cunning enough to succeed in approaching the swan family. So, placing my punt alongside a small piece of drift ice, I laid myself down and paddled towards them; but so slowly did I proceed, from the additional exertion required to propel the ice as well as the punt, that I feared I never should reach them, particularly if they suspected the ice, and swam from it. Luckily there was not a breath of wind, or I might as well have attempted to tow a man-of-war as to work punt and, iceberg to windward. After nearly an hour's hard work, during which time I had succeeded in getting over a space of half-a-mile, I found myself nearly close enough to fire; and the swans were evidently quite unconscious of danger being so near. My gun was heavily charged with a pound of small bullets. Another slight exertion with the paddles, and my punt was within deadly range of eleven of Nature's noblest birds. I fired, and two lay struggling on the surface. I watched the group as they flew with apparent lazy efforts through the air, and in a few moments another bird that had been lagging behind dropped to rise no more. This bird fell dead; the other two were winged, and showed symptoms of resistance ere they would be captured. I seized the first by the neck and dragged it into the punt, when I was almost knocked overboard with blows from its wing; and we had quite a struggle together before I could effectually secure it. I conld not have imagined a wounded swan so powerful. The other had less strength, from being more severely wounded, and was more easily secured. The largest of these birds may yet be seen beneath a glass case in my hall. The dangers of punting in drift ice must not be overlooked. In my own experience, I never knew a man lose his life in the ice; but I have seen men in most perilous positions, surrounded by inextricable masses of floating ice. Experienced men, however, are extremely cautious not to incur such risks.

I once saw an over-eager, fool-hardy young fowler, in such a position that it was quite a miracle his punt was not crushed in the ice, and he buried alive beneath its freezing influence. He had indiscreetly gone out on a windy day, far too much so for punting; and the drift ice is then rendered doubly dangerous. The tide rose rapidly, and rushed like a torrent up the river; bringing with it acres of floating ice, which soon surrounded the incautious puntman; and in a short time he found himself quite beset, and unable to extricate himself from its crushing grasp. For several hours he remained in that position, standing erect in the punt waving signals of distress to people ashore. The rushing tide drove him many miles up river, and bound him more firmly than ever in the grasp of the ice. The tide was shortly about to ebb, and it was feared the consequences would prove inevitably fatal; for if the wind continued heavy, it would be impossible to release him. An admirable scheme was suggested by a gentleman ashore, to fly a kite over the unfortunate man and drop him a string, by which means a rope might be got aboard the punt, and it was hoped he might then be dragged ashore over the ice. The plan proved entirely successful; and the poor fellow having made the rope fast to the stern of his punt, sat himself down and was dragged over the ice amidst the general applause of a whole village of spectators. This man was a few years afterwards shot in the leg whilst incautiously hauling his

punt ashore with the gun lying on the head at full cock. The jar occasioned by dragging it up the beach caused it to go off, and the charge blew his right leg almost to atoms: a labouring man saw the melancholy accident; but before medical aid could be procured, or the poor fellow taken to a house, he bled to death. Facts such as these tend to show how cautious sportsmen should be with their weapons, and that personal safety should always be the first and highest consideration.

Wild-goose shooting, with sailing-yacht, swivel-gun, and otherwise, will be the subject of our next chapter.

MARGRAVE-ROCKINGHAM-TOUCHSTONE-QUEEN OF TRUMPS-ELIS.

The first year (1832) when the St. Leger was contended for under the new conditions of fifty sovereigns, half forfeit, the same as the Derby, and not twenty-five sovereigns, pay or play, as heretofore, did not commence auspiciously. The taint on the fame of one of the most magnificent public spectacles in the kingdom, could not, however, be attributed to the change itself; but to those disgraceful proceedings, from which, unfortunately, the turf, although supported by noblemen and gentlemen of the highest reputation, and distinguished for liberality, integrity, and honour, has not been enabled to escape: indeed, the "Ludlow affair" of the St. Leger of 1832, equally with the "Running Rein" delinquency of the Derby in 1844, was a blister on the face of its reputation. As the suspicions of disreputable proceedings, previously entertained, became from moment to moment further confirmed, confusion was worse confounded. To describe correctly the scene enacted in the Betting Room, on Monday night, immediately previous to the decision of the race itself, is almost impossible. The commotion arose in consequence of certain transactions with regard to the sale of Ludlow ; it was a matter of doubt and uncertainty whether the horse was to start to win or to start to lose. All betting became suspended; the books were thrown into such a state of inextricable disarrangement and difficulty that they could not be put right, and far more was felt than could be possibly expressed. At length the excitement was strung up to so high a pitch, without any hope of becoming calmed, that the betting men, the owners of horses, and the most generous supporters of

the turf, mounted the chairs and benches, leaped upon the tables, and the uproar became of the most furious character. The whole transaction was denounced, with violent gestures and the severest terms, as one of the most villanous description. Several noblemen ratified that opinion; and the condemnation was, if possible, more determined and desperate. It was strenuously insisted, that whatever right Mr. Beardsworth might have to sell, and Mr. Bond to purchase the horse, the public ought to be protected; the whole matter, however, was involved in inextricable difficulty. Nor was it until two hours after midnight that the rooms could be cleared, and the grey of morning came ere the rattle of carriages in the public streets had ceased; still no satisfactory explanation could be obtained.

Nor did the matter rest after the decision of the race, which was won by Margrave, as hereafter described. The scene, indeed, was re-enacted on Wednesday night; there were substantial grounds for not permitting the matter to drop. It transpired that the stewards, the Earl of Uxbridge and Francis Hawksworth Fawkes, Esq., had received information respecting the sale of Ludlow, viz., that the purchaser, in connexion with two relations, formed the first, second, and third parties; the fourth remained concealed. Under these circumstances, the purchaser in question was told that any communication, in the way of explanation, must be made publicly, and not privately. A private communication was tendered; but it was at once refused. Matters had now assumed a more imperative and threatening aspect, and the consequence was, the whole proceeding from first to last came under discussion publicly in the crowded betting-room, in the most animated manner; the fourth party were called upon, but no explanation as to that party was made. Only one opinion became prevalent, and the purchaser or purchasers of Ludlow, indeed every one implicated in the transaction, met with that public castigation and chastisement which were justly due to the whole disgraceful proceeding-an example to be shunned, and a terror to evil-doers. On the 22nd of September, however, Mr. Ephraim Bond, who had been repeatedly alluded to as deeply implicated in the whole affair, addressed the following communication to the editor of the Morning Post:~

"Athenæum Club, St. James's-street, Sept. 22. "Sir, I feel confident that common justice will induce you to insert the following: I bought the horse Ludlow, and gave 5,000 guineas for him, public opinion saying he was the best horse. I backed him to win £2,925 of Mr. Thomas, £2,400 of Mr. Halliday, £1,600 of Mr. Crockford, £1,000 of Mr. Battrell, besides smaller bets with the St. Leger, making in the whole £15,000. I challenge the whole betting world to prove 1 laid one guinea against him. Respecting the 'fourth party,' I still say that the public have nothing to do with it. I have shown (as far as I had control over the horse) that the running, riding, and my intentions were perfectly honest. Why, then, am I called on for more? "I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

"EPHRAIM BOND."

Here the curtain dropped, and the "Ludlow affair" will remain unexplained, but not uncondemned.

As to the race itself, under the new regulation of 50 sovereigns, half forfeit, the number of subscribers amounted to 73, and 17 horses started. Ludlow was amongst the number, but he was eyed with suspicion; while significant shakings of the head and shruggings of the shoulders carried with them their own import, particularly when it

became known that after Wright had been weighed to ride the horse, at the instigation, it was said, of Flintoff, a rider of the name of Boast was sent to scale, and placed in the saddle instead. The betting, which, as already observed, had been thrown into a state of confusion, became somewhat settled immediately before starting; but not free from those suspicions which made many pause and hesitate. 3 to 1 were laid against Retainer, 9 to 2 against Fang, 8 to 1 against Margrave, 8 to 1 against Brother to Maria, 10 to 1 against Byzantium, 10 to 1 against Birdcatcher, 14 to 1 against Nitocris (Sister to Memnon), 15 to 1 against Trustee, 22 to 1 against Julius, 40 to 1 against Daxon, 1,000 to 20 against Roué, and 1,000 to 20 against Mr. Powlett's Figaro filly.

When the 17 competitors advanced to the post, all eyes were fixed upon Ludlow. Every movement of his jockey, which might possibly evince the character of his instructions, was narrowly watched; and although the expressions might be heard, "Now, we shall see whether Ludlow starts to win, or to lose," the opinion generally prevailed, especially amongst those who were tolerably well conversant with the nature of the whole affair, that it was not for the purpose of winning; therefore, their attention was more directed to the mode in which the unfortunate horse would, under these circumstances, be handled, than anything else; on the same principle that when a reckless and dexterous adventurer has involved himself in difficulties, there is no little anxiety to mark the way in which he will get out of them. In this instance, the jockey appears to have been faithful to the instructions and obligations of those who had placed him in the saddle.

One false start took place, in consequence of Physician (H. Edwards), Carlton (J. Garbutt), and Ludlow (Boast) being unable to get off. After having been conducted to their former position, and advancing more steadily to the post, a fair start was accomplished. Mr. Powlett's filly (J. Holmes) sprang off with the lead; close at hand were Carlton and Roué (T. Lye); then followed Fang (P. Conolly), Birdcatcher (Calloway), and Margrave (J. Robinson), well laid up. On reaching the first cross road, the running was taken up by Roué; in this order they rushed over the hill. The lead was maintained by Roué until the whole lot had passed the Red House; the grey filly lying second; Roué and Carlton then gave way, and the lead was resumed by Mr. Powlett's filly. At the end of the white rails Birdcatcher rushed towards the front, and at this point Ludlow and Byzantium (W. Arnull) declined the contest. This was no sooner observed than the expression was made, "Ludlow's falling into the rear." The leading horses were then the Figaro filly, Birdcatcher, Physician, Richmond (R. Johnson), and Margrave; Birdcatcher looking most like the winner. On arriving within the distance, Margrave made a desperate challenge, and a determined struggle took place with him, the filly, Birdcatcher, and Physician; but Margrave appeared to have a decided advantage over all his opponents. Retainer (G. Nelson), Fang, Nitocris (T. Nicholson), Brother to Maria (W. Scott), and Julius (S. Templeman) were completely beaten off before they reached the distance. Opposite the Grand Stand, Margrave had defeated the grey filly, and was close upon the quarters of Birdcatcher; Robinson handled Margrave in an admirable manner, rushed past his opponent, and won the race by about a length. Mr. Powlett's filly, although not placed, was third, and during the whole

of the struggle made very superior running; Physician was fourth, but he got a very bad start; Richmond was fifth, and David sixth. Ludlow, as had been anticipated, came in the very last! Run in 3 minutes 21 seconds. The winner was trained by John Scott. Margrave was the first St. Leger horse trained by him on the celebrated Pigburn Ground, near Doncaster.

The "Ludlow affair" will never be disassociated from the St. Leger of '32, and although the disgraceful transaction had not the least possible connexion with the alteration of the subscription to the race, the first year, under the new regulations, was deemed anything but auspicious, and induced many to believe that the old terms, whatever might be the objections raised against them--and some of these, it must be admitted, were very plausible-would in the course of a few years be re-adopted. On the other hand, however, the triumph achieved by Mr. Gully was hailed with that enthusiastic feeling which was happily significant of the high esteem in which he was held by every true lover of the turf.*

The laurel of 1833 was won by Rockingham, and Bishop Burton had another occasion to ring with the shouts of triumph. Mr. Watt had previously carried off the prize with Altisidora (Jackson) in 1813, with Barefoot (Goodisson) in 1823, and with Memnon (Scott) in 1825. Although he made many generous efforts afterwards to achieve other victories, this was his last successful year; during a long career, however, few competitors had achieved so much-four St. Leger triumphs (the same as those of Mr. Petre), one not of easy accomplishment, and Mr. Watt's cup of exultation may be deemed full to the brim. Although the number of subscribers, this year, only amounted to seventy-four, twenty horses came to the post. It had not been generally expected that the harlequin jacket would prove triumphant with Rockingham, as his other horse, Belshazzar, was held in higher estimation. The favourite was Muley Moloch at 3 to 1, and Belshazzar at 7 to 2, 6 to 1 against Mussulman, 13 to 2 against Revenge, 7 to 1 against Rockingham, 13 to 1 against The Mole, 20 to 1 against Anne, 25 Connoisseur, 30 Dancing Master, the same against Jack Faucet, 35 Tutor, and 40 to 1 against Lot.

As on several former occasions of a St. Leger start, partly through the great anxiety of the jockeys, but mainly through the want of influence over them, the horses rushed off without the word having been given. They were instantly recalled, and considerable delay took place. Having, however, again assembled, they advanced up to the post more cautiously, and got off tolerably well. The Mole (E. Wright) jumped off with the lead, but immediately afterwards it was taken up by Belshazzar (T. Nicholson); next were Tutor (J. Robinson), Muley Moloch (J. Day), and Lord Kelburne's filly (G. Nelson). The whole of the work was cut out by Belshazzar; Rockingham (S. Darling) was directly at hand, ready for the struggle when the occasion presented itself; the pace, however, was far from first-rate. Few, if any, changes took place until they had reached the Red House. ever, the race became one of the deepest interest.

At this point, howOn making the bend,

* The Earl of Scarborough expired in London, on the 17th of June, this year (1832), in the 76th year of his age. The noble Earl was a generous patron of the race which he won with Tarrare in 1826. He was also the owner of Catton, and several other good runners.