. Evening had already set in, and the trumpet sounded the signal of repose. A group of soldiers had gathered in the tent that Gerard entered. Some were sipping their coffee, and chatting over the different events of their campaigns; and one amongst them, who had been taken prisoner by the Arabs, and had sojourned some time with them, was chaunting some of their national songs. That of Arsenne, a long and monotonous ballad, arrested Gerard's attention, for it applied to the undertaking on which he was about to venture his life.

Arsenne, a Turk by birth, had acquired under the former beys of Constantine great renown as a lion-hunter, or, rather, lion-entrapper ; and the means he employed were cunning and artifice. At one time mounted in a tree, at another hid in the cavities of rocks ; always sheltered, he contrived to kill a great number of these quadrupeds without once daring to face them. This alone was wanting to complete his glory, and gain the entire heart of her who loved him. One day with her sweet voice she said to him

"Arsenne, hearest thou the roar of a lion in yon mountain ?” "I do,” replied the hero.

“ You must bring me his fleece this night ; not as a trophy of you r dexterity, but as a proof of your courage, for it is in open fight that you must attack the animal.” She spoke, and waited.

Arsenne--the loving Arsenne, to please his affianced, sought the

traces of the lion ; but a few days after the bones of the adventuring hunter were found in a ravine.

Nowise discouraged by the tragical finale of this ditty, Gerard, after lighting his pipe and bidding adieu to his comrades, took his course to the spot where the lion was supposed to be entrenched; but his watch that night was fruitless. The mighty beast had probably gorged himself with his prey of the preceding days, and did not leave his lurking place. The morning found Gerard still on the spot, beating up the bushes and exploring every defile ; hyenas and jackalls crossed his path unmolested, and even a panther had been disregarded had one made its appearance, for by accident one of the barrels of his double-barrelled gun had been rendered useless, and he was desirous of reserving the other for the lion's share.

A Roman would have considered this an ill-omen, but it only served to render Gerard more resolute in his purpose. At length, towards eight o'clock in the evening a terrific roar, which echoed far and wide, announced to the intrepid hunter his enemy. At this fearful cry nature seems to shudder ; other animals flee and hide themselves. Gerard was moved, his heart beat fast, but it was with joy; the same feeling that has animated the breast of a Bayard at the moment of danger. In & few minutes Gerard had gained the spot, his dog hanging back with every mark of terror, not even barking, for the horror of the situation had silenced him ; at a few paces distant stood the majestic animal, his mane floating wildly and his jaws bloody.

The lion at night sees in man a certain prey ; far from flying, he then always attacks him. Gerard knew this well ; so, employing to ad. vantage this eternity of some seconds, he accustomed himself to meet with an unwavering glance the fierce regards of the lion ; and, after coolly adjusting his gun, he fired. The shot entered the animal's head between the eyes, and proved fatal. The lion rolled himself in agony, lashing the ground with his tail furiously; and when the smoke had cleared away, Gerard beheld the royal beast dead at his feet.

The news of this defeat was received with great joy by the populace of the neighbouring villages ; men, women, and children cried with joy, and a scene of festivity ensued in honour of the brave hunter. A long line of transparencies lighted up the surrounding valley, and the body of the lion was carried about with acclamations. It was one of the great kings of the Atlas shot in the full development of vigour and beauty.

Gerard was regarded after this feat with superstitious wonder by the Arabs. They demanded a piece of his clothes to keep as a trophy, & relic, or a mysterious amulet ; like at Lutzen, in 1813, when each man of the company of the 84th Regiment carried, attached to his breast, a little piece of blue cloth torn from the Emperor's cloak.

Gerard was soon called upon again to avenge the cause of humanity. Having occasion to proceed to Malhouna, situated a few miles from Guelma, he found the inhabitants obliged to light fires around their dwellings to keep off a lion who every night made away with their cattle, and whomever crossed his path. At the hunter's command the fires were extinguished, and he engaged to peril himself in order to secure their safety. Better armed this time, and his gun charged with the care habitual to him, Gerard, after looking about for the most convenient

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