Part 57
OTTER-HUNTING.—On Thursday, April 24th, the hounds of Andrew Corbet, Esq., of Acton Reynald, in the county of Salop, threw off at Ternhill, and, opposite Fordall, hit on a drag which led them to a covered drain between the two pools at Buntings-dale, from which an otter was immediately bolted into the lower pool, where he showed excellent sport for forty minutes, and was killed in high style. On Friday, the same hounds resumed the sport, throwing off at Brook’s Mill, near Combermere, in Cheshire, where they were again successful in finding and killing a large dog otter. On Saturday, this famous pack threw off at Norton, above Drayton, and came down water to Peetswood pools, where they found a remarkable large otter, weighing 23 lbs., which was speared by Mr. Davies, after a chase of two hours.
The Sportsman’s Library.
The latest addition to the popular “Fur, Feather and Fin Series” of monographs is Mr. T. F. Dale’s contribution on the fox.[14] A most entertaining volume he has put together, for he combines practical knowledge with much reading; and the preparation of the work has evidently been a labour of love. There is not a phase of interest relating to the fox upon which the author has not touched, from the secrets of the animal’s normal life to the part he plays in fable and legend. He opens his first chapter with the apt remark that “the survival of the fox is the most notable fact in his natural history”; and of the British fox this is especially true: it was Ralph Holinshed, if we mistake not, who in Queen Elizabeth’s time offered the explanation of the fox’s survival in the suggestion that he must long ere then have been exterminated but for the indulgence shown him by the farming classes out of goodwill to the sporting tastes of their landlords. In course of his remarks on the species and varieties of foxes the author touches upon the disputed question of fox-dog hybrids, and clearly leans to the belief that such crosses do occur under favourable circumstances. He will have the weight of expert opinion with him in his observations on scent. It is, we think, generally accepted as a fact that the scent of individual foxes differs, at least in degree; but is it certain that Asiatic foxes leave no scent? We may grant that absence of this quality would be of distinct advantage to a weak animal in countries where beasts of prey occur; but does not scent confer an advantage on the owner as well as a disadvantage? We should be inclined to think that the heat of the sun was largely accountable for the lack of scent noticeable in Indian foxes.
Mr. Dale puts forward a theory to account for the preference often shown by the breeding vixen for a badger’s cete which commends itself; he suggests that the presence of the badger offers a measure of protection against the invasion of terriers—an advantage which perhaps would be fully appreciated by an animal so intelligent as the fox. True, not every badger has a welcome for the fox which takes up its quarters in the cete, as witness the cubs killed by badgers, after the method which makes the cause of death unmistakable; but we must allow for the varying temperament and disposition of individual members of any given species.
[Illustration:
“WHEN ALL IS QUIET.”
From “The Fox”: “Fur, Feather and Fin” Series. (By permission of the Publishers.) ]
An excellent and suggestive chapter is that on the “Education of the Fox,” and one that greatly tempts us to quotation; one remark only we reproduce, however, for the benefit of the soft-hearted people who see nothing but “cruelty” in foxhunting: “Hunting is his life: being hunted, but an episode.” There is the whole history of fox-life in a sentence. Early in the next chapter, on “The Mind of the Fox,” however, Mr. Dale hazards the conjecture that “it is not certain that he (the fox) is in reality more intelligent than other wild animals.” Flat treason this, Mr. Dale! Does not nearly every page of this most readable and thoughtful book of yours plead for a verdict in the contrary sense? We grant the cunning of hunted deer and hare, we accept their wiles as proof of high intelligence; but we cannot have it that the fox, the most assiduous of hunters and the most assiduously hunted, does not excel these in sagacity and resource. We would base our contention on the principle that a beast of prey which owes his existence to his skill and talent for circumventing other wild creatures, must of necessity develop higher mental faculties, more acute reasoning powers, if you will, than one which finds food ever ready to his mouth; and we would urge that your own wide knowledge of fox habit and wile fully justify your subsequent observation that the “intelligence which is necessary for the survival of the race is very marked.”
When he comes to such matters as fox preservation and the home and haunts of the fox, the author of necessity is on much trodden ground, but nevertheless he has the art of putting familiar facts in a new and entertaining form. Incidentally it may be noted that the old-time method of dragging up to the fox’s kennel is still followed by the Fell packs as well as on Exmoor. Those who know not the coastline of Somerset and Devon will find much to interest them in the author’s remarks on the cliff-haunting foxes and the difficulties of killing them; but Mr. Dale does not believe that foxes which settle in a covert inland ever, of their own will, return to the cliffs. This, we imagine, is highly probable; the advantages of covert life appear to compare more than favourably with those of a cliff existence.
In the chapter on “The Hunted Fox” we again naturally encounter the question of fox intelligence, and here we find ourselves in complete accord with our author. “If there were none but clever foxes we should soon give up hunting; if there were none but simple ones we should soon have no more foxes to hunt. The variability of the fox (as regards his intelligence) is an advantage to the race and to the sport.”
The suggestion that one cause of the degeneracy of foxes is that more of the straight-running (_i.e._, simple-minded) are killed than of the cunning foxes which use their wits to beat hounds, deserves notice. The dodging fox lives longer to reproduce his kind, endued with his qualities of cunning and wile.
When considering the “Fox as Outlaw,” Mr. Dale gives some very interesting figures relating to expenditure on hunting. He calculates that in a certain country the money spent by the master and members of the hunt on horses, hounds, food, and wages, represents £36 per head spent on each fox killed. It would not be difficult to prove the expenditure much larger, but the argument will serve as it stands. Passing over the “Fox in Fable”—proof, surely, of the superiority of wisdom attributed to the fox from very early times—and a very interesting chapter on jackal-hunting in India, we have a few pages on what we may call the economic aspects of the fox, as represented by the pelts of his foreign relatives. The work concludes with a chapter on the congenial topic of hunting. The ethical view of the matter is boldly faced, and the gist of the case is simply that foxes must be killed, and if not fairly killed by hounds, would meet their fate in some other way, probably more painful. The fox fulfils his mission in this country as a medium for the distribution of cash where it is most wanted, and as a source of pleasure; and all hunting men will heartily agree with the writer of this charming book when he says that “hardly any animal has, in the long history of its race, been of more importance in the literature and life of man, or is more interesting as a study of animal life and mind.” Mr. Archibald Thorburn’s drawings are most admirable.
Polo in 1906.
The polo season of 1906 commenced at Rugby and Leamington early in April, and has been continued up to the time of writing in the most glorious weather, which reminds one more of the middle of June than the beginning of April; it is only to be hoped that we shall not have to pay for it later on. Warwickshire seems to start polo before the other clubs, and in greater numbers than any other county; on April 9, there were 17 players at Rugby and 16 at Leamington.
The prospects of the London season never were brighter, and the only difficulty for polo managers will be to satisfy their clients with the number of matches that they are able to allot them, provided only the weather is favourable.
The great difficulty for polo players, who have not already mounted themselves for the season, will be to supply themselves with handy, easy ponies that they can play on; for I think it will be found more than ever this year that the supply is not equal to the demand.
The great increase in the all-round demand for good ponies and the improvement of polo in England is, I think, due in a large measure to the number of civilian teams that have been started in London during the last few years; it is not only due to the fact that the players in these teams improve their own play through playing constantly with the same men against other good teams, but after playing in a team they are never again satisfied with members’ game polo, and they go away to their county clubs and teach these what they have themselves learnt in London, to the all-round betterment and benefit of the game.
I append a list of the probable civilian combinations this season, in addition to which there will be teams representing Worcester Park, the Crystal Palace, and Kingsbury, and probably Hatfield and Essex.
AMERICAN FREEBOOTERS.
I. Bell, J. I. Blair, R. J. Collier, F. J. Mackey.
BEAVERS.
W. Roylance Court, Capt. Phipps Hornby, A. M. Tree, F. Barbour.
EDEN PARK.
H. Bucknall, F. Rich, P. Bucknall, P. Bullivant (F. C. Nash, Secretary).
IRELAND.
A. Rotherham, S. Watt, P. O’Reilly, C. O’Hara.
MAGPIES.
C. Grenfell, R. Grenfell, Capt. Gosling, Duke of Roxburgbe, Duke of Westminster, Capt. Long, F. Bellville.
MOONLIGHTERS.
J. Pearce, N. Baring, J. B. Dale, J. Lawson.
MORETON MORRELL.
C. Garland, Lord Wodehouse, I. Bell, W. S. Buckmaster, C. P. Nickalls.
PARTHIANS.
Capt. F. W. Barrett, Lord Kensington, Capt. Mathew Lassowe, Capt. C. Hunter, W. B. Burdon, G. R. Powell.
ROEHAMPTON.
M. Nickalls, C. P. Nickalls, Capt. H. Wilson, Capt. H. Lloyd, P. W. Nickalls.
RUGBY.
Lord Shrewsbury, Walter Jones, G. A. Miller, C. D. Miller, Capt. E. D. Miller.
TIVERTON.
M. de Las Casas, J. C. de Las Casas, L. de Las Casas, A. de Las Casas.
RANELAGH.
Capt. H. Jenner, Hon. A. Hastings, Capt. de Crespigny, Capt. Hon. F. Guest, F. A. Gill.
ROKEBY.
Capt. Dunbar, Capt. A. Harman, Capt. Lee, Comte J. de Madre.
Three of the best of the London players will be much missed this season. Mr. F. M. Freake has temporarily retired from the game, and Captain Heseltine has joined his regiment in India, which has caused Mr. Buckmaster to abandon the attempt to produce an old Cantab team. They will be much missed in London, as they were a very fine team, and for the last eight years have always been either runners up or winners of the Champion Cup.
Another great loss to London polo will be Mr. U. O. Thynne, who has decided to give up the game for a time. He has run the Magpie team for a number of years, and his place will be hard to fill.
The great attraction of the London season will be the visit of the Irish team, who distinguished themselves so much last autumn by winning the Irish Open Cup and the International match in Dublin. They are engaged to play exhibition matches at Roehampton, on June 9th and 13th, against Rugby and Roehampton, and on June 6th at Hurlingham. The International match, England _v._ Ireland, will take place at Hurlington on June 16th, and the team is also expected to play in the Champion Cup.
As regards regimental polo prospects are fairly bright, but some of the regiments labour under great disadvantages.
The 7th Hussars are at Ipswich, and find themselves without a ground to play on; they have, however, one squadron at Weedon, where they can get plenty of play, and though they have only just come home they have every intention of producing a useful team at the Tournament. The 7th Hussars, like the 9th Lancers, no matter how the regiment changes, are always formidable. The 9th has just proved the truth of this in India, by defeating the hitherto (for four years) invincible 15th. Indeed, their most formidable opponents turned out to be the 17th, of whom the same may be said as of the 7th and 9th.
The Inniskillings will probably be without the invaluable services of Major Haig, who has had a serious illness, but is, I am glad to say, on the high road to recovery.
The 20th Hussars will probably lose Captain Lee, whose broken leg has taken a very long time to mend, and he is not in the saddle yet.
The 8th Hussars had some very good players last year, and the transfer of Major Wormald from the 7th should strengthen them and enable them to produce a really good team.
The 11th Hussars were so near the Inniskillings last year that with very slight improvement they should prove themselves dangerous competitors for any regiment.
The Household regiments will be represented probably by much the same teams, except that the Blues may find themselves stronger by the inclusion of Lord A. Innes Kerr, who has joined them from the Royals. In fact, the prospects of a most interesting Regimental Tournament are of the best.
The Champion Cup is sure to produce a good contest with such teams as Roehampton, Ireland, Rugby, Ranelagh, and Moreton Morrell competing for it, and the County Cup should be very even between Rugby (last year’s winners), Cirencester, Eden Park, and the best of the Yorkshire clubs.
I append a list of the tournaments that will probably take place, with the dates.
TOURNAMENTS, 1906.
April 16–21 Warwickshire (Leamington) Spring Tournament.
April 23–28 Eden Park Members’ Tournament.
May 2–5 Ranelagh Handicap Tournament.
May 7–11 Roehampton Handicap Tournament.
May 7-11 Eden Park Open Tournament (Tues. to Sat.).
May 14–19 Ranelagh Hunt Cup.
May 21–26 Roehampton Public Schools’ Cup.
May 28–June 2 Hurlingham Social Clubs’ Tournament.
May 28–June 2 Middlewood County Cup Northern Ties (Tues. to Sat.), and Handicap Tournament.
June 4–9 Ranelagh Army Cup.
June 4–9 Paris International Tournament.
June 18–23 Hurlingham Champion Cup.
June 18–23 Ranelagh Novices’ Cup.
June 25–30 Ranelagh Open Cup.
June 25–30 Roehampton Junior Championship.
June 25–30 Hurlingham University Match (Mon.).
July 2–7 Hurlingham Inter-Regimental Tournament (semi-finals, Wed. and Thurs.; Final, Sat.).
July 2–7 Roehampton Cup.
July 9–14 Hurlingham County Cup (semi-finals, Wed. and Thurs.; final, Sat.).
July 9–14 Ranelagh Subalterns’ Cup.
July 9–14 Roehampton Ladies’ Nomination Tournament.
July 9–14 Otter Vale North Devon Tournament.
July 9–14 Ostend Tournaments commence.
July 16–21 Hurlingham Handicap Tournament.
July 16–21 Ranelagh Hunt Tournament.
July 16–21 Blackmore Vale Junior Championship.
July 16–21 Ostend Tournaments continued.
July 24–29 Stratford-on-Avon Tournament.
July 24–29 Blackmore Vale Country Clubs’ Junior Championship.
July 24–29 Co. Westmeath Tournament.
July 24–29 Ostend Prix des Dames.
July 30–Aug. 4 Warwickshire Tournament.
July 30–Aug. 4 Eden Park Invitation Tournament.
Aug. 6–11 Rugby Tournament.
Aug. 6–11 York Hunt Tournament.
Aug. 6–11 Co. Wexford American Tournament (probably Thurs. to Sat.).
Aug. 13–18 Cirencester Tournament.
Aug. 13–18 Eaton, Chester Tournament.
Aug. 13–18 All Ireland County Cup.
Aug. 13–18 Deauville International Tournament (probably).
Aug. 20–25 Blackmore Vale Tournament.
Aug. 20–25 Catterick Bridge Open Handicap Tournament.
Aug. 20–25 All Ireland County Cup.
Aug. 27–Sept. 1 North Wilts Tournament
Aug. 27–Sept. 1 All Ireland Open Tournament.
Sept. 4–9 All Ireland Regimental Tournament.
Sept. 17–22 Rugby Autumn Tournament.
Oct. 1–6 Rugby October Handicap Tournament.
E. D. MILLER.
“Our Van.”
RACING.
With quite a flourish of trumpets the flat-racing season began simultaneously with the going out of steeplechasing. I do not hesitate to attribute this to the weather, which was exceptionally fine for the first week of flat racing. It can be, and usually is, exceedingly bitter at Lincoln; and those who grumbled at the wind either had no previous experiences to fall back upon, or were troubled with poor memories. The Carholme has so bleak a situation that we are bound to catch any wind there is, and, unfortunately, at this season of the year it blows either into or along the enclosures. There is a meeting between North and South owners and trainers, and the special train from London on the first day bore with it quite as many well-known figures on the Turf as one expects. Amongst them was our amateur owner-jockey—a description which differentiates decidedly from jockey-owner—Mr. George Thursby, not long returned from a winter sojourn in Jamaica. The climate there is so conducive to indolence that Mr. Thursby found himself 19 lb. over weight, 10 lb. of which was got rid of on the way home by the drastic method of assisting the stokers. The keen racing brigade was well represented, and it is as well that the persevering army of backers should be so, for we cannot too soon begin taking notes for future use against the bookmakers. The greatest enthusiasm was aroused by the Batthyany Stakes, in which Rising Falcon, last year’s winner under 9 st., was trying again with 9 lb. more. Even under this burden he started joint favourite with Canty Bay, the fact that he was ridden as usual by Madden, thus making a pair that well understood one another, not being without influence. As matters turned out Madden was wanted. He did not hesitate to push Rising Falcon for all he was worth, and his winning was not in doubt until he was within a hundred yards of the post. There Golden Gleam and Early Bird drew upon him so rapidly that he was all but caught, for he had a short head only to spare from Golden Gleam when he passed the post. The next two, Early Bird and Golden Coin, were also separated by short heads, so the finish may be imagined. Madden came in for quite an ovation, and was actually seen to smile.
[Illustration:
ASCETIC’S SILVER.
_Photo by W. A. Kouch and Co._] ]
The Lincolnshire Handicap day, upon which the pecuniary success of the meeting mainly depends, was very disappointing to the executive, the attendance being quite poor for the occasion. The field, which consisted of twenty-four, has been described as a poor one for quality, but it seemed to me to strike the average. We cannot have a Bendigo or a Clorane every year; as a matter of detail, a horse of this class appears about once every ten years. According to the papers, certain horses were at the top of the betting quotations, but as a visit to the leading club five days previous to the race revealed precisely three bookmakers, representing only two firms, seated at the fire, it is probable that the volume of betting was not great. There was some on the day of the race, however; and in these days of degenerate wagering it was interesting to learn that one layer stood £30,000 against M. Ephrussi’s Ob. It was not difficult to lay that amount, for the lowest price at which the French horse was quoted was 20 to 1, plenty of smaller money being got on at 25 to 1. Ob had won three races in France under good weights as a four-year-old; but probably his failure to make any show in last year’s City and Suburban made the greater impression. The English money was chiefly for Roseate Dawn, upon whom Newmarket pinned its faith, and Dean Swift, the last-named coming with such a rush in the betting as to oust Roseate Dawn from favouritism. The public were not far out, for if the race had been run over again Dean Swift would probably, and Roseate Dawn possibly, have been returned the winner. The delay at the start was something terrible, but a very good one took place. Dean Swift and Roseate Dawn, however, began so badly as to look quite out of it in the earlier stages of the race, whereas Ob was amongst the leading lot; the actual first being the last Cambridgeshire winner, Velocity, and Catty Crag. Each in turn fell away, and Ob was left in command. Dean Swift bore down upon him, with great effect, a very exciting finish resulting. Dean Swift actually got his head in front, but Ob finished the straighter and won by a head, Roseate Dawn making up some lengths from the distance, and finishing a length behind Dean Swift.
For the Brocklesby it was elected to plump for the St. Simon—Satirical filly, chiefly on the strength of a trial at home with a stable companion that won the day before. In appearance she justified the comparisons that were made to a hare and a whippet respectively, but she was all the more thought likely to win over the four-furlong scramble so early in the year, better furnished ones in Luisis, a bay filly by Orvieto—Filipena, and a colt by Galashiels—Brenda, being looked upon as likely to be seen to advantage later on. No doubt they will be, but as they were they were more than equal to the Satirical filly, who had every chance to win, for she was once in front, but was beaten fair and square.
Lincoln itself has not gone with the times in keeping the town clear of thieves and similar undesirables. One of the hotels greatly frequented by racing people was “gone over” to some purpose. Until recently “till frisking” was a favourite pastime of these gentry at Lincoln, but hotel-keepers have learned to protect themselves by means of pugilistic looking barmen more at home at the East End of London, probably. In the meantime the need of the town is a chief constable such as we have at Chester and Brighton. Brighton, at race times, is a place completely changed from what it was a few years since, when it was not safe to walk the streets in the evening.