Wembury wood blank.-Trotted away from that country in disgust, and found a brace of foxes in Parkland wood, Cholwichtown: went away with one of them over Reddon, through Knoll wood, over Crownhill down, into Hookspray, and into Fernhill wood, where the hounds got into closer acquaintance with him, and traced him to the top of the wood, the principal part of the Field with them; when the fox headed short, and whilst we were wondering where he was gone, the hounds cut our acquaintance (venaticè, we were thrown out), except one or two, who were in the rear-guard upon Crownhill down: to them the hounds came, going best pace, on over Crownhill down, through Cholwichtown, over Pen moor, turned back, and ran the same line they went forward to Fernhill wood, where it ended, and so will end A BRUNCHEVAL. SALMON FISHING ON THE EARN, AND AN EARLY WORD ON THE NEXT GAME SEASON. "A birr! a whirr! a salmon's on, A pretty fish, a thumper: Bring up, bring up the ready gaff, Another glorious bumper. The strong, the quick, the steady; THE sun has not yet cast off his mantle of haze and cloud; the trees have not yet assumed their verdure of green; the grass is still stunted and bare; the genial flowers of spring have not thrown off their sombre coverings; and every now and then a cold shivering blast comes whistling from the bleak white hills, which are still clothed in their mantle of snow. Still it is spring-time, and, though the weather is not very tempting to the angler, our rivers already team with the silverysided salmon. Indeed, since the opening of the season, the Earn, the sweet-flowing Earn, has had a bountiful supply, and some splendid fish have been killed. Your true brother of the gentle craft is seldom deterred by the storms of this wild mountain land when sport is in view, and we resolved to have a cast on our favorite stream, whose picturesque banks in all their windings are well worthy of a visit from the contemplative angler. About the middle of the month we found ourself at the little village of Comrie, which by the by enjoys the unenviable distinction of being more frequently visited by earthquakes and subterranean convulsions than any other village in the British Isles. The morning was cold, wind N.N.W., and anything but promising for sport, or to tempt the finny tenants of the deep to rise and sport with flies on the surface of the waters. At the bridge south of the village, we mounted one of O'Shaughnessy's best irons, and commenced to fish down stream, casting over the pools and reaches in this locality with the greatest caution; but whether our materiel was not suited to their fancy, or they were not an-hungered, deponent sayeth not, but this we know that for two long miles we did not rise a fin, not see a single fish disturb the quiet ripple of the beautiful waters. Resolved on altering our tactics, we were about to change our O'Shaughnessy for one of smaller dimensions, when our attention was drawn to the rise of a glorious salmon in the stream below, and were instantly up in our stirrups, giving him, however, ample time to relish his dainty morsel; then gently throwing our tempting fly over the spot, our delight was excessive at the sudden bend of our rod, and a rush up-stream told the tale that we had hooked a Leviathan: and it was so: the reel went a merry-go-round, and we played him secundem artem. It is needless to describe the difficulties we encountered-how we boldly entered several of the old watercourses up to the middle, and surmounted other obstacles which the windings of the river presented: suffice it to say, after a good half hour's hard work, we had the gratification of winding him up to the edge of the bank, nearly exhausted by his exertions. Our eyes gloated on the huge monster, which, however, seemed to contemplate another rush into the current. But-oh these buts !—the bank was so steep it was impossible to raise him aloft. How anxiously we looked for a friend in need: one minute with the gaff-hook would have relieved us from all the difficulty: we rolled our eyes about, about, but not even a solitary clodpole was within hail, and we had no alternative but patience, and a determination, if possible, to secure our prize. We coaxed him a leetle towards a more kindly landing-place, and just as we fancied we had him all safe, the grisly substance attached to the hook gave way, and...... but we need not speak our disappointment-the splendid fish had "cut his lucky," and we had nothing to do but cast a disconsolate look at the spot where he had been, wind up our real, put up our traps, and toddle our weary way to our quarters; but with a determination that the following morning should find us again in the same locality. The "shrill cock had no sooner waked the morn with his clarionvoice," than we were at our post, after a two hours' trudge; but, alas! it was "no go." We tried all our most taking flies both up and down the river, and could not rise a single fin. Proceeding further down stream, and near the monument erected to the late Sir David Baird, we hooked a fish of 7fb., and made him our own. Nearing the village of Crieff, we captured another of 91b.; and feeling pretty well satisfied with our day's exertions, we left the bank of the beautiful Earn, still, however, regretting the loss of the mighty fellow we had "in view the preceding day-consoling ourself with the old adage, There's many a slip or, as a friend more pithily remarks, "Never gut a fish till you have caught him." And now for a word on the game season in Perthshire that will arrive in due course. All sportsmen are aware that a favorable winter is one of the greatest considerations for game of all sorts, and greatly in favor of the coming breeding-season; and in all our experience we never remember so favorable a winter as regards grouse, and indeed all kinds of "food for powder." We have, it is true, had long and severe frosts, and the Grampians are still covered with snow, but the face of the earth was for the most part clear, which enabled the feathered denizens of the mountain and other game to make out a living. The past winter was also dry, another great desideratum as regards their condition; and if the weather should now get mild, and continue so for another month, we may anticipate one of the best seasons in this part of the country that has been experienced for many years, particularly as the breeding stock is of the first quality, which is another and a most important feature. With such bright prospects in perspective, we may congratulate the Grouse-shooter, and shall conclude these brief remarks with a promise of further reports as the season advances. HAWTHORN. Perth, March 27, 1843. ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB. THE monthly meeting of this Club was held at their rendezvous, the British Coffee House, on the 6th of April, Commodore Harrison in the Chair, that Gentleman and the other Officers having been re-elected at the previous meeting. The Secretary being fully occupied in receiving subscriptions, Captain Meeson read the Minutes of the preceding Meeting, which were confirmed. The report of the Treasurer was then read, which shewed a balance, from entrance fees and subscriptions, and the purchase of Cups, Plate, &c. for the Matches and incidental expenses, of £142 5s. 2d., to which £34 15s. was added in subscriptions during the evening.-On the motion of Mr. Pegg, the names of those Gentlemen who had not paid their yearly subscriptions up to April 1842 were ordered to be expunged. The first Match of the season was then fixed for Tuesday the 23d of May, from Greenwich to Coal House Point and back-two prizes to be sailed for, one for yachts not exceeding 25 tons, and the other for those under 12 tons; the last entry to be on the next monthly meeting (May 4). Mr. Pegg immediately entered his new purchase, The Cruiser, 25 tons.-The Match for the 100gs. Challenge Cup, open to vessels of all Royal Yacht Clubs not exceeding 25 tons, was fixed for Thursday, June 8, the last night of entry to be June 1.-Several Gentlemen were elected Members, and others proposed for ballot at the next Meeting. On the 13th the Club opened their season at the Yacht Tavern, Greenwich, and after partaking of an elegant dejeuner, the Commodore hoisted his flag on board the Gnome, Captain Meeson, the following vessels being all prepared for making their annual excursion down the River-Lord A. Paget's and Mr. Fontaine's iron-yachts Mystery and Blue Bell, Sabrina, Naide, Phantom, Arun, Wasp, Widgeon, Foam, YOL. I.-THIRD SERIES, N. S.-No. 5. Y y Ripple, Red Rover, and Oberon.-On the signal being given from the Gnome, the little fleet proceeded on their trip with a fresh breeze from the Nor'ard, the River presenting a most animating appearance. The Naide unfortunately carried away her gaff, and was obliged to put back. After encountering a violent hailstorm in Woolwich Reach, they soon arrived at Erith, their rendezvous for the night, and during the evening from twenty to thirty vessels dropped their anchors. About 8 P. M., the Commodore and others on board the Gnome, having been hospitably entertained by the Captain of the Club, repaired to the Crown Inn, where the board was promptly surrounded by a numerous party of yacht owners and gentlemen fond of aquatic sports. It is needless to say, the healths of the Illustrious Patrons and other appropriate toasts were duly honored, and conviviality reigned throughout the eveningas fat Jack says, "fore heaven they made a night on't." On the following morning, the Gnome got under weigh for Rochester, followed by the greater portion of the squadron, and on Saturday they stood out to sea. List of the Fleet. PATRONS-THE QUEEN AND H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT. |