with horror at their hopeless position, that they have gone raving mad; skeletons we know being occasionally come upon, giving evidence of death from fruitless wandering, while no trace of other persons missing a route or direction have ever been seen. Napoleon with his staff losing their way when crossing a shallow arm of the Gulph of Suez, he ordered the several officers to ride away from him in radiating lines, any of them finding the water less shallow to shout out. We remember a simple expedient of Sir Francis Head to extricate himself from the dilemma of being lost in a forest. He threw his hat on the ground, and then riding from it in any direction to a greater distance than that which he knew to exist between him and the road he was anxious to regain, he returned by the footmarks of his horse to his hat, and then radiating from it in another direction he again returned, repeating the trials until, striking the right direction, the road was at last recovered. Climbing trees, or crags, and descending cliffs are not omitted. "Always face difficult places; if you slip let your first effort be to turn upon your stomach, for in every other position you are helpless. A mountaineer, when he meets with a formidable obstacle, does not hold on to the rock by means of his feet and hands only, but he clings to it like a caterpillar, with every part of his body that can come simultaneously into contact with its roughened surface." If he Swimming with horses: "In crossing a deep river with a horse or other large animal, drive him in, or even lead him along a steep bank and push him sideways suddenly into the water; having fairly started him, jump in yourself, seize his tail and let him tow you across. turns his head with the intention of changing his course, splash water in his face with your right or left hand as the case may be, holding the tail with one hand and splashing with the other, and you will in this way direct him as you like. This is by far the best way of swimming a horse; all others are objectionable and even dangerous with animals new to the work-such as to swim alongside the horse, with one hand on his shoulder; or worst of all, to retain your seat on his back. If this last method be persisted in, at least let the rider take his feet out of the stirrups before entering the water." It is considered a bad plan to lure horses from straying by salt, because they will, through their fondness for it, keep hanging about, instead of going off to feed. With regard to hobbling, the nature of a country and dangers to be apprehended determine the plan most desirable, a knee-haltered horse having a good chance of escape if he scent a wild beast that is creeping up to him, as he can contrive to make a gallop, though with labour, just a short distance, while a hobbled horse has no chance given him, though horses have even then fought desperately with their teeth and hoofs, and it was thus that one of the leaders in the Exeter Mail fought the lioness springing from the thicket near Winterslow Hut one night, and when the coach itself was not upset through the admirable coachmanship and judgment of the driver, who contrived to keep the team together, trammelled and bothered as they were with broken and complicated harness during their terror and strugglings. A capital plan of picketting a horse on an open, loose, sandy plain is told us. A stone, short stick, bundle of twigs, bag of sand, or what not, is to be tied round the middle and buried in the sand; at one foot a strain equal to about 50lbs. weight is necessary to draw it up, and sunk to a couple of feet no man unassisted can pull it up. Neighing horses and braying asses may cause harm to travellers by announcing to an enemy their locality, or be merely nuisances. Mungo Park, concealing himself from the observation of people passing near, seized with both hands the muzzle and nostrils of his steed and silenced him. Asses raise their tails when going to bray, and a heavy stone attached to the end of a tail is enough to keep them dumb. To the author's precautions against that vexatious evil, a sore back with horses, we add a simple remedy that we have ourselves tried in a hot country, and where sores are incurred more frequently from the indurated surface of the under part of a saddle dried in the sun or near a fire than from any other cause. Directly a saddle is taken off turn it over, and let it dry as gradually as time permits, spreading out the girths; and before placing it on the horse's back, gently beat the stuffing all over with a small rounded stick having the bark on, the girths being rubbed one part against another where stiffened. Guns and rifles, fittings and ammunition, have a good deal said about them, hints on shooting following. The mode of carrying a gun on horseback (the invention of the Namaquas) is good, as also that named by Mr. Parkyns in his " Abyssinia" for disposing of one at night, and seconded by Mr. Galton; "When getting sleepy, you return your rifle between your legs, roll over and go to sleep. Some people may think this is a queer place for a rifle; but, on the contrary, it is the position of all others where utility and comfort are most combined. The butt rests on the arm, and serves as a pillow for the head; the muzzle points between the knees, and the arms encircle the lock and breech, so that you have a smooth pillow, and are always prepared to start up armed at a moment's notice." "The longer the gun," as the author observes," the more secure is the sleeper from accident. Let young sportsmen bear in mind the assurance that all ways of carrying a gun with its muzzle downwards are very objectionable; since the jolting tends to dislodge the charge, and if it be considerably dislodged, the gun will probably burst on being fired. Also, a very little shaking, when the muzzle is downwards, will shake the powder out of the nipple, and therefore a gun so carried will constantly miss fire." Contrivances for capturing game by traps, the bolas, and the lasso, are given; fishing, whether by rod, spear, or net, not being forgotten. In a word, the book is replete with information, no small amount of scientific instruction being blended with ordinary hints relating to matters of paramount importance, however apparently insignificant to nontravellers or semi-sportsmen. Injuries and accidents, too, with other ills and ailments, are prescribed for, the remedial measures, in the absence of more orthodox appliances, being very sharp and decisive occasionally. Gunpowder, for example, proves an active agent in snake and scorpion bites, or arterial hæmorrhage; and again for emetics, a charge in a tumblerful of warm water producing desired effects for the latter, and explosion those for the former. Soap-suds vie with gunpowder when swallowed; though first get your soap-an article not deemed imperative to the toilet, the author observing, "There is no denying the fact that dirt and grease are great protectors of the skin against inclement weather;" cleanliness, nevertheless, having due attention, we should in justice state, in these pages, manifested by the process described for manufacturing soap itself, besides bath gloves and brushes, as well as how to economize water in washing oneself, a lesson we have some of us found hard to learn when on short allowance. This digression has led us away from things medicinal and surgical, and we will only momentarily return to mention an important communication made a few days since to the Lancet, by Dr. Hood, respecting the infusion into the system of poison from bites by the copra di capello, or by mad dogs, profuse perspiration through continuous and forced exercise being insisted upon, repetition doses at regular intervals of 10 or 15 minutes, of five to ten drops of eau-de-luce, being administered, and lethargy guarded against. The severe operation of exploding gunpowder in the wounded part when caustic cannot be got, would be thus obviated, as also the plan suggested by Mr. Mansfield Parkyns, which is to cut away, or burn into the wound with the iron end of the ramrod heated as near a white heat as possible, so much flesh being cut into or burnt as the fingers can pinch of, the arteries running sufficiently deep to render danger improbable. The book, which for portability is fairly entitled to be termed a pocket volume, makes no pretension to anything else than what it is; but though so discursive and broken into bits by its infinity of subjects, there is pleasant reading, the quotations from different travellers being judiciously introduced, and the illustrations and diagrams being selected for practical utility and nothing further. Suggestions being the staple of this publication, and also invited, we shall, in concluding our notice, advise purchasers to order a dozen blank leaves to be appended, and a strong leathern cover with a deep-fitting lappet to be put to it, pockets inside not being forgotten, and it will then be perfectly fit and serviceable as a "vade mecum," an oil-skin wrapper being in one of the pockets, as a protector against rain or im mersion. "CONSTANCE AND OTHER POEMS." By Robert G. Caldwell. A. W. Bennett, 5, Bishopsgate Without. These poems will be read with pleasure by all lovers of real genius. The versification is smooth, musical, and elegant, the language vivid, and the style delightful; and the author evidently belongs to that class who are born (not made) poets. "WAKE, MARY, WAKE," is the title of a song set to music by Henry Smart, and sung by Mr. Santley; the words by John Latey; and so clever are they that they claim a place in our literary notices. The words are extremely pretty; the verse is most melodious and flowing; the subject is fresh and unhack nied. With a considerable proficiency in poetic diction, the author shows that he possesses much metrical power, and his words are as superior to the usual style of balladwriters, as Patti's voice is to a penny trumpet. Henry Smart has done his work well, and the song will deservedly become a great favourite with those who can appreciate high art, for both the poetry and the music give evidence of a master-mind. FINE ARTS. An hour spent at the Dudley Gallery, where a general collection of Water-colour Drawings is on view, will repay the visitor. A German artist exhibits a strikingly clever picture of a forest scene in winter, with a wild boar approaching the gazer down a sort of gorge or ravine. The "Last Lot," an old grey horse, which has been taken to a country fair apparently, and remains unsold, is by the talented pencil of Mr. Thomas. We say apparently unsold, because we saw an elaborate criticism the other day of the subject, which makes the horse sold, thus entirely destroying the pathos, to our own notion, intended. There is a very carefully executed representation of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort at a Review, by the same artist. A pretty little piece, of a boy with game over his shoulders, and a dog beside him, is to be seen on one of the screens; but we cannot recal a sportsman whether with gun, rod, or steed, in a single landscape. A few cattle are welcome, and we noted several coast scenes, but no sea-piece. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALES OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Knightsbridge, on Monday, Feb. 3rd : Miss Deans, by Hobbie Noble, her dam, Miss Clifton, by Picaroon; covered by Stockstill, b. c. by Stockwell, out of Weatherbound, 4 years (Mr. Hetherington) On Monday, Feb. 10th: THE PROPERTY OF THE LATE SIR HENRY DES Vœux, Bart. BROOD MARES. GS. 60 125 14 171 Agra (dam of Tage) by Irish Birdcatcher out of Ellerdale's dam, by Tomboy; served by Newminster (Mr. Blenkiron) Rosa Bonheur (dam of Knight of the Garter), by Touchstone out of Boarding School Miss, by Plenipotentiary; served by King of Trumps and Kettledrum (Mr. Blenkiron)... Princess Royal (dam of Crown Prince), by Slane, dam by Bay Middleton out of Appolonia, by Whisker; served by Parmesan (Mr. Graham) 500 2,000 150 Bridle (dam of Habena), by The Saddler out of Monceda, by Taurus; served by Rataplan (Mr. C. Snewing) 10 Brown mare, by The Flying Dutchman out of Dilbar, by Touchstone; served by Nevada, br. m., 4 years, by The Flying Dutchman out of La Maladetta, by The Bay Mare, by Jericho out of Malmsey, by Libel or Harkaway (Mr. Denne) On Monday, Feb. 17th: THE EARL OF JERSEY'S STUD. Deceiver, by Glenmasson out of Mermaid, 5 years; in foal to Lord of the Isles (Mr. Aspirant, by Prime Minister out of May Morning, 5 years (Mr. Norton) GS. 51 40 600 270 100 130 42 380 40 100 250 Grand Duke, by The Great Unknown, out of Grand Mistress, 4 years (Mr. Warner) Grand Cross, by Knight of St. Patrick out of Besika, 4 years (Mr. Hetherington) Mercury, by Chevalier d'Industrie out of Superstition, 2 years (Sir W. Throckmorton) ... C. by Kettledrum out of Imperatrice, 2 years (Mr. York). *Poacher, by Oulston out of Marionette, 2 years (Sir W. Throckmorton) *Luna, br. f. by Camerino out of Bonny Blink, 2 years (Mr. Norton)... Lisette, ch. m. by Yellow Jack out of Ninette, 6 years (Mr. Brayley) Dovedale, h. by Colsterdale, dam by Pyrrhus the First (Capt. Wheler)... By Mr. Tompkins, at Reading, on Saturday, Feb. 15th: THE PROPERTY OF THE DUKE OF HAMILTON. Gamecock, b. c. by Newminster out of Grey Hen, aged (Mr. Villiers) .. Eltham, by Marsyas out of Butterfly, 6 years (Mr. Shrimpton) |