disconsolate owner at rest, if he has not been induced to part with the animal previously in despair. It should be remembered that these gatherings often form several times before the cause of them makes its appearance. When, therefore, they occur, they had better be encouraged as much as possible by the application of poultices, &c. When thorns or stubs are very deeply seated, or much in the vicinity of veins, sinews, &c., the safest plan is to call in the assistance of the veterinary surgeon, as a knowledge of anatomy may be required. The stubs from their size are more formidable, and will oftener stand in need of veterinary science than thorns. In some countries, especially those where many hop poles are cut, the most surprising thing is, that every horse is not lamed by them. I believe the best method at such times is to permit the horse to pick his own way as much as possible; this, however, requires considerable nerve. THICK WIND. This is an ailment which is not very frequently met with among the superior descriptions of horses, except when an accompaniment of chronic cough. Horses, whose pipes are not quite so clear as could be desired, should be treated in much the same manner as has already been laid down for that complaint. Linseed, either mixed whole with the oats or made into tea, will be found beneficial in most instances. They must of course be kept more than usually short of water before going with hounds. WEAKNESS OF THE HOUGHS. By this is to be understood any injuries of a minor description which may affect this joint, and which for the most part partake more or less of the nature of thorough-pin. I have experienced some benefit by causing the heel of the shoe to be made as thick again as the toe, or raising the heels by means of a strong calking. I have also made use of bandages of sufficient length to admit of their being swathed round the houghs as well as the lower part of the legs, only taking care to leave the point of the joint at liberty, so as not to incommode the horse in lying down, and fancy that they have been productive of benefit. The plan of raising the heel may also be used in cases of weakness of the back sinews. SHOOTING ON THE MOORS. ENGRAVED BY J. B. SCOTT, FROM A PAINTING BY A. COOPER, R.A. There is scarcely a viler character in existence than a pot-hunting sportsman; at least, that is to say, in the way of parenthesis, if such a designation does not carry with it the chorus of the old comic song, "a plump contradiction;" for, be it known, that a dog and gun, per se, no more constitute a real sportsman, than gold or silver do a gentleman, or silks and satins a lady. Still, notwithstanding the strong objection one must always have to such a pounds-shillings-andpence, profit-and-loss practitioner, who makes the sport but a cloak for his more tradesmanlike ideas, and is continually keeping his eye on the "return list," a good bag is a grand, if not indeed a necessary, item in a good day's sport. We would warn, however, amiable, stay-at-home, unentered people, from taking as a matter of course any immense displays and grand-total of the killed and wounded as a true test of success, of actual enjoyment, or excellent skill and prowess: the worthy who, with five guns and fifteen assistants or beaters, fills his waggon or two with hares, rabbits, and pheasants, "without, I assure you, once leaving the home cover," has experienced far less sportsman's pleasure and excitement, and stands far less worthy of your flattering encomiums and heaps of admiration than the man who has traversed half the county to bring down his three brace of snipes and a widgeon. It is in the union of the two that we get a chance of taking the estimate of a senior optimè, when great attempts end in great gains-when the shooter, who has toiled up the mountain's side, and braved the fatigue and chance ever incident to the moors, can count his ten or fifteen brace of grouse, point to a specimen or two of that rara avis, the ptarmigan, and descant on the proportions of a buck that has taken as much time, art, and head to "circumvent" as an Ojibbeway warrior or an Old Bailey barrister. Then it is that he may justly court the applause of his audience, as, in all the pride of place and performance, he groups himself and supporters into "one perfect blaze of triumph," lights that sylvan luxury, the short pipe, and taps the cold punch, or cold tea, whichever may the better suit his palate. Under such circumstances, considering what he has done and endured, we all must agree with Mark Tapley, that there really is some credit in being jolly. As a mere matter of form, we think it right to add, that on the first of the present month the jolly young watermen, on the good understanding of "those who win them, wear them," start for "the coat and badge;" and that, on or before the twelfth, the jolly landsmen, young and old, start for the moors, where, in comparison with the forms and ceremonies they have lately gone through, and breaches of etiquette and privilege they have just managed to avoid, they may relax at once into nature's independence; go almost anywhere and anyhow they like; kill their own meat; bake their own bread; and even, should they not be over particular in the observance of a byelaw or two, brew their own drink. Although, in the latter case, Sawney will take care to explain to them, that the independent spirit of person must not equal that of the liquor; or, in other words, that if they keep a still, they must keep it still. TROLLING AND TRIMMERING. BY CHARLES WILLOWDALE. "And now's the season, when the bright To float on some smooth river's tide, MANT'S BRITISH MONTHS. The trolling for this year may now be said to be over-if it ever indeed began. I have not known so extraordinary a season for many years. The constant north and north-east winds, with hardly a single intermission, rendered it anything but a work of pleasure to pass even an hour standing by the river-side. Sun there was none for weeks together; or if there were, the wind made it so intolerably cold that no one could stick it long. Other years have had their obstacles and cold blasts-snow in April, and hail-storms in May; but the spring of '45 has been all along bitter cold weather. We were not troubled with floods, it is true; nor was the water turbid or high; and yet no one found sport, owing, no doubt, to the absence of even a fortnight's sunshine to set the pike and small fry upon the move. I had several days, such as they were, in February; and during March we were out frequently. April, which is generally a good month in rivers not troubled with many weeds, was a failure this year; and May was rainy, ending in a flood. Nothing could exceed the scarcity of roach with us; and frequently I have had a man casting over ground-bait for two hours without taking more than half-a-dozen bait fish of the right size. Generally one finds the snaptackle catch most, and the gorge tackle secure most. But there was one peculiarity about the cold weather: it reversed the order of things; and pike gorged better, when they did bite, than I have any recollection of their doing before in the early months. Through this circumstance, which I discovered by mere chance (having lost my snap-hooks, and being ill provided with a relay, and adopting a gorge as a make-shift), I secured three fine fish in a reach of water where the banks are so steep, that as we never troll through it with snaptackle, it mostly stands over for the trimmers. Several friends, who are as good at it as need be, have, on comparing notes, agreed with me in opinion that whenever pike bite slowly in March and April, they mean gorging when they rise. There is some reason in this. Н |