the moderate price of from twenty to twenty-five francs apiece was asked. In the neighbourhood of Nancy you may get them, when at all plenty, for about four or five francs apiece; but they are getting scarcer every day, and no doubt in a few years the race will be extinct in France, as it is now in Great Britain, with the exception of the attempt to re-introduce them at Taymouth Castle.-A DEVONIAN. The following remarkable occurrence, were it not well attested, would be received with considerable doubts; but its accuracy may be relied on. Mr. S. Sly, of the White Hart Inn, Weymouth, had a large badger, which he kept in a box in a room, in which a dog of the mastiff and bull-dog crossbreed was also accustomed to remain. On Thursday last (November 16), the dog, with the feeling peculiar to his specics, evinced eager symptoms of a desire to enter into a contest with the badger, and, after great exertions, succeeded in tearing open the box in which the latter was domiciled. A battle was, of course, the immediate result, and it would seem, from the consequences, that victory had decided in favor of the dog, as he was discovered, although very much lacerated and quite exhausted, anxiously sniffing up the chimney. Search was made for the badger, but without success; and it was hinted, as a possibility, that the gentleman might have taken shelter in the chimney, as the only secure retreat from his conquering antagonist. On examining the chimney, the conjecture was ascertained to be correct, from the quantity of soot that had fallen down. How to dislodge the badger was the next question. The only expedient seemed to be that of lighting a fire, which was had recourse to, and in a few minutes the badger made his appearance on the top of the chimney-pan, from which elevation he fell, and pitched on the roof of the dwelling-house. The peculiar formation of his legs preventing his making any progress there, he met with a second fall, and pitched in the garden, a descent of about thirty feet, without sustaining the least bodily injury from his aërial peregrination. This occurrence will afford subject for much curious speculation to the sporting naturalist, who will experience some difficulty in accounting for the means by which this untoward quadruped could ascend a chimney, by no means small in its dimensions, and nearly forty feet in height. A few days ago an eagle was discovered on Thwaites's Fell, near Broughton-in-Furness, by a boy of the name of Jackson, of Swinside. The eagle, being on low or level ground, was unable to rise, and the boy, after a "hard siege," brought home the vanquished bird, though not without the usual tokens of war amongst boys, viz. tattered garments. The eagle, which is a remarkably fine one, and of a large size, is now in the possession of John Lowthwaite, Esq.-Kendal Mercury. TRAINING. Mr. Harrison Curtis, the benevolent Founder of the Dispensary for Diseases of the Ear, in his "Observations on the Preservation of Health,"a work which it behoves every one to study, whether old or young, who is desirous to prolong life and increase the capability of enjoyment-speaks of the wonderful effects of judicious training. "The means which men possess of increasing their natural powers," says this philanthropist, "by pursuing a systematic course of training, is clearly shewn in the surprising effects produced by a few weeks' training for the performance of extraordinary muscular feats; in the course of which persons, who had previously been unable to walk a few miles, have been enabled to walk as many as thirty." From this fact he draws the analogy, that if training can accomplish so much for the muscles, it is equally able to increase the efficiency of the whole body; and if, by training, men can increase the vitality of their limbs, they are equally capable, by the same means, of prolonging their lives. OBITUARY. On Wednesday the 20th ultimo, died at Newmarket, the well-known jockey, an eleve of Forth's-young Twitchett. During the greater part of last season his health appeared fast declining, and the event now recorded was one for which all his friends were prepared. In his profession he had not a superior of his age and standing, and he was, both from his talent and character, rapidly rising into a well-deserved popularity. His manners were peculiarly mild, and his demeanor very prepossessing. He has died respected and regretted by all who knew him; and while it will be their gratification, so may it be of service to many who are pursuing a calling from which he has been so immaturely cut off, to contemplate these his " short and simple annals." On Thursday, December the 14th, died at Newmarket, Osprey, by Buzzard, dam by Skim or Soothsayer out of Hare. This colt was a good favorite for the Derby. BETTINGS AT TATTERSALL'S. WITH the commencement of the year we give our first allusion to the season's Turf traffic. The speculation cannot, of course, be supposed to have, as yet, assumed any importance. There is a field made by the industrious, but none of those named have been backed to any amount. D'Egville, the best runner of his year, is first favorite; he is now the property of Lord George Bentinck, and being in so influential a stable will no doubt improve. Lord Jersey's Cobweb colt is next, and then another of Lord George's, Grey Momus-we quote merely the first eight, as some of that division have been in the market since it opened on the Derby. The Oaks is a dead letter, and no inquiries about the Leger. 9 to 1 agst D'Egville (take 10 to 1). 11 to 1 agst Cobweb (taken). 15 16 to 1 agst Grey Momus (take 16 to 1). to 1 agst The Early Bird. 20 to 1 agst Cobham. 21 to 1 agst Nonplus's dam. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. WE beg to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Weatherby's letter, conveying the intimation that the Stewards of the Jockey Club will name an early day after the First of February to hear "CRAVEN'S justification." We are requested by the gentleman who writes under that signature to express his thanks to the Duke of Beaufort and the Earl of Chesterfield for the prompt consideration with which they have treated his application for an opportunity of setting himself aright with the public on the late correspondence between him and the Hon. C. C. Greville. The articles signed PIERCE POSTHASTE-TANTARARA-WILDrake— H. W. S.-and F. F. C., are declined, and lie at our office for the authors; but we must repeat, we cannot, unless specially requested, undertake to preserve articles not accepted. Several communications remain over from the cause which restrained our insertion of them last month. CLIO's favor was received-he will perceive that his object has been anticipated, and as the day has but one anniversary, he will understand our dilemma, and give us credit for the regret that is consequent upon it. J. T. at Garraway's must put his question more definitely before he can receive a satisfactory answer. Does he mean a leap in the clear, on the level, or under what conditions it may have been effected? Should a bet of any importance, however, depend upon our reply, we will supply J. T. with particulars, and give the authority. I. LOYAL FOX-HUNTERS, II. PORTRAIT OF FLIXER. LOYAL FOX-HUNTERS. Engraved by T. S, ENGLEHEART from a Painting by F. C. TURner THE TOAST. COME! crown all your bumpers, till, mantling and bright, They o'erflow with the soul's rosy dew: Up, up to the brim, while we hallow aright Full oft have we filled to the patriot vow "The Throne and its honored Possessor;" But the toast of the heart is the pledge we quaff now--- VOL. XVI.-SECOND SERIES.-No, 94. K k |