A price is fixed upon all the lots, and every information may be readily obtained by writing to the Stud Groom, who is well acquainted with his pleasing profession. To the numerous Foreigners who are desirous of procuring some of our best English blood, there cannot be a better selection offered, and as a "home supply" it would, indeed, be difficult to find a "better market."

London, January 10, 1843.

THE SPORTSMAN IN CANADA.

BY FREDERIC TOLFREY, ESQ.

AUTHOR OF "THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE."

Of all Military Quarters in "foreign parts," I should say that Lower Canada is assuredly the pleasantest and Quebec the gayest of Garrisons, at least it was so at the time I write of; and if report speak truly, the Guards, who have lately returned, will bear me out in asserting that it has lost none of its attractions to this day. The society was of the very first order, and some of the families resident in the capital of Lower Canada would have shed a lustre on any "reunion" in the kingdom. At the age of one or two-and-twenty, one is apt to view everything couleur de rose; but where all that makes life desirable was placed within my reach, without one iota of alloy to detract from unqualified enjoyment, it is not to be wondered at if I passed my time agreeably. The Heads of the Military Departments were all happy Benedicks, and their amiable and fascinating sposas made their houses our homes whenever we chose to present ourselves; and those petticoatloving youngsters, who preferred intellectual female society to the full-dress conversation of a regimental mess-table and swallowing black-strap, were sure of a cordial welcome within their hospitable salons. Dinners, balls, evening parties (stigmatised by the soubriquet of "tea and turn out"), were frequently the prelude to a pleasant impromptu dance, much to the detriment of Brussels and Kidderminster carpets, but which the hostesses as little heeded as their obliging goodnatured daughters did the fatiguing duty of playing country-dances and quadrilles for their Terpsichorean guests. The dancing beaus (quorum pars MINIMA fui) were in great request; so much so, that I was seldom disengaged for six days, or rather evenings, out of the seven. In the year of grace one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, those most independent as well as sociable parties termed "pic-nics" were in great force at Quebec, and two or three times in a week these unceremonious meetings occurred. There is not any spot that I am acquainted with which presents so many attractions to the connoisseur in magnificent scenery, as well as the amateurs of pigeon-pies and cold lamb and salad al fresco, as the environs of the city of Quebec. Here the "grass-squatter," with knife and fork in hand, will be in his ele

ment; and whether the point of attraction be the beautiful falls of the Chaudiére (which have been justly styled Niagara in miniature), the imposing cascade of Montmorenci, the picturesque Island of Orleans, or the romantic villages of "Indian," or "Old Lorette," the eye (if the rambling votary of pic-nic fare be a lover and admirer of nature) will be gratified, while the inward man is being comforted by the ample cheer provided on such occasions.

These out-door feeds are in truth very pleasant affairs if the party be judiciously arranged; and as there was no lack of discriminating caterers, as well as organizers of our rural fêtes, they invariably passed off to the unequivocal enjoyment of all. On the Island of Orleans, and at the villages of Old and Indian Lorette, we usually repaired to the house of the principal resident, where we were sure of a cordial reception and every facility being afforded for making us comfortable. On these occasions, a Canadian "Paganini," or one or two scientific scrapers of cat-gut selected from out of the regimental bands, were in attendance, and on the tables being cleared at the conclusion of the Salmagundi repast, the day's diversions were wound up by a merry roundelay.

During one of these excursions to the Island of Orleans about the middle of August, as I was doing the amiable with one of our fair friends during a stroll on the borders of the river, we put up several snipes, some of which were in wisps. Upon my mentioning the circumstance to one of my brother Sportsmen on returning to our rendezvous at dinner, the landlord of the house gave us to understand that these delicate migratories had arrived for the season in considerable numbers, and that we might anticipate much sport. On returning to the Garrison that evening, I lost no tine in apprising the Major of the circumstance, and I also communicated the joyful intelligence to my other allies, Captain Griffiths and Mr. Hamilton. To my regret I found that neither Major Browne nor Captain Griffiths could absent themselves from the Garrison for some days to come, as their regiment (the 103d) was about to be inspected by the Commander-inChief, and their time would be fully occupied in preparing their welldisciplined corps for the grand field-day. Having failed with my military friends, I tried the civilian, and proceeded forthwith to Mr. Hamilton, who being a man of peace, and consequently not under martial law, I hoped to find prepared to join me in a crusade to the marshes. Alas! I was again doomed to disappointment, for my brother Sportsman was hors de combat, as he was laboring under a severe attack of liver, and was laid flat on his back by the prostrating effects of those irresistible floorers of bilious subjects, calomel and blue pill. This was damper No. 2, and I returned to my lodgings in a most disconsolate mood, sorely discomfited at losing the opportunity of being escorted to the snipe-ground by one or more of the above-named experienced Knights of the Trigger, for I had hoped to have opened the campaign under their auspices. As I was sitting in my dressing-gown and slippers discussing a glass of "cold-without" preparatory to going to roost, my mournful reverie was broken in upon by the sudden entrance of Mr. Wood, a jolly Lieutenant of Artillery, who had been one of our party at the pic-nic in the morning, and who, on our return to the Garrison, had gone post-haste to the dwelling of a Mr. Grant, one of the

most wealthy, influential, and opulent merchants in the city of Quebec. In addition to his proverbial hospitality, he was justly renowned for conviviality and good fellowship, and, as a climax to these good and rare qualities, was a capital Sportsman and first-rate snipe-shot. Having had the pleasure of being introduced to this Gentleman, I had on more than one occasion partaken of his good cheer, and he had deputed Mr. Wood as his ambassador to wait upon me, and request I would accompany them both on the morrow down the River as far as Green Island, some sixty miles below the Island of Orleans. I need scarcely say with what glee I accepted this tempting invitation; neither need I describe the pleasing transition from doleful dumps to joyful anticipation. I took a second tumbler of "cold-without" on the strength of the good news, in which I was joined by the welcome messenger. Mr. Wood informed me that Mr. Grant had arranged that we were to take an early dinner with him, and start in his boat with the ebb tide for the insular swamp, where I was assured we should find snipes in abundance. Before we parted for the night, Mr. Wood and myself made our arrangements as to the quality and quantity of the prog we should carry, and, late as it was, a message was sent forthwith to our mess-man (for the Officers of the Royal Artillery had paid me the complimeut of admitting me as an honorary member of their wellappointed mess) to prepare with the least possible delay a veal pie, a rump-steak ditto, a ham, and a couple of tongues; to which were to be superadded a proportionate allowance of bottled stout, Hodgson's pale ale, sherry, and brandy. These creature-comforts were in readiness at the appointed hour, and sent to Mr. Grant's countinghouse in the Lower Town, as from the wharf adjoining his mercantile premises we were to embark at five o'clock.

At three we were seated at his hospitable board, by appointment, in his snug Bachelor's College in the Upper Town, and Mr. Wood and myself having done ample justice to the good cheer, we accompanied our liberal host to the water-side, and were soon comfortably seated in Mr. Grant's pleasure-boat. The tide, as I have before said, was in our favor, but scarcely a breath of wind, so that we were fain compelled to enlist a stout Canadian to assist Mr. Grant's boatman, as it did not require "a Murphy" to prophesy that the oars would be in requisition. It was a beautiful evening, and we glided down the magnificent stream at a very satisfactory pace, enjoying the splendid scenery as we lay in the boat puffing a mild Havannah, and picturing to ourselves the havoc we should commit in the swamp on the morrow. Our trip by water was a more tedious affair than I had bargained for; but we contrived to while away the hours with conversation, singing, smoking cigars, and tippling brandy-and-water. As the night set in, a breeze sprang up, but unfortunately right in our teeth. We consequently did not reach our destination until one o'clock in the morning-that is to say, our boat stuck fast, by no means high and dry, in a long mudbank, forming the extreme point of Green Island. From this narrow neck of filth to the farm-house where we were to take up our quarters was an uneven surface of morass and bog of above a milea very pleasant prospect at such an hour. By dint of a trifling pecuniary bribe, and the promise of a bottle of rum, the brawny Cana

VOL. I.-THIRD SERIES, N. S.-No. 2.

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dian who had accompanied us undertook to wade through the ooze, carrying us in turns on his back from the boat to terra firma. This with some difficulty he accomplished, although he nearly spilt the Artillery man more than once, seeing that he weighed as much as Mr. Grant and myself put together, for Mr. Wood stood somewhat about six feet one or two in his stockings, and was stout in proportionrather a ponderous log to carry over a slimy surface, or rather through slippery mud.

This operation caused no little mirth; but the laborious task was ably performed, and as soon as we were safe on our legs, our surefooted biped was sent back to the boat for our guns, which having obtained, Mr. Grant led the way to the farm-house, the proprietor of which owned nearly half the Island, and under whose roof Mr. Grant invariably lodged whenever he paid this spot a visit, which was generally two or three times in the season. Our "Cicerone" led the way, if way it could be called, for neither road nor path was there to guide our steps; but as the Island ran from East to West, we could not very well go wrong in walking in a direct line from our boat. This said mile appeared to me the longest I had ever trotted over, for what with hillocks, holes, long grass, reeds, rushes, and other impediments, our progression towards the goal of promise was none of the pleasantest. To my unfeigned delight, "the watch-dog's honest bark" gave token of our approach to some habitation, and in a few minutes afterwards the white-washed walls of an extensive building gave promise of shelter and repose. Nor was I mistaken. We were at the farm of Pierre Larosse, whom we incontinently aroused from his slumbers, as well as his cara sposa and two fubsy daughters. The uxorious landholder tore himself from the arms of his larger half, and quitting his warm and comfortable bed, poked his head, surmounted by half a yard of white cotton night-cap, out of his window, and in most delicious patois inquired "Qu'est la ?"

"C'est moi," replied Mr. Grant.

"Mais qu'est vous done?" continued the interrogator.

*“Monsieur Grant et deux amis," rejoined our master of the cere monies.

"Hah! hah! Monsieur Gran! pardi! bien aise vous voir, Monsieur. Dis donc, ma femme (turning himself half round from the window), lève toi donc. Voici des chasseurs! Monsieur Gran est arrivé: dépêche toi donc. Appelle Lolotte et Josephine, qu'on allume du feu: vite donc et dis donc ma femme-donne moi mon cor (an ominous article to ask of a wife, but it was hoped this was the only one she helped him to), que j'eveille François."

Whereupon our complaisant host in embryo thrust his head, shoulders, and night-cap out of the window, and blew a lusty tantarum from his cowhorn, and a villanous blast it was. This horrible discord, however, possessed one merit-that of effecting the object which called it forth, viz. rousing the slumbering youth of all-work, the slavey of the farm. Young François having responded, in a state of semisomnolency, to the inharmonious call, the worthy owner of the mansion withdrew his portly person as soon as he had assured us that we should be instantly admitted within his domicile; and we could hear him

repeating to himself sotto voce, "attendez, attendez un p'tit moment; vous entrerez de suite." We were not long kept in suspense, the undoubted proprietor of the voluminous white cotton night-cap appearing almost immediately at the door, which having thrown open, he invited us most cordially to enter and warm ourselves in his cuisine.

Here we found "ma femme," Lolotte, and Josephine, all three en demie-toilette, but cheerfully and zealously exerting themselves to make us comfortable and give us a warm reception. One of the daughters was piling some fagots on the hearth, while the other, having succeeded in striking a light, and damaging her knuckles under the operation (lucifer matches were unknown in those days), was on her knees puffing most vigorously in the laudable endeavour to kindle a flame. Her exertions were crowned with success: the logs and brush-wood were speedily in a blaze, and we seated ourselves round the cheerful open chimney, while la bonne femme was dislodging from a huge armoire some snow-white sheets and pillow-cases for the beds about to be prepared for us.

François (I did not envy him the trudge) was sent by our host down to the boat to assist the two men in bringing her up the creek, which ran very near the house at high water. Lacking our well-stored hampers, we pitched into some fried eggs and rancid salt pork, washed down with a most flatulent frothy beverage, which the worthy farmer in the innocence of his heart conceived to be beer. As this effervescing liquid was by no means to my taste, I asked for some brandy. Ă stone flagon of fiery spirit was placed before me, and the gentle Lelotte having at my desire boiled some water in a tin shaving-pot, I brewed a glass of toddy, and my companions having followed my example, we began to think of our beds. Before we turned in for the night, we ascertained from our host that the snipes were on the Island in great numbers, and that we were certain of excellent sport. This was a consolatory reflection to go to sleep upon, and we sought our couches in high spirits, looking forward to the morrow with no little anxiety. Our beds, as indeed they are throughout the Canadas, were excellent. This is one of the many French customs religiously observed; for, as in France, every farm-house-indeed I might say every peasant's but-is admirably supplied with this luxary. A thoroughly good French mattress is worth all the feather-beds that England ever produced; and it is an undeniable fact, that they have the knack, or as they term it the chique, of amalgamating wool and horse-hair so scientifically as to render their matelas soft and elastic to an enviable degree. Upon such a bed was it my good fortune to seek repose on the night I am recording; and I had scarcely ensconced myself between the home-spun linen sheets ere I discovered that my comfortable couch had been well aired, for a certain unmistakable animal warmth assured me that the elastic mattress on which I was enjoying horizontal reflection had been lately pressed by real flesh and blood. Thus had the gentle Lolotte or the fascinating Josephine done duty for the warmingpan during our nocturnal excursion down the St. Lawrence. One or other of the chubby daughters of my host had unwittingly contributed to my comfort; and I am not quite certain, before slumber steeped my senses in forgetfulness, that I was not profane enough to wish for