Since you paid me the compliment of inserting my short account of the Hopwood Beagles, then comparatively in their infancy, the little pack, spite of a diminution of country and the harassing affliction of kennel lameness, have had an uninterrupted series of good seasons of sport, and though they are still of the same average height, 15 inches, have killed or accounted for their game with the most unvarying success. Two years ago that well-known character Jack Mathews, the huntsman, was summoned to his long home, having faithfully served his master, and actively pursued his calling till past 70. He was succeeded by Abraham Howarth, an excellent foot man, and a steady civil servant, who takes great pride in the condition of his hounds, and bids fair to rival his predecessor in the deep mysteries of the quest, the chase, the double, and the foil. My present object, however, is not a description of the hounds or their performances, but a short notice of the death of a true old Sportsman belonging to the Hunt, whose history, though short and simple, is so truly extraordinary and unparalleled, that I should not venture to relate it had not the fact I am about to state come under my own most certain knowledge and immediate observation. On the 17th of February in the present year our old friend and brother Sportsman ELEAZER ASHTON died in the 98th year of his age. Devoted to hunting, he entirely attributed his health and long life to that pursuit:-"I never missed a chance of it sin I wür a lad; but mind, I ever put on dry shoes and stockings when I geet home." On the 12th of August last (on the opening day as he called it) he went as usual to keep his birthday, his 97th, at Hopwood, walking three miles from his residence at Dilsworth, and back, and on that occasion his voice and laugh were as strong and hearty as ever. In October he was out two or three times with the hounds when near his own house, but his powers were then fast failing. Up to this season he was always found at the place of meeting, his hands upon the hook of a long hazle stick, on which he rested his chin, with a circle of chaps about him not unfrequently composed of his own descendants. About four years ago when so standing, on the arrival of the Gentlemen, and after the usual greetings, he addressed Mr. H.-" Mester Hoppud, will you step this way, and I'll just shew you a queer touch." He led the way to a house, and gave a shout out came a fine young woman (a great grand-daughter) with a child in her arms—“There now," said he with some pride, “ you may go home and tell 'em you've hunted with five generations i' th' same field." His anxiety to hear of our sport continued to his last day. On the evening of his death a grandson, who had been out with the hounds in the morning, called to see him the old man asked where the hounds had been, and what they had done; and on being told that after a good run and killing their hare they had gone home at eleven o'clock, he expressed great surprise, and said quickly, "What could mak 'em do so?" In two hours after he was dead. : 66 He said of himself that he was always an early riser, and never a hard drinker. "I had my bouts," said he, now and then, but I never damaged my health i' that fashion." He had a fresh and clear complexion, an honest open countenance, with a carriage upright to the last, each a faithful index of his health and character. He married his first wife the year George the Third ascended the Throne, and lived like a patriarch indeed: he had 8 children, 42 grand children, 112 great grand children, and 11 great great grand children. He was highly respected during his long life, and died regretted by all who knew him, but by none more than his worthy patron, the Master of the merry Hopwood Pack. TIM BOBBIN, CROXTON PARK RACES. THIS meeting, which, like all others confined to Cocktail racing, had dwindled down to nothing, may now boast a glorious revival, thanks to the Granby Handicap, and the other Stakes open to horses of every description, there now being only two Stakes confined to the so-called half-bred horses. The experiment of a second day's race, which last year was thought a failure, there being little of either sport or company, had this the most decisive success, and there can be no doubt of Croxton Park becoming, if continued with equal spirit, the great Spring Meeting of the Midland Counties. To effect this some alterations are required, but the principal one is an improvement of the course, especially of the run-in. It is notorious to every frequenter of these races, that the horse which gains the ridge of the land on turning for straight running obtains a great advantage over the others. To explain this we must mention that this Park has scarcely any flat surface in it, being a succession of ridge and furrow, presenting all the appearance of a large ploughed field recently seeded down, and intended to be ploughed again. The land on which the run-in is not being perfectly straight, the horses must sometimes be on the side or down in the furrow, or describe a tortuous course to keep the advantage of ground. The levelling of this part of the course would be attended with little expense, and a beautiful flat run-in would be formed, which would allow every horse to have an equal chance of getting in front now the three or four leading horses at the turn are frequently able to shut others out their superiors in speed, but which have reserved their powers for the finish. The races commenced on Wednesday, April 8th, and were attended by a much larger number of persons of all ranks than for several years last past. There was a numerous assemblage of the Gentry of the neighbouring counties, and though neither the Duke of Rutland nor the Marquis of Granby was present, there was a large party from Belvoir, comprising several of the younger branches of the family, the Marquis and Marchioness of Beresford, Mr. and Mrs. Assheton Smith, Hon. C. and Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley, and many others. Melton was full to overflowing: among the distinguished visitors thence were, Lords Wilton, Forester, Rosslyn, Macdonald, Howth, Rancliffe, Cranstoun, Waterford, and Gardner; Count Bathyany; Sir Frederic Johnstone, Sir David Baird, Sir James Boswell, Sir Wolstan Dixie, Sir Maxwell Wallace, Sir Jukes Clifton; Messrs. White, Gilmour, Percy, Williams, Moore, Maher, and Musters; Captains Pettit, Willan, Hovenden; and most of the Officers of the 5th Dragoon Guards. Among the Ladies were, the Countess of Rosslyn, Lady Clifton, Lady Wallace, Mrs. W. Musters, Mrs. Norton, and a large party from Elston. The weather was during the first day just what is expected at Croxton races, a north-east wind, bringing every half hour a storm of snow and hail, and then a gleam of sunshine, which enabled you to see that your neighbours were as cold as yourself, and this in a place where there is no possibility of getting under cover, if you have any compassion for your hack; for to see the sport here it is absolutely necessary to be on horseback. The first race of the day is usually the Farmers' Plate, and this was the first on the list. The lot brought out were not so good as we have but there were two or three nice horses among them. Ten were entered, and nine started. seen, .... THE FARMERS' PLATE of 50 sovs., and 10 to the second horse, given for horses not thorough-bred (the property of and bred by Farmers residing within the district of country hunted by the Belvoir, Quorndon, or Cottesmore hounds), which have been regularly hunted with one of those packs, and have never started except for this Plate, paid, or received forfeit :-fouryear-olds, 11st. 101b.; five, 12st. 3lb.; six and aged, 12st. 7fb.-Mares allowed 31b.-A winner not allowed to start.-To be ridden by Farmers or their Sons.-Two miles.-Heats. Mr. Horsepool's Bearblock, by Rector, aged (Mr. Pilgrim) Mr. Sampey's Jocelyn, by King of the Valley, aged (Owner) Mr. Stokes's Whitefoot, by Advance, 4 yrs (Mr. Guy) Mr. Pyatt's Little Tommy, aged (Mr. Nichol).. Mr. Wilders's Kate Kearney, 5 years (Owner) Mr. Hilton's Emma, by Rector, 5 yrs (Mr. Mackley) Mr. Wright's ch. g. by Saracen, 6 yrs (Owner).... Mr. Clarke's b. g. by Alonzo, 6 yrs (Mr. Spriggs). Mr. Gibson's br. m. by Sir Gilbert, 6 yrs (Mr. Lunn). 2 1 1 3 3 2 1 2 dis. dr. dis. dis. ......... dr. First heat-Alonzo the favorite, who made play, followed by Jocelyn and Bearblock: when he had gone half the distance, he was passed in succession by the above, Little Tommy, Whitefoot, and Kate Kearney. On coming into straight running, Bearblock went in front, and maintained his lead to within a stride of the Judge's chair, where Whitefoot was declared half a neck in advance.-Second heat: Kate Kearney went off with the lead, followed by Bearblock, the rest all well up. At the last turn Bearblock took up the running, followed by Whitefoot, and won by two lengths; Jocelyn third. In the last heat, Jocelyn made play, followed by Bearblock and Whitefoot, who passed him near the starting post, and were well together at the turn; but here Guy broke a stirrup-leather, Whitefoot bolted, and Bearblock went in an easy winner. We have mentioned all these heats together, though in point of fact they take place at widely distant intervals, the third heat being the last race of the day. This is hardly fair, as the horses run on both days, and are generally kept each day at least six hours out of the stable. The next race should have been a Match between Mr. Lacy's Viola and Mr. Doncaster's Gambolette, each 4 yrs, for 200 sovs., 8st. 4lb. each, Coplow Course.-Mr. Lacy had engaged Mr. Sadler, who would, however, have rode considerably above the specified weight: the other party could not procure a Gentleman-jock anything near the weight; and as no professional jockey is allowed to ride here, the Match was declared off, Mr. Lacy offering to renew it for from one to five hundred to come off at the Manchester Meeting. The Scurry Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with the munificent sum of 13 sovs. added, for horses of all denominations, 12st. each. The straight Course, a little less than the third of a mile.-Eight subs., of which seven appeared. Mr. Willan's Robin, by Master Richard, aged (Owner) ....... 0 1 Mr. Worth's Corinthian, 6 yrs (Captain Williams) ........... 3 Not placed :-Mr. A. M'Donough's Lorenzo, 6 yrs (Owner); Mr. Christian's b. m. by Rector, 6 yrs (Hon. J. Villiers); Lord Chesterfield's Cubhunter, aged (Lord Wilton), and Mr. Eddowes's Ikey Solomons, aged (Owner). Betting: 2 to 1 agst Lorenzo.-After a little difficulty occasioned by the owner of Ikey Solomons, a follower of Esculapius at Melton, who could not determine whether to ride in his specs or without them, a start took place, but the doctor was so long in getting ready that the lot got ten lengths a-head before his horse was well on his legs, and kept well together until past the distance post, when Columbine and Robin went in front, and after a severe struggle ended by a dead heat. The Marquis, from what cause we know not, half a dozen reasons being discovered for him, dismounted before going to scale, and having thus disqualified himself, Robin was declared the winner.-Lord Chesterfield has almost farmed this Stake of late, but his chance was quite out today from Cubhunter breaking down. THE GRANBY HANDICAP of 20 Sovs. each, 10 ft., and only 5 if declared by February 20, with 35 sovs. added, for horses of all denominations, two-year-olds excepted.-Once round and a distance, about a mile and five-eighths.-Three to start or no money given.-The winner to subscribe to the Granby and the Coplow 1841.-Fifty-three subs., eighteen of whom declared, and twenty paid forfeit. Mr. Jones's Bolivar, half-bred, by Dactyle out of Blue Ruin, aged, 11st. (Mr. Kent)............ 1 Mr. Fairlie's The Hydra, 5 yrs, 11st. 8lb. (Captain Pettit) 2 Not placed:-Mr. H. S. Thompson's Van Buren, 6 yrs, 11st. 2lb. (Owner); Mr. Bell's Fernely, half-bred, 4 yrs, 10st. 8lb. (Captain Williams); Hon. S. Herbert's Arctic, half-bred, aged, 12st. (Mr. Osbaldeston); Lord Waterford's Cardinal Puff, 6 yrs, 13st. 8lb. (Owner); Sir D. Baird's Morning Star, aged, 11st. (Owner); Captain Lamb's Gardham, 6 yrs, 11st. (Mr. A. M'Donough); Lord Howth's The Clock, 6 yrs, 10st. 8lb. (Mr. W. M'Donough); Mr. Harrison's The Tumbler, 6 yrs, 10st. 8lb. (Mr. Whitworth); Mr. Westbrook's Cerberus, half-bred, 4 yrs, 9st. 11b. (Mr. W. Sadler); Mr. Worthington's Northenden, 5 yrs, 11st. (Lord Wilton); Mr. Willan's Robin, aged, 10st. (Mr. Tongue); Mr. Arthur's Poet, 4 yrs, 10st. 4lb. (Mr. Sirdefield); and Mr. Milward's b. g. by Brutandorf, half-bred, 5 yrs, 10st. 10lb. (Mr. White). The betting previous to the start was 5 to 2 agst Hydra, the same agst Fernely, 100 even being laid on the two; 5 to 1 agst Arctic, 6 to 1 agst Van Buren, 8 to 1 agst Puff, 10 to 1 each agst Northenden, Brutandorf gelding, The Clock, and the Poet.-One or two false starts were caused by the restiveness of The Clock, who capered in front and reared so high that once he was nearly backwards: W. M'Donough very cleverly throwing his arms round his neck and bringing all his weight on the shoulder, brought him down on his legs. "Will your Clock never strike?" asked Mr. White.-" Sure, Gentlemen," says M'Donough, "you might make things pleasant; just give me these twenty yards." This modest proposal not being acceded to, The Clock at length came into line, and a most beautiful start took place. After going two or three hundred yards, strong running commenced, Cerberus and Brutandorf leading, Robin, the Poet, and The Hydra following, the rest close at hand. On reaching the turn last but one previous to the straight run, Van Buren got in front; The Hydra was next: Bolivar and Fernely also emerged from the centre, and made the turn to the straight running. Here Van Buren and Hydra had the advantage of the ground, being nearly abreast on the crest of the land, Bolivar alongside but more in the furrow, Fernely close upon the two former. Half way up the distance Bolivar went in front and won cleverly, The Hydra being second, and Van Buren third. At the time Bolivar went a-head, Fernely appeared running within himself; Captain Williams called upon him, but the two horses before him at that moment closing together, he was compelled to pull him on one side towards the furrow, by which the horse lost his stroke, and did not afterwards make up his ground. Thursday was a favorable day; the sun shone brightly, and the ground no longer seemed peopled by bear-skins and pea-jackets; nevertheless, a north-east wind exerted its chilling influence, and sadly pinched up the features of the fair occupants of the carriages. The Farmers' Handicap of 50 sovs. and 5 for the second horse-to be run for by the horses that started for the Farmers' Plate, to be ridden by Gentlemen-was the first race; once round, heats :— ..... ........ 2 2 dr. dr. dis. Mr. Hilton's Emma, 6 yrs, 11st. 8lb. (Lord Wilton).............. 1 1 Mr. Horsepool's Bearblock, aged, 13st. (Mr. White) Mr. Pyatt's Little Tommy, aged, 11st. 9lb. (Mr. Parr) ........... Mr. Wilder's Kate Kearney, 5 yrs, 11st. 9lb. (Captain Becher).... Mr. Wright's ch. g. by Saracen, 6 yrs, 12st. (Mr. A. M'Donough).. Mr. Gibson's br. m. by Sir Gilbert, 6 yrs, 10st. 5lb. (Capt. Pettit).. Mr. Sampey's Jocelyn, aged, 12st. 5lb. (Hon. J. Villiers) Mr. Stokes's Whitefoot, 4 yrs, 11st. 9fb. (Captain Williams)...... On taking the canter for the first heat Whitefoot bolted out of the course nearly as far as the wall of the paddock where the horses saddle. Captain Williams with some difficulty got him into the course and up to the starting-post. Jocelyn not having yet arrived, he went down to the distance-post to try another canter, and met Mr. Villiers at this point, when the first six of the above started. Captain Williams remained quietly at the distance-post; Mr. Villiers gallopped half a mile after the others, and then stopped. M'Donough took the lead among the six, and kept it until coming to the last turn, where he was passed by Bearblock and Emma, who were together at the distance post; at the half distance the mare had the advantage, and won by nearly a length. For the second heat, six again started, the two which had not run the first heat being admitted, and two being drawn. Mr. A. M'Donough now mounted Whitefoot, but could not restrain him, as, on commencing his canter, he bolted among the crowd and went quite down to the wall; he was led up to the course, and with some difficulty Mr. M'Donough then cantered him up to the starting-post: the moment he arrived, the others having been waiting, the word was given, and off they went, Jocelyn making running, followed by Bearblock and Emma, Whitefoot being last. In this order they remained to the turn for straight running, where Whitefoot crept up to Kate Kearney and Tommy, being inside close to the furrow half way up the distance M'Donough put his head in front, when he immediately bolted across the course, narrowly missing a collision with Bearblock, |