ment follows another, in accordance with the aptitude of the seasons; and, no sooner is one recreation or pastime bowled down, as it were, for a period, than, like the succession to kingly power, another is ready to take its innings, and to score notches against shrivelled care and pettish discontent.

Let no supporter, then, of our country's amusements repine that fox-hunting must for a while be considered an interdicted amusement-that his gallant steed should be permitted the ease and dignity of a summer's stabling, or the freshening qualities of a summer's run in a verdantly carpeted paddock (according as he may approve or the contrary modern Nimrod's system)-that his scarlet coat, bearing the glorious stains of many a well-worn day, must be exchanged for a less brilliant livery, and reynard be left quietly in his lair at the covert; and Gayless, and Playful, and Prettymaid, to rear their whelps amidst the warmth and comfort of the breeding-rooms.

In lieu of the "Yoicks! hey, wind and cross him," or the "Hark-forward, harkforward, tantivy-this day a stag must die!" those who are on our side may repair to the peopled course; and, from the exertions of the high-mettled racer and neatly-togged jockey, glean gratification-it may be profit; for, now that the Newmarket Craven has come off, turf meetings will follow each other in business-employing and actively consecutive order and from the entries (Liverpool and York Spring, soon to take place, are particularly' rich in such), and quality of the nags engaged, we feel persuaded the word of promise will not be a mere empty sound.

Soon, too, will the geniality of the season admit of many of those manly, though perchance rustic, ancient, though spirit-stirring, pastimes which patriotic monarchs have graciously condescended to patronize, and wise statesmen publicly to applaud. It will be time, when these fail, to echo the words of a nervous (the term is not used as indicative of strength) though consistent Nobleman, and say, "the sun of England is set for ever," and not till then. Foreign feud, and malice domestic, will find foes from out the ranks of those who uphold sport in all its branches too sturdy for the arm of the one or the hate of the other.

The Angler, he who is no man's foe, if man trample not upon his unobtrusive rights, must also " up up, and be doing." His palmerworms, his spinners, his dun-fly, will now rise the yet unwary trout; or his runningtackle, his worms, and his minnows, invite the spotted prize to gorge the hook in deep waters or stiller streams.

Thus, then, for sportsmen, as for fashionables, garland-fanciers, may-pole merriments, and our sooty sons of labour (the chimney. sweepers), the month is a cheerful and a busy one-may our friends and subscribers (and we hope all of the latter are the former) have

good health, good spirits, and good luck, to get through it satisfactorily, whether the turf or the town, the ring or the river-side, or all these, give them occupation.

HORSE RACING IN AFRICA.

"At Kiáma, in the kingdom of Borgoo, it is stated, in Landers' Discovery of the Termination of the Niger,' that in the afternoon all the inhabitants of the town, and many from the little villages in its neighbourhood, assembled to witness the horse-racing, which takes place always on the anniversary of the Bebun Sàlah,' and to which every one had been looking forward with impatience. Previous to its commencement, the king, with his principal attendants, rode slowly round the town, more for the purpose of receiving the admiration and plaudits of his people than to observe where distress more particularly prevailed, which was his avowed intention. A hint from the chief induced us to attend the course with our pistols, to salute him as he rode by; and as we felt a strong inclination to witness the amusements of the day, we were there rather sooner than was necessary, which afforded us, however, a fairer opportunity of observing the various groups of people which were flocking to the scene of amusement.

"The race-course was bounded on the north by low granite hills; on the south by a forest; and on the east and west by tall shady trees, among which were habitations of the people. Under the shadow of these magnificent trees the spectators were assembled, and testified their happiness by their noisy mirth and animated gestures. When we arrived, the king had not made his appearance on the course; but his absence was fully compensated by the pleasure we derived from watching the anxious and animated countenances of the multitude, and in passing our opinions on the taste of the women in the choice and adjustment of their fanciful and many-coloured dresses. The chief's wives and younger children sat near us in a group by themselves; and were distinguished from their companions by their superior dress. Manchester cloths of inferior quality, but of the most showy patterns, and dresses made of common English bed-furniture, were fastened round the waist of several sooty maidens, who, for the sake of fluttering a short hour in the gaze of their countrymen, had sacrificed in clothes the earnings of a twelvemonth's labour. All the women had ornamented their necks with strings of beads, and their wrists with bracelets of various patterns, some made of glass beads, some of brass, others of copper; and some again of a mixture of both metals: their ancles also were adorned with different sorts of rings, of neat workmanship.

"The distant sound of drums gave notice of the king's approach, and every eye was immediately directed to the quarter from

whence he was expected. The cavalcade shortly appeared, and four horsemen first drew up in front of the chief's house, which was near the centre of the course, and close to the spot where his wives and children and ourselves were sitting. Several men bearing on their heads an immense quantity of arrows in huge quivers of leopard's skin came next, followed by two persons who, by their extraordinary antics and gestures, we concluded to be buffoons. These two last were employed in throwing sticks into the air as they went on, and adroitly catching them in falling, besides performing many whimsical and ridiculous feats. Behind these, and immediately preceding the king, a group of little boys, nearly naked, came dancing merrily along, flourishing cows' tails over their heads in all directions. The king rode onwards, followed by a number of fine-looking men, on handsome steeds; and the motley cavalcade all drew up in front of his house, where they awaited his further orders without dismounting. This we thought was the proper time to give the first salute, so we accordingly fired three rounds; and our example was immediately followed by two soldiers with muskets which were made at least a century and

half ago.

"Preparations in the mean time had been going on for the race, and the horses with their riders made their appearance. The men were dressed in caps and loose tobes and trousers of every colour; boots of red morocco leather, and turbans of white and blue cotton. The horses were gaily caparisoned; strings of little brass bells covered their heads; their breasts were ornamented with bright red cloth and tassels of silk and cotton; a large quilted pad of neat embroidered patchwork was placed under the saddle of each; and little charms, enclosed in red and yellow cloth, were attached to the bridles with bits of tinsel. The Arab saddle and stirrup were in common use; and the whole group presented an imposing appearance.

"The signal for starting was made, and the impatient animals sprung forward and set off at a full gallop. The riders brandished their spears, the little boys flourished their cows' tails, and the buffoons performed their antics-muskets were discharged-and the chief himself, mounted on the finest horse on the ground, watched the progress of the race, while tears of delight were starting from his eyes. The sun shone gloriously on the tobes of green, white, yellow, blue, and crimson, as they fluttered in the breeze; and with the fanciful caps, the glittering spears, the jingling of the horses' bells, the animated looks, and warlike bearing of their riders, presented one of the most extraordinary and pleasing sights that we have ever witnessed. The race was well contested, and terminated only by the horses being fatigued and out of breath; but though every one was emulous to outstrip his companion, honor and fame were the only reward of the competitors.

"A few naked boys, on ponies without saddles, then rode over the course, after which the second and last heat commenced. This was not by any means so good as the first, owing to ethe greater anxiety which the horsemen evinc, d to display their skill in the use of the spear and the management of their animals. The king maintained his seat on horseback during these amusements, without even once dismounting to converse with his wives and children, who were sitting on the ground on each side of him. His dress was showy rather than rich, consisting of a red cap, enveloped in the large folds of a white muslin turban, two under tobes of blue and scarlet cloth, and an outer one of white muslin ; red trousers, and boots of scarlet and yellow leather. His horse seemed distressed by the weight of his rider, and the various ornaments and trappings with which his head, breast, and body were bedecked. The chief's eldest and youngest sons were near his women and other children, mounted on two noble-looking horses. The eldest of these youths was about eleven years of age: the youngest being not more than three, was held on the back of his animal by a male attendant, as he was unable to sit upright in the saddle without this assistance. The child's dress was ill-suited to his age. He wore on his head a tight cap of Manchester cotton, but it overhung the upper part of his face, and together with its ends, which flapped over each cheek, hid nearly the whole of his countenance from view; his tobe and trousers were made exactly in the same fashion as those of a man, and two large belts of blue cotton, which crossed each other, confined the tobe to his body. The little legs of the child were swallowed up in clumsy yellow boots, big enough for his father; and though he was rather pretty, his whimsical dress gave him altogether so odd an appearance, that he might have been taken for any thing but what he really was. A few of the women on the ground by the side of the king wore large white dresses, which covered their persons like a winding-sheet. Young virgins, according to custom, appeared in a state of nudity; many of them had wild flowers stuck behind their ears, and strings of beads, &c., round their loins; but want of clothing did not seem to damp their pleasure in the entertainment, for they appeared to enter into it with as much zest as any of their companions. Of the different coloured tobes worn by the men, none looked so well as those of a deep crimson colour on some of the horsemen; but the clean white tobes of the Mohammedan priests, of whom not less than a hundred were present on the occasion, were extremely neat and becoming. The sport terminated without the slightest accident, and the king's dismounting was the signal for the people to disperse.

"We have here endeavoured, to the best of our ability, to describe an African horse-race, but it is impossible to convey a correct idea

of the singular and fantastic appearance of the numerous groups of people that met our view on all sides, or to describe their animation and delight; the martial equipment of the soldiers and their noble steeds, and the wild, romantic, and overpowering interest of the whole mass. Singing and dancing have been kept up all night, and the revellers will not think of retiring to rest till morning."

ROYAL PLATES AND 100 GUINEAS,

Run for in Great Britain in 1831, with the

names of the winners, weight, &c. Newmarket, April 19th; Lucetta, by Reveller, 4yrs, 9st 4lb, R. C.-April 21st: Oppidan, by Rubens, 5yrs, 11st. R. C.

Chester, May 3d: Cupid, by Tramp, 4yrs, 8st 2lb, thrice round.

Manchester, May 25th: The Earl, by Percy, 6yrs, 11st. 5lb, three miles and a distance.

Ascot Heath, May 31st: Oppidan, 6yrs, 11st 12lb, four miles.-June 3d: Falconbridge, by Manfred, 5yrs, 11st 7lb, 2 miles and dis.

Hampton, June 8th: Bustle, by Whalebone, 4yrs, Sst 71b; heats, twice round and a -distance.

Newcastle, June 21st: Carolan, by Catton, 4yrs, 10st 71b, 4m.

Guilford, June 28: Abel, by Filho da Puta, 5 yrs, 11st 71b, four mile heats.

Ipswich, July 5th; Brown colt by Comus, out of Rotterdam, 4yrs, 10st 71b, four mile heats.

Salisbury, July 28th: Jocko, by Filho da Puta, aged, 12st, four mile heats.

Chelmsford, July 26th: Schumla, by Sultan, 4yrs, 8st 5lb, two mile heats.

Edinburgh, July 27th: Round Robin, by Borodino, 5yrs, 8st 2lb, four mile heats. York, Aug. 2d; Windcliffe, by Waverley, 4yrs, 10st 7lb, 4 miles.

Lewes, Aug. 4th: Mahmoud, by Sultan, 4yrs, 10st 7lb, 4-m. h.

Weymouth, Aug. 17, ocko, aged, 11st 7lb; heats, about 2 m.

Goodwood, Aug. 19th: Midhurst, by Whalebone, 3yrs, 7st, 3m.

Canterbury, Aug. 24th: Camillus, by Cannon Ball, 6yrs, 11st 12lb, four-mile heats.

Winchester, Aug. 24th: Jocko, aged, 12st, four-mile heats.

Warwick, Sept. Sth: Jocko, aged, 12st, two-mile heats.

Lichfield, Sept. 13th: Jocko, aged, 12st, four-mile heats.

Doncaster, Sept. 19th: Windcliffe, 4yrs, 10st 71b, four-miles.

Shrewsbury, Sept. 22d: Hazard, by Waverley, 5yrs, 9st Slb, thrice round and a distance.

Carlisle, Sept. 28th: The Earl, 6 yrs, 11st 12lb, four-miles.

Lincoln, Sept. 28th: Maria, by Whiskey, 4yrs, 8st 4lb, 2-m, h.

Richmond, Oct. 5th: Lady Sarah, by Tramp, 5yrs, 10st. 4 m.

Newmarket, Oct. 6th: Schumla, 4yrs, 10st 71b, R. C.

Caledonian Hunt, Oct. 14th: Charley, by Percy, aged, 10st, 4 m.

N.B.-The King's Plate, at Nottingham, was not run for this year.

DITTO IN IRELAND

Curragh, April 26th: Vat, by Langar, 4yrs, 8st 71b, four miles.-April 28th: Skylark, by Waxy, 4yrs, 10st, four-mile heats.-April 30th The Distingué, by Waxy, 3yrs, 7st 11lb, three miles.-June 14; The Distingué, 4yrs, 8st 7lb, two-mile heats.-June 16th: Mount Eagle, by Waxy, 5yrs, 12st 4lb, fourmile heats.-June 17th: Skylark, 5yrs, 9st, three-mile heats.-June 18th: Mount Eagle, 5 yrs, 9st, four-mile heats.

Bellewstown, June 30th: Skylark, 5 yrs, 8st 9lb, three-mile heats.

Royal Corporation, July 20th: Skylark, 5yrs, 9st 71b, four-mile heats.-July 23d: Skylark, 5yrs, 9st two-mile heats.

Curragh, Sept. 7th; Mount Eagle, 5yrs, 12st, four-mile heats.-Sept. 8th: Cinnamon, by Middleton, 3yrs, 8st, two-miles.-Sept. 9th: Urganda, by Tiresias, 6 yrs, 10st, four mile heats.-Oct. 19th Mount Eagle, 5yrs, 10st 51b, three miles.

The Lord Lieutenant's Plate, Sept. 10th: Mount Eagle, 5 yrs, 8st 8lb, four miles. The King's Plate, at Londonderry, was won by Skylark.

A CAPITAL POINTER.

A dog belonging to a gentleman in Dumfries, at once pointed a hare, a brace of partridges, and a black cock. Upon the gentleman's going up, the hare rose and was shot; upon reloading, the dog still stood fast, when the partridges got up and met with the same fate; and in the act of reloading, and the dog still pointing, the black cock sprung from a bush within a few yards, and escaped, from the shot of the gun.

THE SPORTMAN'S MISTRESS!

All good, like the woodcock, a mistress I boast,
Like the snipe, she will make a most excellent toast
Like the quail, she's compact, and as smooth as a par-
tridge

That never was ruffled by sound of a cartridge;
Like a well-fatted landrail, she's gentle and pleasant,
And, in external ornament, shines like the pheasant;
Like the hare, and the rabbit, she's prudent and shy,
But sometimes, like them, is found out by her eye.
What more need be said? I must take her to house,
For her hands are as soft as the feet of a grouse.

TALLY-HO

amongst hard-working men to return to their employments with spirit and cheerfulness; and to quote an old couplet on the subject

ALL WORK and no alloy,

Will make Jack-a dull boy. Then, if the middling or lower classes cannot partake of the fascinations of the Opera, the attractions of the Theatre, or dress sufficiently well for the splendid Ball, surely they ought not to be deprived of those harmless pleasures which (however rude and uncultivated they may appear in the eyes of persons who move in a superior sphere of life) to the industrious part of society prove such a source of pleasure and enjoyment. Indeed, our legislators and magistrates ought always to bear in mind those four delightful lines of the late Dr. Goldsmith, abounding with so much poetic simplicity and animated truth, and which have been quoted so many times with such great effect, to support the above positions in the scale of society, and in no places have they been insisted upon with more strength and good feeling than in both Houses of Parliament :

Princes and Lords may flourish or may fade : A breath can make them as a breath has made: But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed can never be supplied. Then such sports, the RUSTIC SPORTS, as we are about to describe, we trust will always be supported by the Government of the country; and that the poorer classes of society may enjoy them without the slightest infringement being attempted by any would-be overbearing Aristocracy!

Some few years since, in a trial where a few individuals in the country were indicted for a riot, in consequence of their having started donkey-races, running for shifts, &c., merely for amusement, whom the learned Sergeant Best, designated the Prosecutors, in his address to the Jury, by the title of the Decemvirate of Plaistow :-"This Decemvirate," said Sergeant Best, "declaring to the astonished inhabitants what those persons think, or wish others to think of the law with regard to wakes and fairs. Such a law, if it exists, has made those inhabitants, and the inhabitants of most other villages and towns in the kingdom, and their forefathers, from the earliest periods of history down to this moment, transgressors. The law promulgated by them is, that all such pastimes (donkeyracing, women running for shifts, and men jumping in sacks) are breaches of the peace, and therefore illegal.' Where do these men find any such doctrine, or that those pastimes are breaches of the peace? Who but the learned Plaistow Decemvirate has ever said that merriment, producing no violence to any person, and exciting no terror, breaks the peace? Men assemble at wakes for the purpose of merriment, and they have been allowed so to assemble in all times, and in all parts of the kingdom. Wakes, and such amusements as were had at Plaistow, are as old as the law itself; they cannot, therefore, be contrary to

law. Can any man point out any mischief that results from them? It is true they may for a while make the labourer forget the aching of his weary limbs, and the poor man forget the wretchedness of his poverty. But surely there is nothing repugnant either to law or to religion in this. The law in a free government allows every man to do whatever he pleases, provided it be not injurious to himself or his neighbour. In the permission to do what does not injure ourselves or others, and the restraint that prevents us from what does, consists true British Liberty. God forbid that bigotry or superstition should ever break in on the principles that secure this blessing to every part of our community. It is this which has made us a happy people among ourselves, and a great, a dreaded, and envied nation amongst the powers of the earth. In this proud situation shall we always continue, as long as we look to the laws of our forefathers as the rule of our rights and the regulator of our conduct; and take care to preserve our national habits, manners, and customs. From the union of these has arisen our national spirit, our love of independence, of justice, and of our country—the true and only sources of all our greatness and all our happiness. Wakes and their amusements are amongst these customs, and are the fruits of our liberty. He who would destroy them would make a change in our manners and habits, the extent of which he cannot see, and for the consequences of which no good man would choose to answer. He would take away the whole of the amusements of the lower orders -and he must be a shallow politician who does not perceive that, so far from preventing order, by allowing these amusements, order can only be preserved by permitting the great body of the people to enjoy themselves in their own way, the way into which they have been led by the privileges of their forefathers, and which continues to delight them because it is known to have always delighted. Therefore, it clearly follows that assemblies at wakes, or other festival times, or meetings for exercise of common sports and diversions, as bullbaiting, wrestling, and such like, are not riotous. People assembled at a festival time, for the exercise of common sports, and I must say of sports that, however ridiculous they may appear to persons of great austerity of manners, must be allowed even by such persons, to be less cruel than those which, according to the great authority to which I have referred, are permitted by the law.

But what is there in donkey-racing, jumping in sacks, or running for shifts, that can strike terror into the minds of the king's subjects? These amusements may be followed with noise; but it is a noise that exhilarates the mind instead of occasioning terror. Gentlemen, I boast no great strength of nervesmuch of my life has been spent under the pressure of the disease with which I am at this moment afflicted; but I am not so sub