the work before us strong claims to interest, independent of more than very ordinary merit. But, "THE ROCK," like its mighty sponsor, has assumed a port that will make it known for itself. It stands, and proudly, on its own merits. If store of most pleasant legend, embellished with painting, poetry, and music, render not a volume attractive and popular, we should like to know what had become of the taste of that people by whom it should be coldly received. We regret that the length to which our literary notices, of necessity, are extended this month, prevents us from laying before our readers some of the very elegant effusions of Major Hort's muse. We shall certainly avail ourselves of an early opportunity to do so; and, in the mean time, offer, as welcome counsel, the selection of this most amusing miscellany to all who would combine, in their reading, entertainment and information, conveyed in the language and style of the scholar and the gentleman. THE HAND-BOOK OF SWINDLING. By the late Captain Barabbas Whitefeather. With Illustrations by Phiz. London: Chapman and Hall, 186, Strand. 1839. Here is a treatise suited to the meanest capacity, even to his, in the items of whose education the study of the alphabet was not included. The marrow and pith of the volume may be read in the Phiz that does duty as frontispiece. Butler tells us— "Nature has made men's breasts no windores, To publish what she doth within doors;" but what need of lattice, when she hangs out such signs as commonly is her wont. At the first glance, the portrait of Captain Whitefeather will be pronounced a caricature, and men will say, "Who could be duped by a fellow with a mug like that?" Go, verdant ones, to Tattersall's, any Monday or Thursday of the year, look at, or or all good legs and true, with faces that would grace gibbets, and purses stuffed by the aristocracy of the land, merely for the pleasure of their company at the "corner." Why, in lieu of being kicked into kennels for their villainous indices, to each of those gorgons, "his face is his fortune." There is excellent philosophy in this little book of Messieurs Chapman and Hall; and as for its truth, if it err at all, it is in being over true. Pray, among the thousands who honour us with their patronage, is there one who may have a troublesome correspondent in the vicinity of Clifford or Conduit street? let him hear Barabbas : "The benevolence (paying a tailor) is so much goodness lost-wasted-flung to the winds; for you are to bear with you this recollection, it is an axiom in his trade that the tailor never loses. Them as does pay,'-such was the confession of an eminent coat-maker, after his second bottle of Burgundy, drank at Button Park, his country seat, 'them as does pay,' said the good man, 'pays for them as doesn't.' Can there be a finer protection for trade, and the satisfaction of the non-paying?" UP THE RHINE. By Thomas Hood. London: A. H. Baily and Co., Cornhill. 1840. We received this Hand-book of Momus as we were going to press, and have but time to say that, from the peep we took, we scarcely regret the necessity for postponing our review till next month. We shall then have space to do it and the reader justice, which no passing notice would enable us to accomplish. FINE ARTS. Painted by F. Grant. THE MELTON BREAKFAST. Engraved by Charles G. Lewis. London: Hodgson and Graves, Pall-Mall. Mr. Grant is the father of the most interesting style belonging to that department of the Fine Arts of which he is the undisputed head. He is the first historical sporting painter that this country has seen; and his earliest essay in the path he discovered, led to complete success. The Royal Hunt is a picture to which time will but bring additional interest and value :-of the same character is the subject of the present notice. Probably, no master that ever lived succeeded in placing on one piece of canvas eleven such portraits as are combined in the Melton Breakfast: those of Lord Forester and Mr. Massey Stanley, for instance, are actually all but animate. The etching of this splendid engraving, which we spoke of some months back as promising rare excellence for the finished work, did not even permit us to hope for the perfection to which Mr. Lewis has wrought it. It were needless for us to say, that the spirit which offers to public admiration such gems of art as this, deserves a liberal patronage it must command it, so long as good taste and true discernment are found among us. HOUND HARD PRESSED. Painted by F. C. Turner. Engraved by E. and G. Treacher. London: Ackermann and Co., Strand. 1839. The design which the painter has here embodied is a foxhound bitch, of complete symmetry and beauty, "head up and stern down," with every energy strained to the utmost; while the curtain of the night, that appears half drawn, is typical of the length of the chase in which she has been engaged. It is a subject meant for the sportsman, and to him it tells its story eloquently; while to the uninitiated the meaning is less distinct. Were we to inquire more nicely into the cause of her being so "hard pressed," perhaps we should say the painter has given the most obvious one in the too abundant condition he has bestowed upon her. Nevertheless, it is a very pleasing performance, and of a good character of art. "DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND," a noted short-horned Prize-Bull, bred by, and the property of, Thomas Bates, Esq., of Kirkleavington, near Yarm, Yorkshire. Painted by H. Strafford: engraved by J. W. Giles. London: Messrs. Fores, 41, Piccadilly. We really approach his Grace with great diffidence, seeing that we are not familiar with his peculiar clique, and should consider it anything but a joke to commit ourselves with a bull the size of an elephant. "The Duke of Northumberland" is a beeve of entire beauty, and his Grease weighs "180 stone of 14 lb!" From his withers to his caudal insertion he is as straight as a ramrod, and his anatomical affinities are such as would have been those of the Irish Giant, had he been set upon Count Buorruwlaski's legs. The curious in "short horns are, by this time, assured of his perfection; and if there be, who cannot estimate such qualities-poor ignorant individuals -we can only pity their obfuscation. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB'S CATTLE EXHIBITION. Drawn and Lithographed by J. W. Giles. London: Messrs. Fores, 41, Piccadilly. 1839. This unctuous show celebrated its recent anniversary in the Horse Bazaar, King-street, Portman-square: such a plague of live-tallow was never before known in the city and liberties of Westminster. We, ourselves, confess to having visited that exhibition-a sight to force blushes from a walrus. Contrast a slice from the haunch of a fiveyear old South-down wedder, that never knew turnip, and an obscene collop cut from a brute as gorged with oily abomination as the hold of a whaler! But we have lost sight of the picture, which is a meritorious and a natural representation, of as unmeritorious and unnatural a subject, or, rather, sets of subjects, as fancy can conceive. CHARLES THE TWELFTH, Winner of the Doncaster St. Leger, 1839. Painted by Charles Hancock: engraved by J. Harris. London: R. Ackermann, 191, Regent-street. Whether the sportsman examines this work for its merit as a portrait, or the artist simply as a work of art, each must acknowledge its excellence. The style in which Ackermann brings out his admirable series of winners of the Derby, Oaks, and St. Leger, is as conspicuous for spirit as good taste. As a standard sporting work, it has justly acquired a character to which none had before attained; the distinguished artist engaged in its production ranking, unquestionably, next to Landseer as an animal painter. Setting aside its claims as a picture, the life-like fidelity with which Charles the Twelfth is here presented, has, probably, never been excelled in any horse portrait. TURF REGISTER. It is not thought convenient to give the details of the running at the Minor Meetings. BODMIN.-THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH. The Cornwall and Bodmin Stakes of 3 sovs. each, with 25 sovs. added by the Members for the Eastern Division of the County; two miles. Mr. Read's ch. c. Mount Tavy, by Coronet (half-bred), three-years old, 7 st. 2 lb. Mr. R. Nattle's b. m. Venilia, five-years old, 7 st. 13 lb. Mr. Hex's bl. g. The Moor (half-bred), aged, 11 st. 10 lb. Mr. Williams's b. c. Warleigh (half-bred), three-years old, 8 st. 11 lb. ... 1 A Purse, given by the Tradesmen of Bodmin, for hacks, was won, at three heats, by Mr. Carlisle's b. f. Caustic, four-years old, 8 st. 10 lb., beating Mountain Maid, 9 st. 2 lb., Billy, by Hindoostan, three-years old, a feather, and six others. A Plate of 25 sovs. given by the Members for the Borough, added to a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each; two-mile heats. Mr. Hex's bl. g. The Moor (half-bred), 11 st. 8 lb. (Carlin) ... A Purse for the beaten hacks, heats, one mile, was won, at three heats, by Mr. Williamson's gr. c. Billy, by Hindoostan, three-years old, a feather, beating Mountain Maid and five others. LINCOLN. THURSDAY, September 26th.-Her Majesty's Plate of 100 gs. for mares; three-year-olds, 8 st. 2 lb.; four, 9 st. 4 Îb.; five, 9 st. 11 lb.; six and aged, 10 st.; two-mile heats. Mr. Orde's b. m. Bee's-wing, by Doctor Syntax, six-years old walked over. A Hunter's Stakes of 5 sovs. each, for horses not thorough-bred, that have been regularly hunted during the season, 1838 and 1839; four-year-olds, 10 st. 11 lb.; five, 11 st. 8 lb.; six and aged, 12 st.; m. and g. allowed 3 lb.; gentlemen riders; two-mile heats (ten subscribers). Mr. E. T. D'Eyncourt na. b. g. Gay-lad, by Brutandorf, out of Gay-lass, six- 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 dr. FRIDAY.-Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, h. ft., with 25 added by the Corporation, for two-yearold colts, 8 st. 7 lb., and fillies, 8 st. 4 lb.; three-quarters of a mile (four subscribers). Capt. Elmsall's b. c. by Medoro, dam by Y. Phantom, grandam by Camillus, out of sister to Prime Minister (Holmes) A Gold Cup, or Piece of Plate, value 100 sovs., by subscription of 10 sovs. each, for all ages; three-miles (ten subscribers). Mr. Orde's b. m. Bee's-wing, six-years old, 9 st. walked over. The Noblemen and Gentlemen's Subscription Purse of 70 sovs.; three-year-olds, 7 st. 21b.; four, 8 st. 4 lb. ; five, 8 st. 11 lb.; six and aged, 9 st.; m. and g. allowed 2 lb.; a winner of a cup or stakes above £100 during the year, but previous to the day of nomination, to carry 3 lb. ; of two, 5 lb.; of three, or more, 7 lb. extra; two-mile heats. Mr. Milner's br. h. Humphrey, by Sandbeck, four-years old (Holmes) Mr. Inman's ch. g. Grasshopper, by Commodore (half-bred), aged THURSDAY, September 26th.-The Town Plate of 50 sovs. for all ages; the winner to be sold for 150 sova., if demanded, &c.; heats, twice round. 1 Mr. Dockeray's b. c. Guardsman, by Waterloo, four-years old, 8 st. 13 lb. Capt. Gardnor's b. c. by Reveller, out of Scurry, four-years old, 8 st. 6 lb. Mr. Shelley's b. f. The Drama, three-years old, 7 st. 8 lb. Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each, with 40 added from the fund, for all ages; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs., if demanded, &c.; the owner of the second horse received back his stake; heats, a mile and a half (six subscribers). Mr. Dockeray's b. c. Lyster, by Rowton, three-years old, 7 st. 1 lb. (Wake- ... Mr. Brick's ch. m. Latona, aged, 8 st. 11 lb. ... 5 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 ... 3 4 1 dis. 4 3 dr. 2 5 dr. Mr. Balchin's b. g. Munchausen, four-years old, 8 st. Mr. Monk's ch. c. Nominee, three-years old, 7 st. 5 lb.... Mr. Clifton's ch. h. Whalebone, five-years old, 9 st. 6 lb. Munchausen came in first for the fourth heat, but a charge of running against Lyster having been proved against him, the heat was adjudged to Lyster. FRIDAY.-A Plate of £50, given by Robert Holland, Esq.; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs., if demanded, &c. ; heats, twice round. Mr. Dockeray's b. c. Lyster, three-years old, 7 st. 11 lb. (Hornsby) The St. Leonard Plate of 50 sovs.; the winner to be sold for 80 sovs., if demanded, &c.; heats, a mile and a half. Capt. Gardnor's br. c. by Reveller, out of Scurry, four-years old, 8 st. 3 lb. THURSDAY, September 26th.-Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added by the Perth Hunt; two miles. Mr. Fairlie's br. g. Zohrab, by Lottery, aged, 9 st. Mr. Ramsay's ch. m. Sunbeam, six-years old, 9 st. Mr. Merry's ch. g. Bedershin, five-years old, 8 st. 12 lb. Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 20 added, for hunters, 12 st. 7 lb. each; cocktails allowed 71b.; gentlemen riders; once round and a distance. Captain Richardson's b. g. Centurion, by Emilius, six-years old Mr. Ramsay's br. h. Brother to Macarius (late Penguin), five-years old Plate of £50, given by the Perth Hunt; heats, once round and a distance. Mr. Ramsay's ch. m. Sunbeam, six-years old, 9 st. ... ... FRIDAY.-The County Members' Plate of £50; twice round. Mr. Fairlie's br. g. Zohrab, aged, 8 st. 9 lb. Hurdle Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 20 added; gentlemen riders; once round and a distance, over six hurdles, four feet high (six subscribers). MONDAY, September 30th.-The Cleveland Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 20 added; three-yearolds, 7 st. 7 lb.; four, 8 st. 9 lb.; five, 9 st. 3lb.; six and aged, 9 st. 8 lb.; half-bred horses allowed 10 lb.; heats, twice round and a distance. Mr. Phillips's b. g. Taffy, four-years old (W. Lear) The North Shropshire Hunt Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 15 added, for horses not thoroughbred; three-year-olds, 9 st. 4 lb.; four, 10 st. 7 lb.; five, 11 st. 7 lb.; six and aged, 12 st.; winners once this year to carry 5lb.; twice, 7 lb.; and thrice, or more, 10 lb. extra; heats, twice round. Mr. E. Hughes's b. m. Mary Wood, five-years old (owner) |