unless, indeed, the head and front of my offending consist in my having taken the liberty of contributing to your pages. I am too well aware that you might have been as well without, as with the utmost aid which I could afford to the establishment of the SPORTING REVIEW; but, being one of the many who considered such a work called for, I took the interest of a sportsman in its debût, and joined the ranks of its contributors with the most disinterested desire for its success. In the earliest days of the "New Sporting Magazine," I took the same course, excepting that, not having then attained a certain degree in sporting experience, I did not write under my own signature; but I have repeatedly received the warmest acknowledgments for anonymous contributions both to the New and Old Sporting Magazines, the latter of which has pursued the even tenor of its way with a courtesy consistent with its stability. In upholding the SPORTING REVIEW, I had about as much idea of injuring either Magazine as the patrons of yachting here, at Cowes, have of annihilating aquatics at Plymouth. With regard to the abuse which, without shew of argument, the proprietors of the "New Sporting Magazine" have thought fit to lavish upon "The Noble Science," I am content to remain under their displeasure, satisfied with the contrary feeling so generally displayed, and grateful for the generous, unsolicited approbation bestowed upon the work by eleven out of twelve other papers and periodicals. The "New Sporting Magazine" attempts to cast ridicule upon him so lately its boast, even upon Nimrod, who, by the way, must be tolerably surprised at finding himself styled "Mr. Radcliffe's Mr. Nimrod, considering that I never yet, to my knowledge, had the pleasure of seeing, or ever had the slightest communication, directly or indirectly, with that talented sportsman. They say that it is an ill bird that fouls its own nest, and the public will value at its worth the opinion of those who can turn round upon their main-stay the moment it is withdrawn, vituperating the very source from which they had hitherto drawn their claims to public favour, and instead of uttering, in the language of a noble-minded senator to a formidable opponent, "O utinam NOBIS!" "would he were with us!"-can decry the fruit as sour the moment they find that it is unattainable. An author is fair game, and must put up with such a measure of grace as the taste of his reviewer may dictate; but I must confess, that I was wholly unprepared for attacks directed at personal relations, rather than at matters fit for public discussion. Both Old and New Magazines are to be seen complete in my library. The latter I have taken in from the first to the last number, but those for May and June were kept from my sight by well-judging friends, at a time when excitement of any kind might have been fatal to me. Having been insensible to the blows when levelled at me, I * Such, indeed, has been the indulgence of the public press, that the "Sunday Times" is, I believe, a solitary instance of any unfavourable mention of my book. This, however, gives me no cause of quarrel with that paper. If the writer of the article against me had ever been at Melton, he might, perhaps, have spared me the accusation of bad grammar, in having used the adjective "provincial" substantively. If he could not remember the frequent occurrence of similar license in the English language, and to have read of "theatricals in the provincials," as often as of provincial theatricals, he would much oftener have heard of hunting in the provincials than in the provinces. At the same time, there cannot be a question that the latter is the correct reading, and the former open to censure. There is, perhaps, a party tone in my writing, which may be calculated to provoke hostility from those of different opinions, and I had no right to complain had I been more roughly handled. A LETTER FROM F. P. DELME RADCLIFFE, ESQ. 133 should not now notice them, but to express, in the first place, my innocence of offence, and, secondly, my concern that any work professing the characteristics of sportsmen could thus have committed itself. I cannot adopt the silent contempt which all my friends advise. I cannot pretend to an indifference which I do not feel; for while we know that malignity which is despicable should only be despised, I cannot help regretting that the "New Sporting Magazine," however justly contemned, should have rendered itself contemptible. As to the gross mention of the hospitalities which you received from me in the course of your tour, the class of readers whom you would wish to retain, are well aware that I am the last person to desire the publication of trifles which you might deem worthy of notice, as matter of general interest. I do not think that you have deviated from the method adopted by those who have endeavoured to relieve the businesslike details of a diary, by reference to the agrémens of lighter hours. The pen of a ready writer, when directed by a polished and honourable mind, has happily, in all ages and countries, proved a passport to the best society. The gentlemen of England do not require the correction of the "New Sporting Magazine," to teach them with whom they are to maintain private intercourse. The Editor, who adopts such means to detach from a rival his patrons and friends, insults, at the same time that he displays his ignorance of, the English character. For myself, I hope ever to preserve that dignity which has been beautifully described by the most popular novelist of the present day, as "a thing which cannot be injured-one of those diamonds of the soul upon which the foulest breath leaves not a stain." Till I justly forfeit the possession of this, anything insulting or wrong which others may say, will cast its shadow on themselves, not upon me; and if I can thus resist the malice of your enemies, you can, I imagine, very well support your share of the obloquy attached to your acquaintance with me. Were I fitted, instead of unequal, to engage in paper warfare, I would decline the contest: I repeat, that I have never attempted to support one work at the expense of another. I feel confident that the SPORTING REVIEW will be able to take care of itself, and till, by further publications, I afford fair ground for animadversion, I trust that I may be spared the unmerited annoyance of personal reflections. I shall be glad if at any time I can furnish you with information calculated to advance your object, and aid you in elevating the character of sporting literature. For the present I am necessarily obliged to seek the peace of retirement, but I sincerely wish you many as willing, and more able Yours, &c. &c. contributors than F. P. DELME RADCLIFFE. We certainly were not prepared for this letter, being aware of the very delicate state of the writer's health, and the injunctions he was under to forego, for the present, all causes of excitement. It is, however, but one more instance of the persevering kindness for which we have long been indebted to him. Mr. Radcliffe has been recommended to withdraw, for a space, from the business and active pleasures of life. He has bought a yacht, with the intention of sojourning abroad for a season. Still, we have reason to know that there is little doubt of his being able soon to resume his position in social and sporting circles, and of being himself again, in his own good hall, next year.-ED. 134 YACHTING INTELLIGENCE. Cowes, July 20th, 1839. THE weather during the last week has been so squally and unpleasant, that little has been doing with the yachts;-the harbour is well filled with them, and families are arriving every day, and only waiting a change of weather to put them in requisition. The Earl and Countess of Durham, Lord Hillsborough, and many other persons of distinction, are amongst our latest arrivals. The former has engaged that beautiful cutter, the Gem, for the season. The secretary has disposed of Sir Joseph Copley's Witch (cutter), of seventy tons, to John Hambrough, Esq,; Colonel Hall's Owen Glendower (cutter), of 113 tons, to the Earl of Dysart; Sir Archibald Murray's Peri (cutter), of fifty-nine tons, to Captain Bulkeley; and the Rev. Denis George's Wave (cutter), of fifty-four tons, to Captain James Kean, R. N. At a general meeting of the members of the R. Y. S., at their house, on the 12th, Commodore the Earl of Yarborough in the chair, the sum of one hundred guineas was voted towards the subscription for erecting a statue to the Duke of Wellington. The yachts in and about the station at present are, cutters-Ann, Nautilus, Alarm, Lord of the Isles, Elizabeth, Hebe, Emerald, Earl St. Vincent, Mary, Breeze, Albatross, Sapphire, Aurora, Sultana, Arrow, Guilia, Columbine, Fanny, Amazon, Zebra, and Matilda; schooners-Norna, Harriet, Dolphin, Merlin, and Wanderer; yawlsKestrel and Falcon. Plymouth, July 10th. ROYAL WESTERN YACHT CLUB.-The Jeanette (Lord Egremont) arrived a few days ago from the eastward, and the Arun, Capt. Rich, from Portsmouth. Sailed:-the Brownsea, Captain Charitie, for Weymouth; the Leveret, John Hare, Esq., on a cruise to the westward; and the Mask, Sir Henry Blackwood, for Cork. The Rear Commodore (Captain Charles Bulkeley) is expected here in a few days, in his yacht Peri, fifty-nine tons. At the Plymonth Royal Regatta, which takes place on the 28th and 29th of August, under the patronage of her most gracious Majesty, the prizes are as follow:The Amateur Play Cup, value £75, for yachts not exceeding seventyfive tons, belonging to members of a Royal Yacht Club; the Town Plate, for yachts not exceeding forty-five tons; The Members' Plate, for yachts not exceeding twenty-six tons; the Ladies' Plate, for all boats not exceeding fifteen tons; and a Cup, for boats not exceeding ten tons. Southampton, July 20th. The Southampton Yacht Club Regatta, which took place on the 2nd of July, went off well. The Silver Cup, value £30, was not sailed for, owing to the required number of vessels not being entered, and it is handed over as the first prize at the next Regatta, which will come off on the 14th of August. The Second Class Cup was won by the Zadora, thirty-one tons, Charles Bromley, Esq.; and the Third Class Cup by the Mazeppa, thirteen tons, also Charles Bromley, Esq. THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF HORSE AND CHARIOT-RACING, AND OTHER GAMES, AT PAYERNE, IN SWITZERLAND, BY AN ENGLISH TURFITE IN ITALY. "Panem et circenses!!" It was on the 25th of May that I accompanied three friends on an excursion from Vevay to Payerne, where, on the morrow, the grand annual festival was to be solemnized with horse-racing, chariotdriving, and other exhibitions worthy of the arena of ancient Olympia. A precipitous mountain springs from the shores of the crystal Leman, along which are flung the white houses of Vevay, and, Titianlike, arises to his loftiest altitude more than a league further, in the romantic village of St. Saphorin, revealing the finest view in Switzerland, described by St. Preux as "ce paysage unique-le plus beau dont l'œil humain fut jamais frappé, ce sejour charmant auquel je n'avais rien trouvé d'égal dans le tour du monde." Nor were my raptures more subdued than St. Preux, nor my enthusiasm less ardent or intense, as I leapt from the carriage, and, permitting the voiturier and my companions to creep up the mountain at their leisure, gazed on the fairy-land around me with aching eyes, and admiration too fervent not to be painful. I have pierced the wildest recesses, and traversed the most terrific passes of Helvetia's mountains, but never, never has mine eyesight been entranced with such a concentration of all that is mightiest and loveliest in the mirror of creation, as the landscape around Vevay, which, teeming with the richest variety, contrasts the wild with the beautiful, harmonizes the savage with the sunny, and blends the soft with the sublime. The day, oh, how gloriously magnificent! The earth refreshed by the rain that fell heavily last night-the gladsome earth arrayed in the green robes of verdure and fruitfulness-skies without a cloudwaters slumbering without a zephyr's breath to fan a ripple into motion, and swathed in the radiance of the bright and golden sunbeams. At my feet sleep the gardens, tall poplars, and white houses of Vevay; behind that green patch of trees and orchards in which reposes Cheminin, arise the spires of St. Martin, where the ashes of the regicides are at peace! Vineyards, intersected here and there by a chateau, or a park-like domain of meadows, engirt by fruit-trees, run down to the Lake of Beauty-the lake which, clear as a mirror, as a mirror reflects in the unfathomable depth of waters the mountains crowned with eternal snows, revealing each and every tint that can exist-existing in the pine forests, black rocks, grey pinnacles of granite, patches of green pasturage, and magnificent ravines, which are cast in wild but in sublime disorder, as mantles over these gigantic pinnacles of eternity. Reposing beneath the wood-fringed heights, arise out of the waters the white walls of Chillon ! "Chillon! whose prison is a holy place, And the sad floor an altar-for't was trod, In that ravine, amidst coppices of young oak and ash, is nested Clarens-Clarens, sanctified by the divine inspirations of Rousseau. Beyond Clarens and Chillon, glitters in the sunshine the tall light steeple of Villeneuve. A little further, the valley of the Rhone, winding through the snow-clad Alps until lost in the immensity of distance. Mark that vividly blue line, cleaving a swift and marked path through the blue, but less vividly blue, waters of the lake! It is the young Rhone, bounding forth from his rocky bed like a vigorous bridegroom, and disdaining to mingle even with the waters of the Lake of Beauty. On the opposite shores, under a canopy of cliffs, stands St. Gingoulph: yet further, and the rocks of Meillerie,-so nearly fatal to St. Preux and Julie, and to our Byron,—the rocks of Meillerie are before us. The imagination is dazzled, and all attempts at description baffled! The eyesight wanders over a mirror of waters, girt in by the Jura, the mountains of Savoy, and the Alps, enthroned in snows eternal: and around and before us are intermingled cities and vineyards, mountains and plains, crags and cataracts, rocks and forests—a landscape of glories varied and innumerable! Frenzied with delight, and intoxicated with enthusiasm, I neither retorted the jests nor regarded the reproaches with which my friends overwhelmed me for having made them tarry so long by the way-side, but abandoned myself to the full excitement of passionate and fervent dreams of the wild and the sublime, to which the revelation of that superb panorama had given birth. A terrific jolting over the pavé of a town that threatened the instantaneous dismemberment of every spring and integral part of our frail vehicle, and the dislocation of every joint and bone in our mortal frames, aroused me effectually from my reverie, and the shouts of our voiturier cheering onwards his wearied steeds, and the perpetual reverberation, and crack, crack, crack of his whip, as he swung the mighty thong in reiterated circles around his head, would have aroused the seven sleepers from their entrancement. On, on we bumped and rattled, and in another moment our Jehu wound up his triumphant career with prodigious effect, by casting his sorry cattle back upon their haunches, and his passengers forward upon their faces, to the indescribable delight of a motley crowd of gaping beholders, who had clustered around Le Grand Hotel de L'Ours, at Payerne. Judge of our dismay at the appalling intelligence, that not a bed nor a room was attainable, but that each and every hole and corner had been secured, for weeks past, for the members of the Jockey Club. We traversed the street, and applied for admittance at the Hotel de Ville, which was also crowded to overflowing; but by dint of many promises and liberal offers, "and, to gold, men and manners in |