THE FINE ARTS.

JEM HILLS ON SPANGLE, WITH OTHER FIRST FAVOURITES IN THE HEYTHROP HUNT.

There are three or four things which on making our bow in the halls of a country gentleman, or the homestead of a British yeoman, afford us peculiar pleasure; amongst these, we may mention the recognition of the last number of the Magazine on the table, then a hearty welcome as an embellishment for the head of the house, and a hunting scene of some sort or other for the side of it. Though no ways particular in the minutiae of the latter, so long as it does smack of sport, we must still confess that our gratification is considerably increased on discovering in it the features of any local genius, concerning whose appearance, peculiarities, sayings and doings, every member of the family can put in a good word. Some Dick Knight, Bob Oldaker, or Tom Moody, long honoured and well smoked; or may be a more modern man, with all his grandsire's knowledge and three times his quickness. A portrait of this kind, as an omen of hospitality, kindness, and comfort, will beat a time-serving, partysided, political print into fits, and run the family pictures themselves to half-a-head.

From this it may be imagined that it was with a very good-natured intent that we proceeded to unroll our proof of the Heythrop heroes; the predisposition for praise, however, was never less needed; there is a strong natural ability, a thorough correctness of anatomy, and the hand of a sportsman pervading every touch of the artist, which being very successfully imitated by his engraver, says a vast deal more in the first look than the most laboured critique could ever hope of approaching. Mr. Goode, the gentleman whose talent has been so efficiently employed on this occasion, is perhaps not so generally known as he deserves to be; though to us the name is not new, for we remember perfectly well a few years since being struck with the fidelity of his animal portraits, scattered through Oxford and its neighbourhood; and we are happy to find the great promise he then manifested has, in the interim, made such rapid strides towards perfection. Fortunately again for a rising man, his handiwork has had able seconds in the skill and care bestowed by Mr. Simmons in copying it, and the spirit and taste with which the Messrs. Wyatt, of High Street, Oxford, have turned out the engraving -a specimen of mezzotint worthy of any house in town or country, and one that will suffer but little in comparison with anything of the kind which has preceded it. The portraits here introduced are confined to active members of the establishment, Jem Hills on his favourite horse, Spangle, in the centre, supported by his two whips, Jack Goddard and Tom Slatter, with a few couple of the leading hounds-all in the bloom of health and high condition, having, as the scene assures us,

just started from what once was Heythrop House, but now cut down into a kennel for the hounds, and a cottage for their huntsman. Of Hills at present about the quickest man we have, either in cover or over the open, a workman scarcely ever excelled for the combined assistance he can afford both horse and hound-we have not space to do justice to here, and must consequently make it sufficient in saying that he figures, not only as the man after the very hearts of the Oxford boys, but stands equally high in the opinion of that fine and enthusiastic sportsman, Lord Redesdale, to whom the print is appropriately inscribed; and of which we can only add, that it is in every respect deserving of far more than that provincial celebrity we hear it already enjoys.

MR. BENCRAFT'S INVENTIONS.

There are certain occasions on which it especially becomes the critic, even as regarding his own individual character for good or evil, to be kind and considerate; when the offering cast at his feet, the last novelty of toil, talent, and trouble lying on his table, shows in its every use and purpose a visible intent at something beyond making the patentee's name and his fortune; when there is the ghost of a chance of its working on into a comfort for man or a blessing for beast, no matter how remote, never mind how woefully different be the will and the way; treat the specimen mildly, breath on it softly and shortly, as the effort of one "who means well." But, on the contrary, if the originality or excellence of the idea be only just a shade or so superior to the first attempt at putting it into execution; if the gentleman who thought to himself it might do, can show to the world that it does; and if the very sagacious Editor feels bothered where to suggest his trifling amendment or "would-be" improvement — in that case, experientia docet, there is nothing for it but to get some composition off by heart, find a good pen and a quiet corner, and then, as our worthy old friend Jorrocks says, proceed at once to lay it on thick!

Now, we will take two to one, or make an even five of it between the offer and Idas's winning the Derby, that the readers of this work regarded our serio-comico, but certainly meant-to-be complimentary, notices of Bencraft's saddle and Bencraft's hames with a kind of semi-dissatisfied feeling, which the M.D.'s would analyze into threefourths incredulity and one part contempt. That, however, was only the first impression; they read "the terrible piece of puffery" over again, got imbued with the slightest touch of the confidence displayed therein, and eventually did beg, buy, or borrow, as we commanded. "The one trial requested" was granted; they sat on the saddle, or behind the hames, and lo! our d-n'd high-blown nonsense is downright inspiration, their want of faith heart-felt gratitude, and a letter to the inventor, overflowing with a high sense of the satisfac

tion they had in him and his, the very immediate effect of our recommendation. Hundreds have done all this-tried and testified, leaving the much-honoured Stephen Bencraft, Esq., in the pleasing dilemma of putting his gross amount of certificates into a bag, and thence drawing out the two first or so as a garnish to his circular, or laying out the whole of his ready money in the printing and publishing of every one of 'em.

And here for one minute we will quite draw the curtain back. Don't let it be presumed that we are brushing up this matter for the benefit of Bencraft and Co.; most decidedly not, but out of pure justice to our noble selves, and the general consistency of our criticisms. Others had the offer, and "the saddle was a very praiseworthy affair," or "the patentee's object was creditable to him as a man," or "the aim of the hames was grounded on the true principles of humanity, and the leather was excellent." And so they so-so'd the gentleman into the back-ground, and his saddle into the back room. Yet, another day has passed, and this man is renowned; lords and commoners, masters of hounds and huntsmen of hounds, members of the House of Parliament and members of the Veterinary College, amateurs and regulars, are penning notes of admiration with an earnestness that makes us half inclined to believe they mean taking the shine out of us. But no matter; come what would, we spoke of these inventions at first in that unhesitating tone of approval they deserved; and now, that success has followed in proportion to their merit, we thus publicly shake hands with their author, and congratulate him, as we can his supporters, on the advantages thus made available to all who depend on the horse as an active assistant in their pleasures or profession.

LITERATURE.

GLANDERS AND FARCY IN THE HORSE. By William Percival.Longman and Co., Paternoster Row.-The treatment of these subjects, though appearing, thanks to a proper regard for the convenience of the public, in a distinct form, and with a title all its own, is nothing more or less than a continuation of Mr. Percival's very valuable work, Hippopathology, of which the present pages conclude volume the third. Of all the ills that have ever been known to affect the horse, none in the certainty of the doom it carries with it, none in the horrible and unsightly manner it vanquishes its victim, none in the obstinacy with which it has repelled the energy and science of all times and countries, can bear any comparison with the glanders. It might indeed have been called the curse of one particular kind of creature, had not the experience of the last half century shown us that it possesses the farther, and almost if not altogether unparalleled, power of communicating its deadly poison, in the same terrible strength, from the animal to the human race. Under these unusually

important considerations, and anything but inviting features to begin with, it would of necessity require a mind long and intimately acquainted with the disease, a nice discrimination in observing and pointing out its general characteristics, and in fact a very genius, as well as education for the subject, to attempt to encounter it with any hope of success. Of our author's efforts here in connection with this trying branch of veterinary study, it is not too much to say that they will rank worthily with his previous productions, and do much in themselves for securing the work in progress a high and permanent place amongst those of standard excellence.

A thorough freedom from complaint is in any case much superior to the best of remedies; but in examples like the one now before us, where cure is utterly impossible, the grand, indeed the only really valuable matter for disquisition is, how to guard against and avoid it. Of this Mr. Percival has been fully sensible, as a look into any section of his subject will demonstrate; he never gives us a case-of which, by the way, he has introduced some of every known variety and complexion-but he follows up the plain statement of when and where the patient was first affected, with a searching investigation as to how he had contracted it; whether arising spontaneously from being kept in ill-ventilated stabling (a very common cause), from predisposition in constitution or climate, or from having caught it from some animal already diseased. The last of these three sources -contagion or non-contagion-as some of our readers may be aware, has long been "a matter of nice argument" in the Royal Veterinary College; but the author of Hippopathology, however decided in his opinion that glanders are contagious (in which we fully concur), is no partizan, but lets his opponents speak for themselves, with that true sense of justice and impartiality which should ever guide a man who is writing a hand-book for the world. Apropos, just here we have one leetle objection to make, a fault or error that all gentlemen of Mr. Percival's profession are certain more or less to contract: it is the too frequent use of long, learned technical terms; which, though no doubt duly appreciated in the lecture-room, are rather apt to dismay country gentlemen, honest yeomen, head grooms and others, into whose hands, as a matter of course, the work is sure of proceeding. Patent penman cannot be too frequently reminded that the most elegant, impressive, and learned writers of all ages, have been such as were content with the simplest language. On all other heads, from careful perusal, we can pronounce the new work on glanders and farcy perfect, and as such recommend it to the sporting and agricultural world-a sincere friend to either, which no man who values his own interest will delay in ordering.

THE SPORTSMAN IN CANADA. By F. Tolfrey, author of "The Sportsman in France." In 2 vols.-London: T. C. Newby, 72, Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. 1845.-This is as pleasant a little work as its precursor, and quite as full of lively anecdote and hilarious enthusiasm on sport. In this age of cant, it does one's spirit good to see a man express his honest, healthful impulses with frank and manly conviction. There's not a word in the book before us to

The Titian Stakes were won by Mr. Walker's be. and w. b. Moorland Meg, by Palertoo, out of Postmark, Mr. B. Smith's r. b. Saffron, by Blucher, out of Zinc, running up.

The Raphael Stakes were won by Mr. A. Pollok ns. bc. b. Violet, by Victor, out of Fair-star, Dr. Brown's r. and w. b. The Willing Maid, by Sport, out of Music, running up.

The Guido Stakes were won by Mr. Stainton's r. d. Huron, by Mohawk, out of Swallow, Sir W. C. Anstruther's w. and r. b. Matchless, by Brunswick, out of Lady, running up.

The Annibal Caracci Stakes were won by Mr. Joblin's f. and w. d. Miner, by Twister, out of Witch, Mr. B. Smyth's bk. d. Sherwood, by Kenwigs, out of Sarah, running up.

The Rubens Stakes were won by Mr. G. Pollock's r. b. Hawthorn, by Major, out of Empress, Mr. Campbell's r. and. w. b. Stoleaway, by Ardoch, out of Countess, running up.

The Dominichino Stakes were won by Mr. W. Ramsay's Rector, beating Mr. A. Graham's Curatore.

The Corregio Stakes were won by the Marquis of Douglas's Drift, beating Mr. Walker's Moorland Meg.

The Vandyke Stakes were won by Mr. A. Pollok ns. Violet, beating Mr. Stainton ns. Huron. The Murillo Stakes were won by Mr. G. Pollok's Hawthorn, beating Mr. Jobling's Miner.

The Snyders Stakes were won by the Marquis of Douglas's Drift, beating Mr. W. Ramsay's Rector.

The Landseer Stakes were won by Mr. A. Pollok ns. Violet, beating Mr. G. Pollok's Hawthorn. The CALEDONIAN COURSING PICTURE was won by Mr. Gibson's (named by Mr. A. Pollok) Violet, beating the Marquis of Douglas's Drift.

The Portrait Stakes were won by Campbell's f. and w. d. Arsenic, beating Mr. Mounsey's w. and f. b. Bashful, and 6 others.

The Landscape Stakes were won by Mr. Campbell's r. d. Bannockburn, beating Mr. Mounsey's f. d. Foig-a-Ballagh, and 6 others.

The Engraving Stakes were won by Mr. Walker ns. be and w. b. Lass o'Gowrie, beating Mr. A. Graham's r. f. d. Rougher, and 2 others.

The Cartoon Stakes were won by Mr. Mounsey's w. and f. b. Meg, beating Mr. Dickson's be. d. Nimrod, and 2 others.

The Daguerrotype Stakes were won by Mr. Dickson's r. d. Hawk-eye, beating Mr. Sharpe's f. d. Snake, and 2 others.

THE FINISH LYTHAM MEETING, MARCH 26 & 27.

The Great Clifton Cup, of 51. 10s. each, was won by Mr. Clark's bk. and w. b. Young Lill, beating Mr. Ardern's bk. b. Matchless, and 14 others.

The Lytham Puppy Cup, of 31. 10s. each, was won by Mr. Rodgett's f. b. Gin, by [Burgundy, out of Swallow, beating Mr. Brook's bk. b. Bonnet, and 14 others.

The Talbot Stakes, of 31. 10s. each, were won by Mr. Clarke's be. b. Lune, beating Mr. Thomas's r. d. Topper, and 18 others.

The Trial Stakes were won by Mr. Clark's f. and w. b. Shropshire, by Westmoreland, or Elis, out of Young Empress, beating Mr. Coupe's be. b. Clara, and another.

The Hopeful Stakes were won by Mr. Dickinson's bk. and w. d. Fylde, by Dart, out of Lill, beating Mr. Noblett's bk. b. Wasp, and 2 others.

The Fylde Cup was won by Mr. Ardern's r. d. Monsoon, beating Mr. Robinson's r. d. Rocket, and 6 others.

The Ribble Puppy Cup was won by Mr. Robinson's bd. b. Phoebe, beating Mr. Lamb's be. d. Lecture, and 6 others.

The Westby Hall Stakes were won by Mr. King's r. d. Silk, beating Mr. Brandwood's r. b. Rowena, and 2 others.

MORPETH (SALTWICK), MARCH 27.

The Ogle Stakes were won by Mr. Tinley's r. d. Le Meurtrier, beating Mr. Arthur's bk. d. Sligo, and 18 others.

MATCHES.

Mr. Hall's r. d. Doctor, beat Mr. Simpson's be. b. Waterwitch

Mr. H. J. Annett's w. and bk. b. Widdrington Maid, beat Mr. A. K. Fenwick's w. d. Sharper.

DRUMKEERIN, MARCH 26, 27, & 28.

The Gold Snuff Box was won by Mr. M'Guire's Lady Harkaway, his Skipaway running up. A Sweepstakes was won by Mr. Hassard's Billy, beating Mr. M'Guire's Leech, and 2 others. Another Sweepstakes was won by Mr. Hassard's Fanny, beating Mr. M'Guire's Watergrass, and 6 others.

The Consolation Stakes were won by Mr. Hassard's Snap, beating Mr. M'Guire's Watergrass, and 6 others.

ALTCAR, MARCH 27 & 28.

The Sefton Cup was won by Mr. Parry's r. d. Punch, beating Mr. Slater's r. and w. b. Speculation, and 14 others.

The Molyneux Plate was divided between Mr. Standish's bk. and w. d. Sir Thomas, and Mr. Robinson's r. b. Scotia. 14 others ran.

The Croxteth Purse was won by Mr. Slater's r. and w. b. Signora, beating Mr. Ball's w. b. Breeze, and 6 others.

The Altcar Stakes were won by Mr. Ball's bd. d. Barow, beating Mr. Matthews's r. b. Mystery, and 6 others.

The West Derby Stakes were won by Mr. Ball's bd. d. Burgundy, beating Mr. Bennett's bk. d. True Briton, and 6 others.

The Lancashire Stakes were won by Mr. Swann's bk. b. Sovereign Queen, beating Mr. Slater's bk. t. d. Sam Patch, and 6 others.

E