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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 generally 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 Corfuexcept 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 yon 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 toid, 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 rook 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 roeks. 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

that I went there a second time ; indeed, I may consider myself fortunate in having been able to see so much of the island as I did. I was enabled to visit almost all the noted places, through the kindness of a friend in the 34th regiment, at that time quartered at Corfu. He very kindly placed his horse at my service he was a fiery little horse, full of life and spirit, very handsome, and of a flea-bitten grey colour ; he had won nearly all the races he had ever started for, and was considered the best little horse in the island ; I have frequently ridden him thirty miles without drawing bit, but I never found him flag or tire. When I fed him, I generally gave him a loaf of bread, of which he was very fond. Many of the horses in Corfu are partly fed on bread ; their condition is good, and they can undergo great fatigue ; they are all small light horses, very quick and active ; a larger horse would soon be knocked up from the hard and hot state of the roads in the summer time. Many of these active little horses come from Albania.

A beautiful view of the island may be obtained from Santa Decca, which is a lofty mountain six miles from Corfu. There is, also, a very pretty little village near, called Chinopiastes, situated on the side of a hill, with a fine row or small avenue of cypress trees leading to it. All the villages here have their own particular costume, and the inhabitants attend the Festa dressed in their best attire. I was not at Corfu at the right time to see one of these grand days, but I am told it is a fine sight, and well worth seeing ; indeed, some of the dresses are very handsome, and from their being varied the effect is greater, I was present at the Carnival, when I saw some curious and odd figures parading the streets, dressed in every description of costume, and masked: the wearers of the masks had certainly taken great pains to pick out the most ugly and frightful ones they could obtain. The Carnival occasions much fun and laughter, but it is tedious from the length of time that it lasts.

The churches in the island are very numerous ; those I visited were very neat and clean, The same attention seemed to be paid to those situated in the country as to those in the town-indeed, I could not help contrasting some of our wretched country churches in England with these neat little edifices in the island of Corfu, and how great was the difference! they were all adorned, more or less, with pictures, and candles of various sizes, and decorations in the shape of small pieces of thin silver and tin, with eyes, legs, arms, &c., stamped upon them, in commemoration, I suppose, of some miraculous cure that had been effected through the virgin, a picture of whom is always to be seen in a prominent part of the church, I invariably found a small vessel of incense burning, which spread a pleasant perfume throughout the building,

The church of St. Maria de Plattatania, near the town of Corfu, is well worth a visit. In a small cloister at the side of the church are some handsome though neat monuments, erected to Count Capo d'Istria and his family. On all occasions, when visiting a church, I found the priests very obliging; they wear long black dresses, and allow their hair and beards to grow to a great length; they wear small black caps on their heads, which they never take off, except at particular parts in the ceremonies of their religion. I witnessed the funeral of a Greek priest. The body was laid in a coffin, and placed in the middle of the church ; the lid of the coffin was taken off, so that the body might be quite ex.

posed to view ; the body was dressed in the full robes of the priest, and his hands rested on a large velvet book. The inside of the coffin was adorned with flowers and ornaments. As the Greeks entered the church they crossed themselves, and kissed the hand of the dead priest, who had been lying in state the whole day; at three o'clock prayers were read, and the coffin was carried to its last resting place, preceded by priests carrying lighted candles, and one of them reading the service. On another occasion, I witnessed a funeral at the cemetery near Corfu. On the friends of the deceased leaving the chapel, a sad scene took place : the husband of the young woman who was dead raised the lid of the coffin, and passionately kissed the corpse, and it was only with great difficulty that his friends removed him.

I derived much pleasure from making excursions into Albania for the purpose of shooting. This is an excellent field for a sportsman, as he can get such variety of game ; indeed, every thing from the deer and grizzly boar down to the jack snipe. The wild duck and woodcock shooting is generally quite first-rate, though it sometimes varies according to the season. Albania is under quarantine ; it is therefore necessary to make some little preparation beforehand, and to prevent any contact with the natives, the Ionian government insists, upon any party going there, that two guardians are taken also. The yacht or boat is left under the care of one guardian, who is to see that nobody touches it ; the other is to go with the shooting party, who take great care not to touch any thing that belongs to the Albanians, otherwise they would be placed in quarantine for seven days.

I always went over to Albania in a neat little yacht called “ The Favourita," belonging to two officers of the 34th regiment, so had very little trouble about any thing, except my own shooting things. We generally went on board the “ Favourita” at night, and slept there, and in the morning found ourselves close to our shooting quarters. Corfu is separated from Albania by a channel not more than ten miles in its greatest breadth, and in the narrowest part not above three.

Some time back (I believe in 1837) a serious affray took place between Prince Pierre Napoleon, son of Lucien Bonaparte, and some Albanians. The prince and his friends were in Albania, when some misunderstanding arose between him and a party of Albanians ; shots were exchanged, and two of the latter were severely wounded. In consequence of this, the Albanians were greatly exasperated, and the officers of the garrison at Corfu, who had been in the habit of shooting in Albania, and who had always managed to keep clear of any collision with these people, were for a time prohibited from landing there ; the Ionian government refusing a guardian from the Health Office at Corfu, without which guardian nobody would be exempt from quarantine, from seven to twenty-one days, according to the prevalence of the plague, more or less, in the Ottoman dominions. Since this occurrence an arrangement has been made; the Ionian government having allowed the wounded persons a few hundred dollars as a compensation for the injury they received ; shooting was then again allowed, provided the parties going there always took guardians with them. The shooting in Albania is as fine as can be imagined ; game is plentiful, the coverts are large and very thick, and some of the most troublesome thorns are to be found there I ever met with : they are just like fish-hooks, regular “ wait-a-bit"

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