John Gilpin Eclipsed. Talk about Gilpin's riding! Pish, it was nothing! The feats attributed to this ideal equestrian of Cowper, are no more to be_compared with the one we are about to recite, than is the performance of Taffey upon his merlin to the exploits of Becher on Vivian. The Gilpin of former time may have rode longer, though, perhaps, not faster, and the adventures he incurred may have been of a more ludicrous kind, but, speaking of his journey as one of exploit, both he and his horse must give place to our present hero and the gallant steed which he rode,-for the latter, in their short career, by one bold leap, have outvied all the feats of the former in their long journey of twice from Edmonton to Ware, and back again. As the Gilpin of whom we speak is no" citizen of credit and renown," but an arch urchin, and as the circumstances under which he rode are not of so interesting a nature as those which induced the "bold linendraper" to mount the saddle, a very few words will suffice to tell the tale; and the levity with which it has been introduced will be excused, inasmuch as the case, although immediately prior to its occurrence, it seemed as though the loss of life was inevitable, can now be classed with those light ones, which we understand when we say, "it might have been worse." To the narrative-On Wednesday, the boy to whom allusion has been made, was put in charge of a horse, at the top of Warren Street, and being desirous to try his skill as a horseman, mounted. The animal, which is one of "mettle," from some cause or other, started off, and the boy, whose principal anxiety appeared to be to keep his seat, "by clinging to the mane," let go the reins, and the horse having no check upon him, galloped at the top of his speed down the street, amidst the screams of women and children, and to the terror and dismay of all beholders, as it was naturally enough concluded, that if he continued his course inevitable destruction awaited both horse and rider, as it appeared certain they would both be dashed to pieces down the steps leading from Warren Street to Tobin Street, where there is a descent of at least twenty feet. As the horse bounded on, and neared the awful precipice, a shudder of terror ran through the spectators, and each became motionless with fear, until the dreadful leap was taken, when there was a general rush made to the spot, a dead and shattered horse and boy floating before the affrighted vision of the terrified multitude. Soon, however, was their anxiety changed to joy; for strange and incredible as it may appear, no injury whatever resulted either to horse or rider from this fearfully stupendous leap. The boy, on regaining his feet, either from fear of censure, or out of modesty, to avoid receiving the applause of the multitude, scampered away as hard as he could, leaving his trusty nag alone, to receive any applause which might be conferred upon it by the bystanders. What will the steeple-chasers say to this? The horse stands somewhere about 15 hands high, and is said to belong to Mr, Picton, architect, Warren Street, but for this we cannot vouch, however, it was taken to that gentleman's house. For the information of those who are not acquainted with the locality of the neighbourhood of Warren Street, and as it may add general interest to the paragraph, we shall describe more particularly the nature of the leap, and the situation from which it was taken. We have already said, the height is about twenty feet; the steps consist of two flights,-one of seven and the other of sixteen steps, with a landing of some two yards between the flights; thus the steps extend about six-and-twenty feet. In effecting his wonderful and fearful feat, the horse sprang first to the landing, and then to the bottom : and when the height, the distance, and the awkwardness of the situation-the animal having to gallop a number of yards on the flags, and make his spring thence, and from so great a height to alight on a roughly-paved ground-are considered, it appears miraculous that the consequence of the leap was not fatal both to horse and rider. Indeed, it would seem as though a special Providence had watched over the affair, for probably not one day out of the 365, at the same hour, (near two o'clock,) but the steps would be fouud crowded with children, who congregate there previous to going into a neighbouring school. Leeds Mercury. STEEPLE-CHASES. THE last month has made a thorough commencement of this rapidly-increasing description of sport; a sport, however, which, compared with the spirit of the real chase, is wanting in vividness, truth, and colour. It is sculpture as contrasted with painting. We propose giving the results of all the principal meetings, so that our readers may always be able, in our numbers, to refer to the performances of steeple-chase horses. The bullfinches that are occupied,--the ditches that bathe hind-quarters,—the bridles that are helped off heads by kindly clod-poles in getting animals on their legs,-the riders that turn geologists,may well be omitted, as there is a wearisome sameness in occurrences of the kind, which may be well supplied by the memory or the imagination of the reader. We proceed at once to the best events of February. Four-yr. olds, 11st.; five, 11st. 9lb.; six and aged, 12st.; mares allowed 3lb.; a winner of a steeple-chase (matches excepted) to carry 71b.-Four miles. Mr. W. Richardson's br. g. Ormsby, by Sir Gilbert, 6 yrs, old-W. 1 Mr. W. Marris's gr. g. Peter Simple, by Arbutus, 5 yrs. old-Owner.... 2 worth..... Mr. Lamplugh's b. g. Prickbelt, by Brutandorf, aged-Owner .... Mr. C. Robson's ch. g. Mister Fry, aged-Mr. Carnley Mr. T. Brook's br. g. Little John, by Lottery, 4 yrs. old-Mr. Grantham 0 ...... Mr. W. Davy's b. g. Gay Lad, by Brutandorf, dam Gay Lass, 5 yrs. old. Mr. Green's b. g. Sportsman, by Grenadier, aged.-Owner... Mr. M. Graburn's gr. m. Grace Darling, by Arbutus, aged.-Mr. Hudson 0 1 2 3 4 Mr. Goodman's b. g. Sweet William.-Lord Morris..... ...... Mr. Codd's King Cole, 7lbs. extra.-Capt, Skipworth.. 2 Mr. Wilson's gr. m. Diana.—Ówner Mr. Thistlewood's b. h. Topthorn-Mr. Holmes Mr. Chatterton's b. h. Wellington.-Owner .... Mr. Brown's b. h. Rory O'More.-Mr. Towler, jun... Mr. Upton's ch. m. Esmeralda 0 On Friday, the 15th of February, a steeple-chase match of great interest was run at Melton Mowbray;-and we give it abridged from the account in Bell's Life:"Steeple-chase match at Melton, between Lord Suffield's Jerry, and Lord Cranstoun's Sir William, both bought of Mr. Elmore, for 500 gs., carrying 12st. each, Mr. Allan M'Donogh riding Sir William, and James Mason, Jerry. The start was from the Swing-bridge, near Thorp Arnold, half a mile on the Stapleford side of Melton. In the course of the chase they jumped the Wissendenbrook, which they both cleared, much to the surprise of the byestanders; the brook is about twenty feet wide, and about a quarter of a mile from home. The finish was up hill, into a wheat field. Mr. M'Donogh took the advantage of some kind friend opening a gate for him, while Jerry was to his left, and had to take an awkward double fence. However, they both cleared the last fence together, but Jerry, unable to finish for want of condition, was beaten by about two lengths. At least, there were five hundred red coats, well mounted, to see the race, and meet Lord Suffield's hounds, that met in the neighbourhood, and had a good day. We subjoin a list of the Steeple-chases to come already fixed. There have been some remarkable good runs with Lord Chesterfield's hounds, The Galewood, Mr. Drax's pack, Mr. Conyers', Mr. Farquharson's, &c. &c., which we only wish we had space to chronicle. We regret to find that Lord Suffield's hounds do not take so kindly to the Quorn country, as all lovers of thorough and courteous sportsmen and well-bred animals could wish. Dogs may have their fancies as well as men. Something in a new country may thwart or pinch this admirable pack ;-just as Kean said he could not put forth his powers in the Haymarket, and Braham declared he could "never sing in tight boots!" DEAR N. S. M. MR. MEYNELL'S HOUNDS, &c. Before the flood,-Don't be alarmed, gentle Editor; it's not an Egyptian mummy that's writing to you : I don't mean the Deucalion's, but the snowflood. Before Jack Frost's interregnum we had a most capital day with Mr. Meynell, one of the best the season has produced. We found our fox at Rangemore, and with slight checks, ran him to Brakenhurst; thence up to the New Church on Needwood Forest, and back again to the Forest Banks, by the New Lodge, and on to Hanbury village; thence by Castle Hays, Hanbury Wood Farm, and Needwood Ilouse to Berkley Lodge, when there came on such a storm of hail, snow and wind, as I have seldom seen. We hunted him on, however, to Brackenhurst again dodged about in cover, and made him out across the meadows to Mr. Meynell's Deer Park, but were obliged to give him up at last for want of scent. The whole thing, from find to finish was three hours; the running about an hour and a half, and it only wanted a kill to make it one of the best day's sport on record. We had a very pretty day with the Atherstone, on Wednesday last, from Seal Woods. Found a brace of foxes in the large wood, got away with one and ran him to near Drakelow, where we finally lost him. There was nothing very fast in the run, but for one who likes to see hounds work, it was a very satisfactory day. On Thursday Mr. Meynell had a a very good run of five and forty minutes, from Bradley, but without a kill. And another pretty chivy on Saturday, from Rollestone to Tutbury Castle and back, also without bloodshed. I had hoped to send you a pad to-day, but unfortunately some one has turned the church weather-cock due North, and it's freezing like bricks. Lord Anglesey's harriers have shut up for the season, (Lord Uxbridge, their huntsman being called away by his parliamentary duties) after a very satisfactory winter's sport. It is much regretted by many hunting men hereabouts, that the fixtures of these hounds are not made more public. I trust another season this desideratum will be provided for. Dear N. S. M. Feb. 18, 1830. Your's, (looking out for a thaw.) We shall be glad to see the realization of Mr. F. C. Turner's announced illustrations of the Liverpool Grand Steeple Chace ;-and shall, on the receipt of the impressions, give them that attention which we believe they will deserve. COLTS AND FILLIES (THREE YEARS OLD) IN TRAINING AT NEWMARKET AND EPSOM. RACING, like the Hyacinth, is just now blooming, and we think our turf-readers will like to have a list of the colts and fillies, in training at Newmarket and Epsom for the great stakes that "stand on the forehead of the time to come." We are indebted to Bell's Life for the list; and we thankfully avail ourselves of its generally perfect information. In a few trifling instances we have corrected inavoidable errors. We confine ourselves to the three year olds. Brother to Masquerade, by Mameluke Filly, by Agreeable, out of Phantom ..... ...... ..... Filly, by Rowton, out of Dromedary's dam. .... ...... Lord Lichfield Do. Lord Tavistock Edwards ....... Alexandrina, by The Sadler, out of Ebberston's dam Mr. Osbaldeston... Colt, by Sultan, out of Cobweb Colt, by Cain, out of Ishmael's dam Ilderim, by Emilius, or Ishmael, out of Filagree... ... ..... .... .... Mr. R. Ridsdale Ditto Mr. Holbrook |