The hounds are in first-rate condition, and had splendid sport for a few weeks at New Mill, about six miles from Perth on the Dunkeld road, where His Lordship purposes building a commodious kennel during the "vacation;" so that Perthshire is looking up in the sporting line, as it can now boast of a pack of fox-hounds, a small pack of deerhounds, of which more anon, and Lord Glenlyon's harriers.

In the stable we noticed our old friend Ashton in a loose box and in beautiful condition; a well-bred mare; and His Lordship's hack, a useful-looking grey. There were a few others, out of condition, and two very unique piebald ponies. The great portion of His Lordship's stud are at present with him in Ireland. The stables have a very sober appearance, but this is to be remedied, and the ornamental is to be added to the useful.

Having viewed "that which we came for to see," we took a stroll around the ancient Baronial Castle, and must confess that we could discern no apparent practicable country; and had we first cast our eyes on the wilds by which we were surrounded, we should not have expected to have found any hounds of any sort located here. Ritchie, however, assured us, that beyond the range of mountains to the southwest the country was not so bad to ride to hounds; adding, that His Lordship was not very particular, as he was a bold and determined rider, and did not stick at trifles in pursuing his favorite pastime. Their country in the neighbourhood of New Hill and Stanley, however, is all that is required for sport, and a pretty stiff one as to fences, as we can confidently assert from our own experience.

Having finished our survey, we returned to the Inn, where a substantial breakfast awaited our presence; and having "settled our consarn," retraced our steps to Dunkeld, where we arrived to luncheon; and whilst our steeds were "taking their repast," we took a peep at the romantic grounds on the Athol property, which were laid out with great taste by the late Duke. Of course we did not "pass unheeded by" the Hermitage on the river Brawn, a rapid mountain torrent that joins the Tay at Dunkeld.

Here we parted from the friends that had accompanied us in the britska, they taking the route by the Brawn, and we purposing to return to the "Fair City" by the mail as it passed through from Inverness. L'homme propose, mais Dieu dispose: when coachee drew up, he sang out "full in and out," and we were left to our solitary musings.

Though annoyed for the moment, we had no reason to regret this incident, as it enabled us, on our road to Perth, to visit Murthly Castle, and take a peep at Sir William Drummond Stewart's paintings of hunting scenes among the rocky mountains in the New World. The Castle and grounds are open to the public, and attendants are ever ready to conduct the visitor over the whole establishment. We had heard much of these paintings, but our gratification far exceeded any anticipations we had previously formed, and we fear that our humble pen will do but poor justice to their exciting interest. Surrounded as the Gallant Baronet is with these splendid presentments of the pleasures and perils he encountered among the wild Indians, no wonder that he deems our sports as tame and insignificant, and takes no

delight even in grouse-shooting, for which his extensive domains offer such temptations.

On entering the hall the staircase bursts at once on view like a spell of enchantment raised by the magician's wand. The whole walls are covered with paintings-the first representing the meeting of Sir William with an Indian Chief, both mounted, the gallant Baronet on a splendid white horse, and the whole tribe approaching by one of the wild passes in the rocks. The second exhibits Sir William smoking the calumet of peace in one of the Indian camps among the mountains. Then are four views of the wild scenery, taken from the most picturesque of the hunting grounds. The first picture in the hall represents Sir William in full chase of a buffalo; the second, the enraged animal turning on his pursuer, and Sir William in the act of preparing his rifle for the onset, whilst his faithful servant Antwin, the constant attendant on his master in all his perilous adventures, and still in his service, is in the act of throwing the lasso, with a whole herd of buffalo making off in the back-ground. The third painting shews a buffalo in full chase of a Native Chief, and his tribe advancing to the rescue. Another exhibits an enormous bear in the act of attacking Sir William, the rifle in deadly aim pointed at his heart, with Antwin in waiting. Another painting represents Sir William's old cook in the act of dressing dinner for the party. When this picture arrived at the Castle, Antwin shed tears of joy at recognising his old companion standing with his long knife by the fire waiting the commands of his

officer.

The only bridles used by the Indians are cords tied to the jaw, and attached to the saddle; and Antwin has proved himself a first-rate horseman after this fashion since he came to this country. The likeness of Sir William is well preserved in all the paintings: they were executed by a young American artist, who accompanied the Gallant Baronet in his journey through the rocky mountains.

All round the hall are hung several hunting dresses of the Natives (which are truly represented in the paintings), Indian bows and arrows, hunting-knives, horns, and several preserved skins of buffalos, bears, and elk deer.

I should have stated that Sir William is erecting a princely mansion, of which the walls and roof only are finished. When completed, surrounded as it is with splendid pleasure grounds and the most romantic scenery, it will be a fit abode for Royalty.

My yarn is not yet spun, as I cannot resist giving you a brief account of the sport with the Hon. Captain Murray's blood-hounds in roe-deer shooting. The Gallant Master of the pack, I need scarcely tell your readers, is brother to the Earl of Mansfield, and is to the heart's core as good a trump as ever drew breath, and a thorough Sportsman. The hounds under his management have had unprecedented success. None but those who have penetrated the wild glens and dark pine forests of Perthshire can have the least conception of this ancient and newly-revived sport. You must be prepared to mount a steady old hunter, and have your gun in proper order. Hark to the

sound of the bugle and the horn, and the mingled clamor of the pack! Your friends are waiting for you under the shade of the wood, and "we must go a-hunting" the light-footed roe.

The distance over which we have to travel is seldom felt when pleasure is in view, so "a-galloping we go" through the woods to some well-known place, where many a fine buck has dropped his antlers under the ball of the hunter's rifle.

The trysting place was in Keilour Forest, belonging to that veteran and good Sportsman, Mr. Smyth. The servants, who are called drivers, have already begun their search. Their voices are heard exciting the hounds, and unless we push on, we shall be too late at our Pass, and thus lose the first opportunity of shooting the fleeting game as it passes by. The horn sounds louder and more clear: hurry on, or we shall be wofully behind.

Here we are at last. Now dismount quickly, and fasten your horse to this tree; place yourself behind that large black pine, and take especial care you don't shoot me: the deer is fast approaching: I will to my Pass, and he who shoots him dead bears the fame of the day. The deer is heard coming; he has cracked a dead stick with his hoof, and the hounds are now so near that he will pass in a moment. Here he comes! How gracefully he bounds over the ground! What a splendid head of horns! How easy his attitudes, depending on his own swiftness for safety! All is in vain! He has not advanced many paces when the report of a gun is heard! 'Tis Mr. Smyth's, and he is "dead for a ducat!" The beautiful animal plunges forward with incomparable speed, but for a moment only; he is mortally wounded, and the servants rush up to preserve the carcase from the hounds. The clamor ceases; a few minutes, and the party surround the spot where the noble stag has dropped. Mr. Smyth is congratulated on his skill and good luck; and the chase is renewed in another part of the wood. The quarry was a noble red deer who had taken up his abode for some weeks previously in this forest; his weight 14st., and his head and antlers were carried in triumph to Methven Castle.

A few words in explanation may be necessary to convey a clear idea of this mode of hunting. Deer are fond of following and retracing the paths which they have formerly pursued, and continue to do so after they have been shot at more than once, particularly roedeer. Their tracks are discovered by the keepers of the woods, or a deer is observed crossing a road, a field, or a burn. When this has been noticed, the deer may easily be shot from the Passes by the gunner waiting for it. The keepers for the most part are well acquainted with the Passes of the deer, and when they ascertain the places where the animals feed and lie down, intimation is given to the Master, who invites the Gallant Captain, and preparation is forthwith made for the chase. When all is in readiness, the huntsman with the keepers and drivers draw the forests, and then the foray begins, which in almost every instance proves successful, so much so that these hounds have killed upwards of a hundred roe-deer this season. The localities generally chosen for this sport are the large pine forests which abound in some parts of the county-such as Keilour Forest, Birnam Hill, Delvine, and the huge oak woods upon the banks of the

VOL. XXI.-SECOND SERIES,-No. 121.

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Tay below Stanley on the Mansfield property. The hounds are not blooded, but for all that they run well and true up to their game, and it is no mean day's work, on returning home in the evening, to find an entry in the book of from five to seven fine deer.

Now it might be thought that this sport would materially interfere with fox-hunting, which no doubt it would do if deer were found lying in small coverts; but this is seldom the case, and in fact these are never drawn. The large forests are the strongholds of the varmint, we admit; but hunting them would be very sorry sport, as no man could ride with pleasure to hounds in such places. In following this sport you make the foxes look out, and ten to one but he pops off "when the moon shines bright" to some small gorse covert six or seven miles off, and the following day may be found by Mr. Grant and his merry pack, and afford a regular burster across country to the forests. To give you some idea of the plentifulness of foxes, we know that two keepers in one of these forests in the upper part of the country killed forty-two foxes last season!but mind this is not in a fox-hunting country.

We have said that the county is looking up; and it is gratifying to know that Abercairney, late Master of the "Perthshire," is about to establish a small pack of roe-deer hounds, to have a touch at some of the large forests in the West: so that next season promises well, as we shall then have the Perthshire fox-hounds, Lord Glenlyon's harriers, and Captain Murray's and Abercairney's blood-hounds!

Banks of the Pow, March 20th, 1840.

BRUSHWOOD.

COURSING MEETINGS.

COUNTY CORK.-MARCH 12, 14, 16, AND 18.

The Challenge Cup, value £26, with a Sweepstakes (twenty-eight subs.)-Mr. Woodley's Shamrock beat Mr. Foley's Felin, Mr. Power's Kino beat Mr. Penrose's Jasper, Mr. Foley's Sam Slick beat Mr. French's Bevis, Mr. Woodley's Rock beat Mr. Hewitt's Tabitha, Mr. Foley's Simon beat Mr. Power's Taglioni, Mr. Hewitt's Grasshopper beat Mr. Leahy's Jumble, Mr. Leahy's Champion beat Mr. Foley's Nancy, Mr. Woodley's Rhoda beat Mr. French's Spy, Mr. Lynch's Bell beat Mr. Penrose's Ploughboy, Mr. Hewitt's Gem beat Mr. Penrose's Russell, Mr. Penrose's Red Rose beat Mr. French's Killigrew, Mr. Penrose's Pilot beat Mr. Leahy's Whip, Mr. Lynch's Sooty beat Mr. Penrose's Pirate, and Mr. Leahy's Sable beat Mr. Hewitt's Meteor. -First Ties.-Shamrock beat Pilot (drawn), Bell beat Sam Slick, Gem beat Sooty, Rhoda beat Champion, Kino beat Simon, Grasshopper beat Red Rose (drawn), and Sable beat Rocket. Second Ties.-Sable beat Kino (drawn), Shamrock beat Gem, Bell beat Grasshopper, and Rhoda ran a bye. Third Ties.-Rhoda beat Bell, and Sable beat Shamrock. Deciding Course.Sable having died after his last course, Mr. Woodley's Rhoda ran a bye, and won the Cup and Stakes. The Cup now becomes the property of Mr. Woodley, having won it for three successive years-the first with Rachel, the other two with Rhoda.

MOUNTAINSTOWN.-MARCH 24 AND 25.

The Castletown Stakes, with a Piece of Plate added.-Mr. Chaloner's Sweeper beat Mr. Pollok's Glama, Mr. Young's lago beat Mr. Pollok's Fly-by-night, Mr. Plunkett's Victor beat Mr. Young's Fly, and Mr. W. Smith's Jim Crow beat Mr. H. Garnett's Skip.- -Ties.-Sweeper beat lago, and Jim Crow beat Victor. Deciding Course.-Sweeper beat Jim Crow, and won

the Stakes.

The Merry-end Stakes were won by Mr. Young's Spring beating in the deciding course Mr. Plunkett's Turk:-and the Consolation Stakes, by Mr. Garnett's Skip beating Mr, Pollok's Twist.

THE CALEDONIAN.-MARCH 24, 25, AND 26.

The Caledonian Cup.-Lord Eglinton's Waterloo beat Mr. Geddes na. Glenkilloch, Lord J'ouglas's Hawthorn beat Mr. W. Ramsay's Rasper, Mr. Bruce Jardine's Carron beat Mr. A. Graham's Cacciatore, Mr. A. Graham's O Yes! O Yes! O Yes! beat Mr. King's Traveller, Sir W. A. Maxwell's Memnon beat Mr. Dingwall's Ada, Marquis of Douglas's Draffan beat Dr. Brown's Chance, Sir W. A. Maxwell's Mountain Dew beat Mr. Dingwall's Albinia, Mr. Baillie's The Bravo beat Dr. Brown's Oscar, Mr. Duggan na. The Nun beat Mr. Armstrong's Tramp, Mr. Geddes's Go beat Mr. Hunt's Zorrilla, Mr. King's Mat beat Marquis of Douglas's Darnley, Mr. Pollok's Match beat Mr. Armstrong's Mango, Lord Douglas's Kent beat Mr. Fowler na. The Jewess, Mr. Hunt's Empress beat Mr. W. Ramsay's Victor, and Lord Eglinton's Fingal ran a bye. -First Ties.-Waterloo beat Hawthorn, Draffan beat Memnon, Go beat The Nun, Kent beat Fingal, O Yes! beat Carron, The Bravo beat Mountain Dew, Mat beat Match, and Empress ran a bye. -Second Ties.-O Yes! beat Waterloo, Mat beat Go, The Bravo beat Draffan, and Empress beat Kent.-Third Ties.-O Yes! beat The Bravo, and Empress beat Mat.. Deciding Course.-Empress beat O Yes! and won the Cup.

The Caledonian Plate.-Mr. Downie na. Wings beat Mr. Raimes's Whimsy, Mr. Henderson's Wee Charlie beat Sir W. A. Maxwell's Merrythought, Mr. Dingwall's Ariel beat Mr. C. Dunlop na. Cringet, Lord Eglinton's Spankaway beat Mr. Henderson's Lady Maria, Mr. A. Graham's Landseer beat Mr. Craig na. Polly, Mr. A. Graham's Castlehill beat Lord Eglinton's Dreadnought, Mr. Slater's Smart beat Sir W. A. Maxwell's Mosstrooper, Dr. Brown's Whistle beat Mr. W. Ramsay's Rocket, Mr. Dingwall's Archduke beat Mr. Duggan's Dodger, Mr. Geddes's Glasgow beat Mr. Henderson's Prince Albert, Lord Douglas's Hero beat Marquis of Douglas's Dino, Mr. W. Ramsay's Robert beat Dr. Brown's Dancer, Marquis of Douglas's Driver beat Lord Douglas's Mastic, Mr. Slater's Maiden Queen beat Mr. Raimes's Captain, Mr. Downie's Cora beat Mr. Bake's Touchstone, and Mr. Bake's Venus beat Mr. C. Dunlop na. Grasper.First Ties.Wings beat Wee Charlie, Spankaway beat Ariel, Landseer beat Smart, Castlehill beat Whistler, Glasgow beat Arch Duke, Hero beat Robert, Maiden Queen beat Driver, and Venus beat Cora. -Second Ties.-Spankaway beat Wings (drawn after an undecided course on account of a severe accident), Maiden Queen beat Venus, Glasgow beat Landseer, and Castlehill beat Hero. Third Ties.-Glasgow beat Spankaway, and Maiden Queen beat Castlehill.——— -Deciding Course. Glasgow beat Maiden Queen, and won the Plate.

The Caledonian Purse.-Dr. Brown's Bess beat Mr. Dingwall's Atlas, Lord Douglas's Knight beat Mr. Pollok's Craigton, Sir W. A. Maxwell's Mignionette beat Mr. W. Ramsay's Round Robin, Sir W. A. Maxwell's Moustache beat Mr. W. Ramsay na. Carver. Mr. A. Graham's Myain-thing beat Mr. Dingwall na. Mr. Elmore's Cecrops, Lord Eglinton's Grace Darling beat Mr. A. Graham's Forester, Dr. Brown's Couper beat Lord Douglas's Beatock, Mr. Geddes's Glory beat Mr. Walker's Dashaway.First Ties.-Knight beat Bess, Glory beat Couper, Moustache beat Grace Darling, and Mignionette beat My-ain-thing. Second Ties.-Mignionette beat Knight, and Glory beat Moustache. Deciding Course.-Glory beat Mignionette, and won the Purse.

The Eaglesham Consolation Stakes were won by Sir W. A. Maxwell's Memnon beating in the deciding course Mr. A. Graham's Cacciatore:--and the Polnoon Castle Consolation Stakes, by Mr. Henderson's Wee Charlie beating Mr. King's Traveller.

BIGGAR. MARCH 31 AND APRIL 1.

The Champion Collar and Stakes.-Lord Douglas's Barefoot beat Mr. Hutcheson's Damper, Marquis of Douglas's Dewdrop beat Mr. Pender's January, Lord Douglas's Annan beat Mr. Hutcheson's Thacker, Mr. Borron's Bess beat Mr. Dickson's Bess, Mr. White's Wellington beat Mr. Dickson's Clyde, Mr. Anderson's Velox beat Mr. Dickson's Cora, Lord Douglas's Kent beat Mr. Geddes's Bob, Mr. A. Graham's Buttery burn beat Marquis of Douglas's Darnley, Mr. A. Graham's My Lord beat Mr. Hutcheson's Burke, Mr. A. Graham's Glenkilloch beat Lord Douglas's Hawthorn, and Mr. Borron's Britannia (late Caledonia) ran a bye.—First Ties.Dewdrop beat Barefoot, Annan beat Bess, Veloz beat Wellington, Kent beat Butteryburn, Britannia beat My Lord, and Glenkilloch ran a bye. Second Ties.-Dewdrop beat Annan, Kent beat Veloz, and Britannia beat Glenkilloch. Third Ties.-Dewdrop beat Britannia, and Kent ran a bye. Deciding Course.-Kent beat Dewdrop, and won the Collar and Stakes.

The Challenge Cup, the best of three heats, was won by Mr, Baillie Cochrane's Swallow beating Mr. Dickson's Spring.

MATCH BETWEEN LORD EGLINTON'S WATERLOO AND MR. BRUCE JARDINE'S CARRON.-At the late Caledonian Meeting, Mr. Geddes challenged Lord Eglinton's Waterloo with Mr. B. Jardine's Carron, for 100 sovs., and the event same off on Saturday the 4th of April at Eaglesham, in the presence of an immense assemblage of Amateurs and lovers of the Leash. In the first heat Waterloo made a splendid rush, and caught the hare in his mouth, but she struggled from his fangs, and Carron ran single-handed over one field before Waterloo recovered himself; he now