The Sporting magazine; or Monthly calendar of the transactions of the turf ...

landed secundem artem in a few minutes. The fish were rising in all directions, and, could they have tuned their musical voices from the bubbling stream, might have aptly replied to the Major's ditty by a quotation from that soul-subduing composition, the imperishable "Towrow-row;" and thus could they have held forth

"Tow-row-row, Paddy, will ye now

Take me while I'm in the humor?

For that's now."

It was now and no mistake. Travellers tell strange things, and have been accused of drawing "the long bow" occasionally. As I have no wish to be classed with these migratory Munchausens, I will not state the number of salmon, peel, and trout taken by our party on this eventful evening. Suffice it to say, the quantity was enormous-I might add incredible. I have never seen anything like it since. trout I killed a prodigious number-nearly twenty brace, and some of them fine fish from two to three pounds. Even the Major himself admitted that he had never caught the "sly rogues," as he termed them, in such a voracious humor. Our fun lasted till dusk, when we reluctantly returned to our quarters on the Bridge.

We remained at Jacques Cartier for three more days, but did not do any like the execution I have stated on this evening. We sent by that night's mail-cart a huge basket of fish, to be distributed amongst our friends at Quebec, and on our return to the garrison received the thanks of the gourmands who had partaken of them.

Of the society in the capital of Lower Canada I shall speak in the next chapter, when I shall also record some adventures which befel a snipe-shooting party to Green Island, quorum pars MINIMA fui. Until next month then, gentle reader, I bid you adieu! for space and paper both cry out "hold, enough!"

THE ROAD IN ITS DECLINE.

I AM induced to offer a few remarks to you in consequence of an advertisement appearing in the public papers for the formation of an Institution to provide a fund of relief to postmasters and coach-proprietors, who, through accident or distress, may be reduced in circumstances. Many very interesting articles relative to the road have at different times appeared in your Magazine, but of late there has been a great dearth of them; indeed I believe I may venture to say they have disappeared altogether; and I can only attribute this circumstance to the same cause that has given rise to the advertisement I have mentioned-RAILWAYS. It cannot fail, I apprehend, to strike anyone whose attention is at all turned to these recently adopted modes of conveyance, that many persons who a few years since were carrying ou a flourishing business are now much reduced in circumstances, if not totally ruined. Of this fact numerous are the instances which could be

adduced; and were it possible to obtain a correct list of all the coachproprietors, postmasters, and innkeepers who have suffered from the introduction of railroads, and the amount of their losses, I fear it would display a long catalogue of honest and hard-working men reduced to a state bordering on beggary, notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to struggle against the difficulties which have been cast upon them.

I have only alluded to the situation of those persons to whom the advertisement is addressed; but, were it necessary, many others might be mentioned to whose interests railways have proved equally detrimental, and the catalogue would then assume an aspect which could scarcely fail to raise at least the sympathies of even the most strenuous railway advocates. Doubtless some, whose business has been entirely destroyed by railroads, can look upon the circumstance with comparative indifference: the fruits of many years' toil and industry may have rendered them independent of business, or a large capital may enable them to hold on through their difficulties, or establish themselves in a different line. These instances, however, are the exception to the general rule: most decidedly in the majority of instances the effect of a railway had been to deprive an innkeeper of business, at the same time that it has rendered his stock in trade, which represents his capital, almost worthless. To prove the truth of this assertion, it is only necessary to travel on some of the leading turnpike-roads which run parallel with a line of railway. The vastly different aspect of all the inns and inn-yards in comparison with their condition previous to the establishment of railways bespeaks a lamentable falling off in business, as to the cause of which there cannot for a moment be a doubt. In answer to these statements, it will be said that railways are a very great convenience to the public at large; that if they divert trade and employment from one channel, they carry it into another; and that although it is true the system may have caused many instances of hardship to individuals, yet that the benefit more than counterbalances the disadvantages, and private interest ought to yield to public. To enter into arguments pro and con on each of these propositions would occupy more space than I could reasonably expect in your pages. Should you, however, deem this letter worthy of insertion, I purpose at a future time saying a few more words upon railways, their advantages and disadvantages, and furnish you with some more definite information in support of the general (and what perhaps appear somewhat prejudiced) observations I have made concerning them. I certainly cannot but admit that I feel some regret when I look back to the gay and animated appearance our roads formerly bore, and the dull and lonely aspect they now present to travellers, &c. Here and there a few poor trampers, too poor to avail themselves of the assistance of a railway, plod along our principal roads foot sore and weary, deprived of the friendly lift which they once could obtain by the stage-wagon for a trifle. It has somewhat surprised me that none of your able Correspondents, many of whom I venture to say feel an interest in the road, have not taken up the pen in its defence, or at least endeavoured to waken up the pleasing reminiscences of bygone days when roads were in their prosperity.I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN ANTI-RAILER.

December 12, 1842.

MR. MEYNELL INGRAM'S COUNTRY.

WHEN it is observed that Mr. Meynell Ingram is the grandson of the celebrated Mr. Meynell, who may be justly considered as the first artiste who laid the foundation of the Science of Fox-hunting, it is almost unnecessary to hint that he is a first-rate Sportsman.-When a school-boy, he was indulged with draft hounds from his grandfather's kennel to hunt hares with. It must, however, be mentioned that the former Gentleman never hunted the Hoar Cross Country: the neighbourhood of Quorn in Leicestershire became the arena of his glorious achievements. The Hoar Cross Country in those days was hunted by Lord Vernon; succeeded by the Hon. J. Talbot, Messrs. Arkwright, T. Assheton Smith, and Osbaldeston.-The present Mr. Meynell Ingram has hunted the country since the year 1814 without intermission.-It is worthy of remark that his Huntsman and two Whips are brothers, their father having previously occupied the important office at the head of the Establishment.

PLACES OF MEETING IN MR. MEYNELL INGRAM'S COUNTRY.

JOSEPH LEEDHAM, Huntsman. THOMAS and JOHN LEEDHAM, Whippers-in.
Kennels at Hoar Cross-ten miles from Lichfield, and eight miles from Burton-on-Trent.

** The first figures refer to the Fixtures designated on the Map-and the second, third, and four to the miles distant from the towns, &c. to which they are attached.