appeal, that I think the subject well worthy of and demands more attention than has hitherto been bestowed upon it by our turf amateurs.

I know not if the state of society, at stations where race meetings are usually held, would admit of any modification in the method of electing Stewards, though some modification is certainly a great desideratum. At one place each regiment composing the force nominates one Steward, at another the whole are elected by acclamation, at a third by ballot, at a fourth by solicitation; the consequence is, many are now unwillingly compelled, as it were, to accept the situation, the duties of which they are aware they cannot properly perform, not only from knowing nothing about turf regulations, but from a disinclination to make themselves acquainted with the rules, from the little interest they take in the amusement itself.

As I have commenced this letter with disclaiming my desire to make unpleasant remarks, so do I now deprecate everything like anger, should what I am now going to observe bear the appearance of personality or ill-nature. I have said that my object in wishing a Club of Reference to be formed is to prevent any improper decisions on doubtful points

which may arise from ignorance of turf rules and regulations, for that many very extraordinary decrees have been made there can be no doubt-facts are stubborn proofs.

In 1826, a gentleman rider claimed a jostle, having pulled up, as the outrage-for so such a jostle should be designated-was committed; and although two disinterested spectators (gentlemen, too), who chanced to see the thing done, swore to the fact, yet the majority of the Stewards gave it against the claimant, because THEY had not seen it!

In 1827, that celebrated horse, Barefoot, was intended by his owner to start for the second Maiden of that season, being a race for horses that had never won plate, purse, match, or sweepstakes. His owner, however, having purposely mentioned that the horse had, the preceding season, received half forfeit from Emilius, though he had never appeared on the course for the match, still the Stewards refused to allow him to enter for the Maiden. Now from their decree, as set forth in their prospectus of the races, there was no appeal; but had a Club, such as I wish to see established, existed then, Barefoot might have had his chance for that Maiden, and the decision of the Club would have settled his right to the plate, had he won it. With regard to the decision itself, I wonder how the Stewards would have looked had a circumstance like the following come before their worships. A has a maiden entered for a Maiden sweepstakes, P. P., to be run in December, and he has also matched him against B's horse, to run in January, half-forfeit if declared before November. Well, B pays half-forfeit in October, would that disqualify A's horse for the Maiden sweepstakes?

I will mention another instance of the inconvenience attending the want of a Referential Committee. In 1827, K had a maiden; he thought him a flicker-that he must go, nothing could stop him. L had his doubts of his being such a trump, and thought he had a screw in his tail, a doubtful shake in his hocks, and galloped on his fetlocks instead of his hoofs. In the course of conversation it turned out that K intended to take a trial next morning, and L, on hearing it, offered to lay a certain sum that he did not run the trial under a given time. This was accepted, but a doubt arose as to whether the trial with a bet upon it would affect his right to enter for the Maiden Race. It was referred to the Stewards of the course; they were all bothered, and as they couldn't, so they wouldn't, decide, but agreed to refer to the Stewards at Bombay or Poonah; but mark you, Mr. Editor, and you my gentle readers, how cunningly the thing was settled. They decreed that in the mean time K's horse might run his trial, and, if the referees decided that the bet on the trial lost his Maiden, that no money was to be paid by either the winner or loser. Upon this the toddle took place-no matter which won, but the Bombayites decided one way and the Poonahites the contrary! Wasn't this a puzzle for all parties? However, I remember that K's horse ran for the Maiden, and got a good licking for his trouble.

Another inconvenience which a Club of Reference would remove is the, at present, total disregard of precedents; the Stewards of one year will not be guided by those of the preceding season; not even, indeed, in aging. perfectly recollect Marengo was at one course made two years younger than he was when he

I

was

started two years before. The name of that horse reminds me of a curious decision, which will go far to establish the necessity of my proposed Club. In running for the Guicawar's cup, after passing the first half-mile post, a horse named Pilot, I think a grey, fairly bore him off the course, in the bolt which he wished to accomplish. This was witnessed by all the Stewards; Marengo was pulled up instantly, and walked round the course, coming in about a quarter of an hour after the other horses, and fresh as though he never had left the stable yet he was allowed to start for the next heat, and won it with ease!! This made some of the strangers open their eyes, and mouths too, but there was no appeal against the fiat of the Stewards. As an instance how little precedents are regarded, I saw several horses at the post the year before last; the Steward said, "Are you ready?" Pilgrim's jockey said, "No, Sir," but not being heard, "Off" was given, and off all went except Pilgrim and

The owner of the latter having heard Pilgrim's jockey, did not allow his horse to go, concluding the others would be called back; however, they were not, the judges pronounced all right, and Pilgrim and were declared distanced. Well, Mr. Editor, that little devil of a fizgig, Wildrake, last went year, away at the word, leaving his opponents at the post, ran his mile and a half by himself in 3m. 2s. By the precedent of the former year the race was clearly his; but no, the Stewards gave it against him, and made him take his chance again. course he was beaten.

Of

I think, Mr. Editor, you will, after what I have now said, agree with me as to the real benefit

which the sporting community would receive could I succeed in the object I have now in view. When people know there exists a Club where decision can be neither influenced by private interest nor affected by local circumstances, I should venture to say they will be less inclined to feel annoyed at the time by what may seem to them a harsh or unjust decree, and less ill-blood and fewer quarrels would be the consequence.

If, therefore, two or three influential turf characters would devise a method by which a Club of Reference could be established, I am confident it would be hailed by all sporting people with satisfaction. An arrangement to this effect was proposed some years ago by a zealous young turfite, now no more, but the scheme died with him; but I trust this effort to revive it will not be coldly received by those whose interests are deeply affected by race-course decisions.

SIR,

Why should not Bombay, Poonah, Surat, Deesa, and Ahmedabad nominate one of these stout sporting characters to form the Club? all doubtful questions or points of reference to be made to them, the member of the station forwarding such reference to have no vote; this would prevent anything like partiality or prejudice from influencing the decision. Why could they not draw up a set of rules, formed, as far as is practicable, on those of the British Jockey Club, to which all sportsmen would pay that deference which it obtains in England?

I am convinced the plan is perfectly feasible, and I do most sincerely hope some abler hands than mine will be devoted to its accomplishment, and the sooner the better.

I am, Sir,

Your constant reader and writer, Need I add well-wisher too, CLUB LAW.

Oct. 10th, 1830.

As you seem to have had no account of a day's sport after some lions near Kurree, in April last, I am induced to send you this, which ought to have come from an abler pen than mine some months ago. The party consisted of four, who were busily engaged discussing F.'s breakfast. At the time a shikaree, who was always on the look out for khubur of any sort, came in and said that he had traced some baugs into a jungle of long grass and bastard teak about three miles off. Of course, being all ready and well on our way there was not the work of an hour; upon arrival we set fire to the jungle,

our

which had not burned very long when my friends, finding it too hot for them, bolted, but were luckily seen by the shikaree. Upon the view holloa we separated a little, and went in the direction pointed out, and soon saw two lions and a lioness and cub, quietly sitting on their hams and watching our motions. Upon our approaching them at a canter they began to move off, the two lions keeping together; these we followed a running fight ensued, and five or six well-directed balls brought down one. The other on the first shot went off double quick, leaving his friend to get out of the scrape the best way he could. We soon came up to him

again; and though he evinced some inclination to show fight, it was of no use, as we, being on horseback, could easily get out of his way when too near. Seven or eight balls did his business. One of the party being ill and not able to ride fast, saw the lioness behind us in another direction; in about half an hour we found her again, and got one shot at her, but, owing to the jungle being within a few yards, she got off. We all went to different sides of it to keep a sharp look out in case she should show herself again; she was seen by a man on a tree making off as fast as she could towards another jungle some way off. Only one of the party was lucky enough to see the signal, and followed for a long way, at last saw her go into a small patch of grass. Thinking she had gone through it, he was passing rather too close, when she charged out on him, just giving him time to fire, pistol fashion, without effect. However, seeing she had no chance against a horse, she stopped after fifty yards. Two balls, one in Two balls, one in the head, gave her a quietus. As to the cub, we gave that up for lost, so went home very well satisfied with our day's sport. We were

out a few days after, near the same place, having heard of a lioness and hogs. The jungle had been set on fire, and we were anxiously waiting at different points for the signal of game being on the move, when a shot was heard. Spears were throw down for guns; off we went full gallop to the spot. You can conceive our vexation and astonishment on seeing a superb boar weltering in his blood; he had actually been smouched at 20 yards in a bush, under the idea that he was a lion!!! However, we had the satisfaction of seeing him upset his murderer, horse and all, before he died. The jungles about Kurnee are in some places unusually thick, and would very often stop an elephant, but occasional and extensive openings offer a fair chance to a bold rider. I hope to hear of more lions being killed there this year, as they are not very scarce now, though before this year they had never been known of. It is an animal too well known to need any description, so allow me, Mr. Editor, to subscribe myself, with best wishes for the prosperity of your Magazine, Yours sincerely,

Oct. 2nd, 1830.

IGNOTUS.

MY DEAR Editor,

Being a member of that band of sportsmen, the old Nuggur Hunt, I hasten to avail myself of the opportunity the pages of your Magazine afford, to take notice of a report which is in circulation, that four Poonah Nimrods had lately challenged, unanswered, that body to produce four of their members to compete with them in the field.

I am well assured that such

challenge, or any one of a similar nature, had it been fully made known to the members of the Hunt, would have been instantly and with pleasure, accepted; and, though I know it to be against the practice of my brother sportsmen to assume to themselves any superiority, I venture to assert, as the best mode of refuting such an aspersion on their "fair fame," that the Nuggur Hunt will be happy to produce

any number of its members to contend for superiority in "first spears" against the world in equal numbers, for any sum not exceeding 10,000 Rupees, should money be their object, otherwise for fame.

In this I have merely expressed my own opinion, but I know the mettle of my comrades too well not to feel assured that they will readily bear me out, and that any persons wishing to try their luck, either singly or collectively, will meet

with a ready and satisfactory answer, to a "cartel," addressed to the Nuggur Hunt, through their secretary.

The Hunt meets at the usual place, on the 12th of March, and should any challengers appear, they will there meet, in their opponents, hospitable entertainers.

I remain your well-wisher,

ONE WHO CAN GO IT. Mominabad, October 12th.

SIR,

:

On the first appearance of your Magazine, I plead guilty to conjecture that it could never become a work of much real interest, except only as regarded the Racing Calendar and my reasons for this supposition were founded on an extensive knowledge of the apathy and indolence of the generality of sporting men, when the pen should take place of the spear; and I was aware that the success or failure of your work must principally depend on the exertions of this class of contributors. You must allow me, however, in some measure to compense to you for my ill-founded mises, and to offer you my congratulations on the extraordinary, and with me unlooked for, success of your Magazine, which has become a work of very general interest to every sportsman. For wherever I go I find the sporting community discussing the contents of your last, or anticipating those of your forthcoming number; and for myself I can answer that I look forward to the periodical issue of your little miscellany with the greatest delight, although I must confess I have been sadly disappointed at your very reprehensible want of punctuality.

sur

I once before ventured to address you, although I do not think you will recognize me under the disguise of my present signature, nor do I care you should, since my lucubrations found no favour in your sight, and more than once elicited from your Editorial pen a very snappish, and I thought a very silly, reply. However, I care little for these things, and an Editor, you know, is a privileged man, so it was of little consequence, and in order to convince you that I bear no malice or ill-will on that score, am the first to break the ice. Now, Sir, if my present letter will not suit your Mag., it will at all events serve to light your candle.

Your contributors are doubtless very numerous, and have enlarged on almost every subject of interest to the sporting world, and I am therefore more surprised that none of them should have sent you any account of the Hunting Leopard. I am aware that there are many who look down upon this species of amusement as altogether devoid of relish, because it involves very little excitement, which is a climax with every sportsman, and the touchstone by which he estimates every diversion. But I, for one, regard it, in the absence of other sports, with which it need in