is annoying in the extreme to the sanguine shooter; but in spite of these impediments we shot our way downwards, and as much in line as circumstances would admit of. Captain Griffiths and myself felt the ill effects of the insidious draughts of which we had so heedlessly partaken on the previous night, but we in time overcame all nervous feeling and trepidation, and shot very respectably. As we left the village behind us, the birds increased in number, and by the time we had traversed a mile of the marsh they were literally and truly swarming around us. It so happened that we were the first Sportsmen who had come down for the season, and as consequently not a gun had been fired amongst the new arrivals we had the cream of the fun, and fun it was, as far as the shooting went. I had but one fault to find with it, and that was the birds being too plentiful, for in truth there were sufficient even scattered over the short distance I had traversed to have stocked the Lincolnshire fens for a century to come.

In sober earnest, the quantity of snipes congregated in this said marsh of Chateau Richer was, dans toute la force de terme, marvellous. It so far exceeded my most sanguine expectations at the time, and what I have seen since in all the marshes I have visited in different parts of the world, that I am rather apprehensive, in giving an account of the prodigious slaughter committed by our party, of being classed with those highly imaginative archers who are proverbial for using long bows-or rather setting up as a target the credulity of their friends, and drawing upon it with their powers of invention. But as I am not the only snipe-shooter by many hundreds who have dealt death and destruction amongst the Canadian snipes in this unrivalled swamp, and as I can conscientiously refer the Reader to ore and all of my fellowcountrymen who have had the good fortune to sail up the St. Lawrence, I stand not in awe of the hackneyed sarcasm, "travellers tell strange things;" and as an honest chronicler I will state facts, startling though they be, as they fell under my own personal observation.

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To resume then. Before twelve o'clock I had expended my ammunition; not a charge of powder or shot had I left; and, as a signal of distress, I held up my empty powder-flask to the Major after giving him a view-halloo to direct his attention to my forlorn situation. He pointed to a large tree about a couple of hundred yards from the spot where I stood, and which appeared to be close to the high road. I was not mistaken, for on reaching it, I found the estimable Dan, with a basket containing canisters of powder, a bag of shot, a huge bundle of tow, and lots of wadding." Maybe your gun's foul, Sir," said the civil fellow "the Major always makes this tree his randy-vow, and I wash his gun when he's down here at this spot, while he takes a small sup and rests himself: there's a nice little spring quite handy, and I'll have your barrels as clane as new in no time." Whereupon he set to work instanter, and by the time my companions joined me, my little "Nock" (one of old Henry's, and the best little double for covert I ever owned during the dynasty of the flints) was ready for action again. All the other guns stood in need of a similar restorative, and while Dan was pumping the filth out of the soiled barrels, we sat down and compared notes. The Major had killed close upon forty couple ; Mr. Hamilton nearly as many; I had managed to knock over twenty

eight and a half; and Captain Griffiths some three or four birds short of this number: and this was the work of very little more than three hours. Having refreshed ourselves with a small drop of the "cratur” diluted with some deliciously cool water from the neighbouring rill, we betook ourselves once more to the bog, as Dan would persist in calling it; but before he took his leave of us, or rather we of him, he informed his master, that, in obedience to his instructions, he had forwarded to Quebec by one of the market-carts the snipes we had killed the night before, the larger proportion to the messman of the 103d Regiment, and the rest to the caterer for the mess of the Royal Artillery.

After thanking the provident Major for thinking of my brother convives in the Garrison, I followed the example of my comrades, and went to work right merrily, by no means sorry to have emptied my pockets: indeed we had all of us loaded Dan with our birds, which would scarcely have been eatable had they remained in our pockets, jammed to a mummy, and under so warm a sun as we were out in; for upon more than one occasion, while shooting in Canada early in autumn, I have brought home snipes in a state of putrefaction although not shot above a few hours. Our afternoon's sport was fully equivalent to that of the morning, and although exceedingly tired and exhausted by our exertions, we returned home by five o'clock in high glee at our success. My pockets were crammed full of birds; and even at this distant period I can well remember the feeling of exultation with which I displayed the proofs of my skill on the dresser in the kitchen of Madame Françoise. The sums total of the day's work ran as follows:-Major Browne, 89 couple; Mr. Hamilton, 76 couple; myself, 59 couple; and Captain Griffiths, 51 couple. This must to the European Reader appear extraordinary, if not incredible: the statement, however, is strictly and to the letter true; and in corroboration of it I have only to add, that in the early part of the following season, Major Browne and Mr. Hale, the Paymaster General to the forces, did much more than this-the former killing 116 couple, and the latter 111 couple; but they were both first-rate shots, and fell in with the birds as they arrived in the swarms we found them.

Having washed off our mud and cleaned ourselves, as Dan would have it, we fell to at the prog like so many famished aldermen; and oh, joy of joys! after dinner the long wished-for green seal made its appearance: the verdant wax was shaved off with a skill that long practice alone renders perfect; the yielding velvety cork was scientifically abstracted, and the purple, bright, and fragrant juice was soon transferred by the masterly hand of its owner into an old narrow-necked French decanter, which bore more resemblance to an antique waterbottle than anything else, but which I will be sworn never before held such exquisite stuff: only three bottles of this nectar did we drink; but the unspeakable comfort the contents afforded us is not to be described.

We went to bed as sober as Father Mathew himself, and repeated our visit to the swamp on the following day. The birds were more scattered, and not so numerous; but our sport was still excellent, as our messmates in the Garrison could testify, for we supplied them with snipes during our stay, reserving only a few for our own consumption. We remained until the Saturday, when, having consumed everything

VOL. L-THIRD SERIES, N, S-No. 4.

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eatable and drinkable, and thinned this portion of the swamp very perceptibly, we took boat with the flood-tide after breakfast, and reached Quebec safe and sound after six days of unqualified enjoyment in the swamp of Chateau Richer.

In my next I shall offer a few observations on the guns of a quarter of a century ago and those of the present day. For the present, my paper not only cries out Amen, but I fear also I may have exceeded the space our worthy Editor allots to his contributors.-Till next month then, vale!

OUR FASHIONABLE RACING STALLIONS FOR 1843, BY Q "AT THE CORNER."

(Concluded from our March Number, page 213.)

MANY of my Readers will recollect the Derby 1835, won by Mundig, beating Ascot, after one of the finest races ever known over the Epsom Downs, and twelve others. Amongst the beaten ones were Silenus and Ibrahim, two crack favorites from the nursery of poor old Edwards, and the property of Lord Jersey. During the spring of 1835, these colts played a most profitable see-saw game in the Derby betting to those who had the "right office," for the superiority of Ibrahim over his stable companion was known only to a very select few. Ibrahim did manage to run off with some important Stakes, but Silenus, if my memory does not "play me false," remained a maiden to his last gallop, and he ran till he was aged.

SILENUS, I perceive, is either to be let or sold for the covering season he is a chesnut horse, rather under size, was bred by Lord Jersey in 1832, got by Reveller out of Trampoline by Tramp, grandam Web by Waxy, &c. I have been told by a very competent judge, that the stock of Silenus, now rising two years old, are of great size and very handsome. For price and particulars, apply to Mr. G. Scott, Bednall, near Stafford. If not disposed of, Silenus will serve mares at Bednall Head at 5 sovs. each thorough-bred, and 2 sovs. each half-bred. The pedigree of this stallion must get him a decent supply of mares.

There are two famous stallions standing at Bretby Park, Ashby-dela-Zouch-Don John and Hornsea.

DON JOHN is a bay horse, was bred by Mr. Garforth in 1885, and sold when a foal to Mr. Robert Ridsdale for 100gs. He was afterwards sold to Lord Chesterfield for 140gs. at the sale of Mr. Ridsdale's stud. Don John stands nearly sixteen hands high, was got by either Tramp or Waverley out of a Comus mare bred by Mr. Garforth in 1820 or 1821, her dam Marciana by Stamford out of Marcia by Coriander-Faith by Pacolet-Atalanta by Matchem-Lass-of-theMill by Oronoko-Old Traveller (Sister to Mr. Clark's Lass-of-the

Mill)-Miss Makeless by Young Greyhound-Old Partner-Woodcock-Croft's Bay Barb-Makeless-Brimmer-Dicky PiersonBurton Barb mare. I have been thus particular in wading through Don John's pedigree, because he unquestionably was the fastest horse of his day. He won the St. Leger, and that too in a canter, in less time than any other horse, viz. in three minutes seventeen seconds!— At two years old, Don John won his three engagements very easily indeed; and at the Craven Meeting 1838, when three years old, he walked over for the snug prize of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., four subs.-At Doncaster, ridden by Wm. Scott, Don John won the St. Leger Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., sixty-six subs., beating lon, Lanercost, Saintfoin, Cobham, Alzira, and The Hydra; 13 to 8 agst Don John, 9 to 4 agst Ion, 9 to 2 agst Lanercost, 9 to 1 agst Saintfoin, and long odds against any other. -On the Thursday in the same Meeting, he, carrying 7st. 3fb. (Nat), won the Gold Cup, value 450 sovs., given by the Stewards, with 50 sovs. added by the Corporation, for three-year-olds and upwards, from the Red House and once round, two miles and five furlongs, beating Bee's-wing, 5 yrs, 8st. 10fb.; The Doctor, 4 yrs, 8st. 3fb.; and Melbourne, 4 yrs, 8st. 3lb.: 2 to 1 on Don John: won very easy.Don John also, at the same Meeting, walked off with the Gascoigne Stakes of 100 sovs. each, 30 ft., St. Leger Course, five subs.; and finished a splendid year by walking over at Heaton Park for the St. Leger Stakes of 25 sovs. each, for three-year-olds, thirteen subs. These were his whole performances in 1838.-At the Craven Meeting 1839, Don John, then four years old, was beaten by Grey Momus (John Day) for the Port Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for four-yearolds, colts 8st. 7b., fillies 8st. 4lb., the second to save his Stake, T. M. M., eleven subs. Don John was second, and Alemdar third. Grey Momus won quite in a canter, much to the dismay of the Scotts.In the First Spring Meeting, Don John (H. Edwards) closed his racing career by winning the valuable Sweepstakes of 300 sovs. each, 100 ft., for four-year-olds, colts 8st. 7b., fillies 8st. 2lb., B. C., ten subs., beating Alemdar and Morella.-Don John's figure for serving mares is 15gs. each, and one guinea to the groom. Several of the best mares of Lord Chesterfield's stud are already "booked" to this fashionable horse, who bids fair to become highly popular amongst our fancy breeders.

That celebrated runner and fine animal HORNSEA is a worthy stable companion. Hornsea is a chesnut horse, was bred in 1832, got by Velocipede out of a Cerberus mare, her dam Miss Cranfield by Sir Peter, &c. &c. Velocipede was got by Blacklock out of a Juniper mare, and Blacklock was got by Whitelock.-In the early part of the spring of 1835, Hornsea, then the property of Mr. Richardson, was a prominent favorite for the Derby, but the Stable (Scott's) had other flyers in Mundig, Coriolanus, &c., and Hornsea was left to be in season at Doncaster, where he ran second to the renowned Queen of Trumps for the St. Leger, beating nine others; amongst them, Preserve, Ascot, Mundig, and Sheet Anchor.-At four years old, Hornsea proved himself one of the best horses of the year, by winning the following highly-important races, and beating most of the "cracks of the day :"-the Gold Cup, value 300 sovs., with 480 sovs. in specie, at Goodwood; 290 sovs. and

the King's Plate of 100gs. at Egham; the Cup, with 200 sovs., and the King's Plate, at Newmarket.-Hornsea, at five years old, won the Gold Cup, with 80 sovs. in specie, at Brighton; and Her Majesty's Plate of 100gs., at Egham.-I entertain a very strong opinion that Hornsea will become one of the leading stallions of the day. Cataract, one of his sons, is a most promising animal; and I, with many others, have made him responsible for something handsome in the coming Derby. This colt is the property of the Duke of Grafton, and consequently is in training at Newmarket under the care of Stephenson. Most of Hornsea's sons and daughters carry a strong dash of the Velocipede about them.-Hornsea's figure for covering is unquestionably low, viz. 10gs. each mare, and one guinea the groom. I understand that several of the prime Newmarket mares are about to be sent to this fashionable and valuable horse. He is the property of Lord Chesterfield.

My old acquaintance COLWICK may be found at the Dringhouses, York. He is a brown horse, was foaled in 1828, got by the celebrated Filho da Puta out of Stella by Sir Oliver, her dam by Anvil, &c. Filho da Puta was got by Haphazard out of Mrs. Barnet by Waxy, her dam by Woodpecker, &c.-The performances of Colwick have been so frequently discussed in the pages of the SPORTING MAGAZINE, that it would be only telling a "twice told tale" to wade through all his doings on the slippery sod: suffice it to say, that he ran against all the best horses of his time, carrying in general heavy weights and "staying" long distances. When first put to the stud he served a few mares at one guinea each, nor was it till the appearance of Attila as a two-yearold winner, that Lord Chesterfield was aware that Colwick was worthy of some well-bred mares. Perhaps few horses have been more hardly dealt with than old Colwick.-The price of covering mares is 15gs. each, with one guinea to the groom.-The gallant style in which Attila won the Derby brought Colwick from the "ranks" to a commanding position as a racing stallion, and I have no doubt he will be found worthy of patronage.

Mus, own Brother to the late flatcatcher Rat-trap, stands at Goodwood, Sussex. He is a rich bay, with black legs, and close upon sixteen hands in height, with a capital constitution. Mus was got by Bizarre out of Young Mouse by Godolphin-Mouse by Sir DavidLouisa by Ormond out of Orville's dam. Mus ran on till ten years old, and that alone ought to get him a fair quantity of good mares.-His running, taken in a lump, will bear the "strictest investigation," and his pedigree is a good one. I need only name one exploit to prove that Mus could race: when eight years old, he, carrying 9st. 9fb., won the Orleans Cup, value 500gs., two miles and three quarters, beating Hyllus, 5 yrs, 8st. 10lb.-Rat-trap's performances in 1837 and 1838 are too well known to all racing men, therefore I need not allude to them here he died in the spring of 1839.-Mus is exceedingly likely to get useful stock. The figure for covering is 10 sovs. each mare.-I apprehend that My Lord George Bentinck will send some of his weedy Bay Middleton mares to this useful stallion: there could scarcely be recommended a better cross. It has fallen to my lot to have witnessed most of Mus's races, and I always noticed, that if he was not the winner, he was sure to be there-or-thereabouts.