SIR,

Anardent admirer of that noble animal, the horse, and conceiving that every instance of a nature tending to preserve his general utility ought to be made public, I beg to subjoin the following remarks on the benefit to be derived from the use of arsenic in getting horses into condition, which, from whatever cause, may have become, from the want of it, either useless or nearly so.

Experience of its benefits in four cases in my own stable is the groundwork on which I go, and which causes me to intrude my remarks on the sporting public. Three of the four were horses of a middle age, i.e. neither of them exceeded eight years of age. The fourth was a horse whose age no one could tell, and which even the dealer who sold him did not pretend to know. I more especially allude to the latter, because I knew him almost from the time he was brought out of the Bombproof, and that he had undergone, like many other good horses, a great deal of the worst usage, and that too for a continued length of time. To such a state of weakness and positive wretchedness had he been reduced, that he was made a present of to me, under the idea of his being totally useless; and to show how nearly that idea approximated to the truth, I have only to observe that he could with difficulty drag an empty Nibbs for a stage along the road. I was aware, however, that he belonged to that extensive family the "has beens," and also of the manner in which he had been brought now to claim alliance with it. I therefore took him as a good subject, on which to try the effects of arsenic, not, I confess, with any

very sanguine expectations of a successful result.

When he reached me, he was thin as a skeleton, his bones all but protruding through the skin, lame, all of his legs round as posts and full, hide bound, and with a staring, dirty, unhealthy coat, dull as a stone, and his bowels in the greatest state of weakness and foul to a degree. In short, he would not have fetched sixpence at any tan-yard in England. I first turned him into a loose house by himself, and for six weeks all he got was a gentle dose of physic; in about a month, good grooming, and green food in small quantities, at first. At the end of about two months, all the difference I could perceive in him was his skin a little looser and his coat cleaner, and that he was not so foul. I then gave him another dose of common physic, a little stronger than the first, but still mild,

on

account of his weak state, and after it had set about ten days I commenced giving him arsenic. I began with five grains in his grain, giving it every second day, and gradually increasing each dose by two grains, until I got up as high as 15 grains, which dose I gave him three, times following, and then stopped. I now waited for a fortnight or so, to see what effect it would produce, and at the end of that time all I could perceive to have been gained was a healthful action of the bowels and digestive organs, clearness of the legs, and healthy fresh appearance of the skin. His appetite was good, and he now began to look out for his grain at the stated times, whereas formerly it seemed to be a matter of total indifference to him. He had green meat now given

him entirely, and regular walking exercise.

I

So far I saw I had gained one important step towards recovery, or I fancied I had, in the altered state of his bowels and legs. made up my mind, therefore, to commence again, and see what a repetition of the doses would do; accordingly, after the lapse of three weeks, or it might be a month, I began with 8 grains, gradually increasing as formerly till I got up to 20 grains. All this time I kept a most vigilant eye on him, knowing the treacherous nature of the medicine he was getting. I now set myself again to watch the effects of this second course, and though the effects were slow in developing themselves, they were equally sure. At the end of a month, his loins were pretty well covered with flesh, and his quarter began to assume a rounder shape. His coat was bright and shining, his general appearance was completely changed; his food seemed to tell on him, his spirits at exercise improved, and he was altogether a different horse. I now gave him a little gentle harness work, on which he continued to thrive and throw up flesh, and in the course of nine months from the time he first came into my hands, he became round and fat as a pig, in which state he now is, as many of my friends can testify. has done his regular term of work with the other horses, in the Nibbs, and 1 have driven him myself 24 miles without a halt. I have since sold him, and he continues to work and keep his condition with apparently a new lease of life.

He

The course pursued in the other three cases I have above alluded to was the same, with this exception, that being younger and fresher constitutioned horses,

and not so far gone, one single course of arsenic was found to be sufficient. Two of them I now have in my own possession.

The effects of arsenic are slow, and it is a most dangerous medicine, and if the horse is not attentively watched whilst under its operation, it may act in a fatal manner. If, however, the patient is properly attended to, the symptoms of danger are easily perceived, and, if prompt remedies are used, may be averted. When it disagrees with a horse, it shows itself in purging, loss of appetite, dulness, shivering, and staring coat. Its remedy is simply a bottle of castor oil, the medicine itself, of course, to be stopped, and bran mashes for a day or so. When on the contrary it agrees with a horse, it invigorates the whole frame and constitution of the horse. The method of administering it is simple in the extreme, and exercise, and even moderate work, tend to assist its operation; but good feeding, in point of quality I mean, is indispensably requisite.

Hoping the importance of the subject will prove my excuse for so long intruding myself on the notice of your readers, and occupying so large a portion of your magazine,

I am, Sir, yours,
PHILO VET.

P. S.-It has often occurred to me that the use of arsenic in the kennel, given of course in very reduced doses, might also be attended with similar results. I do not myself keep dogs, or I should have tried it most assuredly. Perhaps, however, some of your readers who do may be inclined to try its effects and to let us know the result.

Yours, P. V.

-Delightful scene! Where all around is gay-men, horses, dogs;

And in each smiling countenance appear

Fresh blooming health and universal joy."

SOMERVILLE.

It is somewhat remarkable that in a country where the art of hunting is better understood, and where the hounds and horses are allowed to be better than in any other; where the Press is in one continued labour with opinions of almost every kind, from the most serious and instructive, to the most ridiculous and trifling-whose authors sometimes hunt, and whose sportsmen write that so little should have been said upon Hunting, where the practical part is so thoroughly known, so perseveringly followed. France, Germany, and Italy are also silent upon the subject, though each of these countries has had its Nimrod; Naples (which constitutes a portion of the last), in particular, in its late King, who was so fond of the chase, that he left State affairs to his Queen, in order that he might the more unrestrictedly enjoy it. Foxes, it is true, they seldom or ever hunt, and hares but seldom; yet the stag and wild boar, both in France and Germany, are still pursued with the utmost splendour and magnificence. In Italy there has, with some few exceptions, one of which has just been quoted, been very little. The only sportsmen now remaining are gentlemen in green coats, who, taking their couteaux de chasse along with them, walk into the fields to catch small birds, which they call andar a la cacia;

or, in plain English, "going a hunting." Yet it has not been so with horsemanship: that has been treated scientifically by all, while upon hunting all are silent; and were it not for the Muse of a Somerville, who has so judiciously and so sweetly sung, the dogthat useful, that honest, that faithful, that disinterested, that entertaining animal-would be suffered to pass unnoticed and undistinguished. Of the English hound he says

"In thee alone, fair land of liberty! Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed

As yet unrivall'd; while, in other climes,

Their virtue failss-a weak degenerate race."

--There is not any one branch of knowledge, commonly dignified with the title of art, which has not such rudiments or principles as may lead to a competent degree of skill, if not to perfection, in it; whilst hunting, the sole business of some, and the amusement of most of the youth of this kingdom (excepting, indeed, now and then, a solitary article-as this may be-in the "Sporting Magazine "), seems left entirely to chance. It would be needless to enumerate the heroes of antiquity who were taught the art of hunting, or the many great men (among whom was the famous Galen) who have united in recommending it. Among other worthies who have justly been denominated "great" was Henry the Fourth of France, who made it his chief amusement, and his very love letters, strange as it may appear, are full of little else; and that one of the greatest Ministers which our country ever produced was so fond of the diversion, that it is said the

first letter he opened was that of his huntsman. In most countries, from the earliest times, hunting has been a principal occupation of the people, either for use or amusement; and many princes have made it their chief delight a circumstance which occasioned the following bon mot: -Louis the Fifteenth was so passionately fond of it, that it occupied him entirely; Frederick the Great likewise, who never hunted, gave up a great deal of his time to music, and played on the flute. A German, during the war which was carried on by the two nations, meeting a Frenchman, asked him very impertinently, "Si son maître chassoit toujours?" "Oui, oui," replied the other; "il ne joué jamais de la flûte!" The reply was excellent; but it would have been as well, perhaps, for mankind if that great man had never been otherwise employed. Hunting is the soul of a country life; it gives health to the body and contentment to the mind, and is one of the few pleasures we can enjoy in society without prejudice either to ourselves or our friends. But to the Chase itself :

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Fox-hunting (the most esteemed and pursued in England), however lively and animating it may be in the field, is but a dull, dry subject to write upon, it being much less difficult to follow a fox chase than to describe one. Indeed, it may easily be imagined that to give enough of variety to a single action, to make it interesting, and to describe in a few minutes the events of, perhaps, as many hours, though it pretend to no merit, has at least some difficulty and trouble. However imperfect the description, therefore, some indulgence may be looked for.

All sportsmen agree that the hour most favourable to the diversion is an early one, and that

The fox is hard pressed-it is nearly over with him-he will hardly reach the cover-they gain upon him at every stroke, it is an admirable race, yet the cover saves him. He has gained a respite; but how short a one! for he is now driven forth, and cannot escape. How Dreadnought works him!-how Vengeance pursues! how terribly she presses! it is just up with him! Gods! what a crash they made; the whole wood resounded; he makes his last turn there! now! aye, now they have him! Who-hoop!

Sport, it is said, is but a secondary consideration with a fox hunter the first is, the killing of the fox. Hence arises the eagerness of pursuit-chief pleasure of the

chase.

Your sterling fox-hunter esteems blood so necessary to a pack of foxhounds, that he always returns home better pleased with but an indifferent chase, with death at the end of it, than with the best chase possible, if it end with the loss of the fox. Of course, the mere follower of a chase is not meant, but he who adds to that an interest in the hounds themselves.

Ye half-smoked citizens ye lovers of the stews and late hours

what would ye not give, did you but understand the pleasures of the field, the delights of the chase, the social board that follows, and the true English feeling that prevails? Ye imagine there can be no pleasure but amid a grove of chimney-pots, no entertainment but at the theatre, the concert, the card-table, and the café: but look in the tell-tale mirror, behold the sunken eye, the bilious countenance, and the enervated frame? Turn ye to the country gentleman, with healthy cheek, elastic steps, and buoyant eye, on his periodical visit to your modern Babylon; mark the difference between him and you-he rising with the "third larum" of bright Chanticleer, and brushing the dew from the upland lawn-you requiring a stimulus to enable you to rise from your half-wholesome bed, or to get through the fatigues of another day; and, like another Lord Ogleby, only sensible to the pleasures of your career, when the murky shades of night have commenced their pestilential orgies.

But to conclude my theme, at the same time apologizing for my short digress Such are the effects of hunting, that the spirits are exhilarated, the frame invigorated, and life prolonged: a sport that banishes care, and leaves every pain behind; the best of antidotes and the acme of specifics. JOHN BULL, JUNIOR.

CELEBRATED RACE

HORSES.

THE FLYING CHILDERS.-This horse was well known by the name of the Flying, or Devonshire, Childers. He was the property of the Duke of Devonshire, and allowed by sportsmen to be the fleetest horse that ever was bred