A FEW WORDS FROM THE MOUNTAINS. BY HAWTHORNE, Scotland-dearly loved Scotland! thy dark mountains, rugged rocks, "deep and dark corries," rapid rivers, and lovely lochs, each and all have many charms for the heart of the true sportsman; and as each passing season returns, they bring with them a double relish for thy sports and pastimes. Ah, brother sportsmen! on these dark mountains and moors roam the noble red hart; amid the wooded dales the nimble and light-footed roe skips swiftly past; there that magnificent bird "the cock o' the woods" (capercailzie) perched on the top of yon black pine; and here is the gallant blackcock, with his glossy plumage, with his steady flight, winging his way to yon birch coppice In the August number of old Maga, we foretold that on many of the moors in the "far-north," the " grouse family" would be found deficient this season, and on many of these moors it was so; but on the front range of the Grampians, and particularly in Perthshire, a fair average crop of birds were found; and in many of these shooting grounds, good fair sport obtained. It is also pleasing to relate that all other kinds of game have bred well in Scotland this season partridges and pheasants are very plentiful in many of the low straths near the mountains, and we may add that the alpine hare is to be found in great plenty on every hill top; and what has added a greater charm to the sports of the hills, has been the glorious and beautiful weather we have bad in Scotland ever since the opening day of 1855. Even up to the present writing (20th of December), the weather is still all that could be wished for by the sportsman. Should this dry weather continue, and the dark mountains keep anything like free from snow, and a favourable spring time follow, we may anticipate a grand and glorious season in 1856, as the grouse are all in blooming health, and black game has not been so plentiful for these past five or six seasons as they are at this time in the north. The Duke of Atholl had good sport in Glen Tilt, and brought many a gallant knight of the forest to the pack-saddle, or back of the highland shelty." We hear that his Grace killed thirteen deer in one day's shooting among the glens o' the Tilt. The Marquess of Breadalbane had very good sport in his Black Mount Forest, and many a noble stag was laid low by his lordship's unerring rifle; and we are told that some good deer were killed in Lord Willoughby's forest-the far-famed Glenartney. The Earl of Mansfield had very fair sport at grouse and blackgame, on his lordship's Logiealmond moors, and killed some 700 brace of birds during the first "two months" of the season. Mr. Padwick, at Drumour Lodge, Strathbraan, had excellent sport; and, up to the end of the grouse season, brought 1,000 brace of birds to book. The Conachan party numbered 500 brace, and have left a bountiful supply of birds to stock their bonnie brown moors, come another season. Mr. Paton, the Laird of Glenalmond-an old friend of mine-has had good sport among the grouse in the past season; and, having left a bountiful supply of birds on his moors, lives in hopes of another glorious campaign among the mountains. The party who rent the Corrie Mucklock shootings, on the Glenalmond estate, had also good sport, and numbered over 500 brace of birds in the first six weeks of their season. We could enumerate many others who have had fair sport, but enough has been said; and we know that every true sportsman will be happy to hear that the grouse are all in a healthy state at this present period. That worthy and true sportsman, the Earl of Wemyss, has taken the Loch Kennard shooting for 1856. We wish his lordship good sport, both in the present season, with his hounds, and in the coming season, among the mountains. We can congratulate his lordship in having a good neighbour in our old friend Mr. Harry Padwick, the tenant of the Drumour shootings; and a good neighbour is a great consideration in a "grousing locality," particularly so as regards the Loch Kennard and Drumour grouse-shootings. But we must cease our scribbling, as time is up, and we must be off to our roadside post-office, so as to be ready for old Maga. Grampians, Dec. 20th, 1855. LITERATURE. By E. "BEATEN PATHS FROM BOULOGNE TO BABELMANDEB.' Sullivan, Esq. Saunders and Otley, Conduit-street. Beaten as the path may be, from London to Suez, few will object to tread it again in company with the author of the above work, who has discovered fresh beauties at every step. He is the beau ideal of companions; one who to a classical and refined education adds a thorough insight into the character of men and manners, and at once takes his stand among the best authors of the day. The volume-for we regret to say the journey is condensed into a single book-is replete with interest, interspersed with anecdotes novel and amusing; and the historical allusions are truly instructive. We strongly recommend all our readers to possess themselves of the book, which is admirably suited to every class; and as a new year's gift to the young or aged of both sexes, nothing more appropriate could be found. The classical erudition of the Scotch novellist is happily combined with the lighter writing of Thackeray "THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN IN SEARCH OF A HORSE." By Sir George Stephen. Saunders and Otley, Conduit-street. We are not at all surprised that this work has gone through six editions, for it is unquestionably the best of its class extant; there is nothing, connected with the horse, or horse-dealing, that the talented writer does not treat upon, and in a most amusing and scientific manner. Both the vendor and the purchaser will find the most valuable information contained in this volume, which ought to be in the library of every one who is, or aspires to be, a horse-owner. Hundreds of pounds might be saved by a close study of the work; and in every case of warranty that is brought before a jury, the jurors would do well to study the cases and laws therein quoted. For deep knowledge of the powers of the noble animal-for a thorough acquaintance with the tricks of the dealersfor a perfect insight into the laws of warranty-for the most graphic description of the gentleman-dealer-for a learned disquisition upon the ills that horse-flesh is heir to-the writer is second to none; and the volume, which is very nicely and characteristically illustrated, will be read with avidity, and retained as a book of reference by all who are anxious" to witch the world with noble horsemanship." PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. "I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy. If the old comedies suffer in comparison with those of the present day, it is very different with pantomime; for there the ancient triumphed over the modern. This receives striking confirmation from the old playgoer, more particularly after viewing the present batch of holiday entertainments. Amongst the season's novelties, burlesque has only a solitary representative. With such exception, pantomime is in full force; but the pantomime of to-day is a very different affair to the pantomime of yesterday. In former days the essential was considered to be fun; now it is scenery, each theatre looking more to the dazzling impression to be made by scenic wonders than by convulsing its audience by humorous incidents. And, certainly, there is no denying that this determination to render canvas as attractive as possible is worthily carried out, the principal theatres presenting just now pictures that would reflect credit on any artist. First comes the HAYMARKET, with some scenes that provokingly remind you of the artistic feasts that were wont to be served up at this season at the Lyceum; but there, now, it is "Like some banquet-hall deserted." Mr. Calcott deserves to be named with Mr. Beverley for his share in pictorial representation. "The Butterfly's Ball," with the exception of its Pantaloon, presents the same pantomimists as last year, since when the Columbine, Miss Mary Brown, has not decreased in popularity or in rotundity. Then, brilliant in all the gorgeous palaces of fairy-land, is the PRINCESS'S, with "The Maid and the Magpie." The first scene is a sparking affair, rendered all the more so perhaps from following so closely upon one of those old comedies which managers will persist in playing. In this instance, "The Heir at Law," with the "latest addition" of a Dick Dowlas with a moustache, like the doctor's black dose, requires something nice" afterwards; and anything more palatable than this first scene it would be difficult to bring forward. In all respects it is a great success, whether regarded in an artistic light or any other light; indeed, the effect is electric. Mr. Lloyds, the painter, deserves to have his name recorded in letters of gold; and of Miss Kate Terry what shall be said? Why, she is "every inch a Queen" of Fairyland. As for Mr. Saker, there never was such a magpie. The other scenes introduce plenty of seasonable matter, particularly the introductory part, in which the fair Annette takes a conspicuous part. The harlequinade introduces some very good tricks and changes, the part taken by some of the most "clever dogs" to be met with being of itself an exhibition which is only to be credited by ocular demonstration. Mr. Beverley contributes his illustrations to the "Christmas pieces" at DRURY LANE and COVENT GARDEN. In other respects, "Hey Diddle Diddle" and "La Belle Alliance" are about the average. The former is not in any way improved by having a double complement of pantomimists, which may do very well for the booth, but is hardly suited to a London theatre: not even to an audience savage enough to bear with the barbarous announcement in the bills of "Mr. Charles Matthews in two pieces!" The latter requires time; the Wizard of the North, with all his magic powers, not being able to effect in a few days what on ordinary occasions requires months to perfect. At the ADELPHI, the experiment is made of burlesquing pantomime, and not a successful one by any means. The most notable part of "Jack and the Bean Stalk" is the Harlequin of Madame Celeste, which is not the less attractive from imposing the almost general silence of Mr. Spangles. The wand of the many-coloured Harlequin is in full play at ASTLEY'S, where "St. George and the Dragon' gives full scope for the display of the stud under Mr. Cooke's management. If the topics of the day do not receive particularly brilliant treatment, still the wonders of the ring and the daring feats performed by Dick Turpin in his mount to York, on Black Bess, are sufficient to satisfy the holiday visitors, and to warrant the manager in continuing the run of "Rookwood" and the performance of the "Scenes in the Circle." "Alone in its glory" is the OLYMPIC with burlesque, Mr. Planché, as usual, doing the honours. If "The Discreet Princess" is not like the majority of extravaganzas from the same polished pen, it is yet clever and seasonable. The whole weight falls upon Mr. Robson, and well he bears it, as he invariably does; indeed, without him the Olympic would be-nothing. SALE OF THE QUORN THE LATE SIR RICHARD SUTTON'S HOUNDS AND HORSES. A paper in another part of the magazine will be found devoted to this subject; but we think it only right to give here the full particulars of the sale: FOXHOUNDS. LOT 1 (FIVE COUPLE). Purchased by the Earl of Stamford-59 guineas. SPEEDWELL, 6 yrs., by Mr. Lumley's Sultan, out of Wisdom. TRAFFIC, 3 yrs., by Trueman, out of Vanquish. VAMPYRE, 2 yrs., by Duke of Rutland's Rufus, out of Violet. LOT 2 (FIVE COUPLE). Purchased by Mr. Drake-52 guincas. GOVERNESS, 8 yrs., by Donnington Syntax, out of their Gaudy. MODISH, 6 yrs., by Mr. Lumley's Singer, out of Melody. VERITY, 5 yrs., by Trueman, out of Fife Vocal. GAUDY, 4 yrs., by Trueman, out of Gravity. GAMBLER, 2 yrs., by Dryden, out of Guilty. LOT 3 (FIVE COUPLE). Purchased by Mr. Morrell-210 guineas. DEXTER, 3 years, by Lord H. Bentinck's Contest, out of Daphne. HERCULES, 5 years, by Lord Yarborough's Albion-his Harriet. TROJAN, 4 years, by Trueman, out of Vanquish, ROSEBUD, 3 years, by Trueman, out of Roguish. ACTIVE, 3 years, by Albert, out of Dorcas. LANGUISH, 3 years, by Trueman, out of Lavish. BAJAZET, 2 years, by Mr. Lumley's Royster, out of Barbara. GENERAL, 1 year, by Glider, out of Lavender. GUILDER, 1 year, by Glider, out of Lavender. LOFTY, 1 year, by Duke of Rutland's Clinker, out of Languish. LOT 4 (FIVE COUPLE). Purchased by Mr. R. Sutton-200 guineas. RUMMAGER, 6 years, by Duke of Rutland's Raglan-Parasol. DAIRYMAID, 5 years, by Glider, out of Dorcas. POTENTATE, 5 years hy Trueman, out of Parasol. |