soever he entered into it; for, although by nature a satirist, he sought but to amuse, and if pain was given, the remedy was at hand by the same means by which the wound was inflicted. A Poem written by him, called Epwell Hunt, descriptive of a run he saw with Mr. Corbet's hounds--somewhat in the style of the famous Billesdon Coplow song was an admirable song-was performance as a real picture of the passing scene, and if I am not much mistaken, will outlive the best of his judicial orations.

The town of Stratford-on-Avon, the head quarters of the Warwickshire hunt, has little to recommend it, save a handsome church and bridge, and excellent accommodations for sportsmen, at the Inns. The house in which Shakespeare was born is still standing, and reminds us of a pleasing feature in ancient history. Alexander the Great destroyed the town of Thebes; but such was his respect for the immortal Pindar, that he ordered the house in which he had lived to be preserved from the general wreck, and all that remained of his family from the dreadful effects of his vengeance.

Warwickshire has always been in good repute as a sporting country, and remarkable for producing what may be termed a breed of sportsmen, not confined to hunting, but possessing a taste for every variety of field sports. To this circumstance may be attributed the very excellent understanding that has existed between the gentlemen and the yeomanry, and it also accounts for the strict preservation of foxes for which it has so long been conspicuous. The yeomanry of Warwickshire, however, are for the most part an enlightened race of men, and therefore superior to the self

ish consideration that induces some persons to destroy an animal that may afford amusement to hundreds residing in the same county with themselves, because the possibility exists of a lamb or a chicken being their loss. But, from the pen of a sportsman, too much praise cannot be bestowed on English yeomen in general, to whom hunting is so mainly indebted; and indeed justice has been done them by an eminent Poet and Sportsman, who thus honorably characterises them; "England's peculiar and appropriate sons

Known in no other land. Each boasts his hearth

And field as free as the best lord his barony,
Owing subjection to no human vassalage,
Save to their King and law. Hence are they
resolute,

Leading the van on every day of battle,
As men who know the blessings they defend,
Hence are they frank and generous in peace,
As men who have their portion in its plenty.
No other kingdom shows such worth and
happiness

Veil'd in such low estate."

For bold and good riders has Warwickshire also been pre-emi

nent.

In the time of Mr. Corbet and Lord Middleton, those nonpareils, the Messrs. Canning, were in their prime. Their name and fame have been handed down to posterity by the pen of Nimrod, in an account he gave of Mr. Corbet's hounds, but the subject will admit of repetition. The weight of each of these brothers was, saddle included, nearly eighteen stone, and each was a six foot man and more. But perhaps the most extraordinary feature in their character, was the circumstance of their having received their education in foreign countries, and not entering the field till some years after the period of manhood. The elder brother was an extraordinary man across a country for his weight; but the younger Mr. Robert Canning, six feet four inches in height, was described by Nimrod as a prodigy. No light weight in

the country could ever see more of a run than he could, and he kept this foremost place for a period of full twenty years. He was also distinguished by another enviable qualification for a hard-riding sportsman. He was totally free from jealousy, and never claimed the palm which was so generally yielded to him by others.

Warwickshire could also boast of producing one other native horseman, such as has been rarely excelled in the art of riding to hounds. This gentleman's name is Wyatt, and

another son of Hercules-six feet three inches would not take the measure of him from top to toe. He was for many years after the Cannings began to decline, quite the leading man in Warwickshire, and those who have witnessed his performance can never forget the brilliant and straight-forward style in which he rode to his hounds.

SMOAKER.

Engraved by WEBB, from a Painting by A. COOPER, R. A.

MR. EDITOR,

I WAS much grieved to read in your last number an account of the death of the Hon. Grantley Berke

ley's dog Smoaker, whose performances I have frequently witnessed-and very clever they were; added to which, a more magnificent animal was never seen, especially when employed as a retriever. The style with which he took his fences, clearing the highest at a single bound, cannot be surpassed.

The first time I saw him do this, was one day when out shooting with the Hon. Moreton and Grantley Berkeley, at Cranford, when, having just killed a cock pheasant, Mr. G. B. exclaimed, "Now, Cooper, if you wish to see something beautiful, and worthy a painter's notice, observe Smoaker as he comes out of the cover with your bird;" and it certainly was a treat; the rich and varied plumage of the pheasant, contrasted with the white colour of the dog, and the whole so admirably relieved by the sombre dark wood, made an impression on my mind which I hope will never be erased. On my return home I made a slight sketch, which, though it does not come up to my ideas of the beauty of the subjects, yet, in the absence of Nature herself, I hope will prove acceptable to your numerous readers. Mr. Editor,

Your obedient servant,
A. COOPER, R. A.