robbed him of his child is finely given, and evokes a tempest of applause and repeated risings of the curtain, recalling to the memories of old playgoers a celebrated Adelphi curse of some years ago. Certainly the whilom unlucky Shaftesbury has found something like a gold mine in The Middleman.

A plentiful crop, we regret to say. Yet another Failures. "variety actress from the States has wooed our suffrages, fretting her little hour; and then "serious indisposition " necessitated the closing of the theatre. A clever author and actor gave us in The Gold Craze a play not intrinsically bad, but so overladen with dialogue and dissertation that the audience rose in their wrath against it. Next a courageous gentleman, Mr. George Turner, sought to turn the luck of the illfated Novelty Theatre, with A Story of the American Rebellion, which lived, we believe, three nights. Probably there were other failures, if so

66

-Let them rest in the shade,

Where cold and unhonoured their relics are laid."

We do not care to burden the Van with parcels of disappointments. It is sufficient to forward news of successful adventures -.e., of the enterprises which give pleasure to those who partake of, and bring in profit to those who furnish out, the feast. Misfortune does not need a chronicler for every bit of ill news has wings of its own.

Mr. Philipson, M.I.M.E., has reprinted his inChoosing a Carriage. teresting essay on what is practically a hint to carriage purchasers (Reid, Newcastle-on-Tyne), which was read before the Institute of British Carriage Builders in August, and we are able to give more notice to it, although we referred in September, page 208, to what the institute had done. Space cannot afford us a lengthened review, but this excerpt may be taken as of golden value: "When the carriage purchaser has a fairly good knowledge of values, the conscientious builder has nothing to fear from such comparisons: he welcomes them. But where ignorance rules they are much to be feared." This has reference to "shoddy carriages," from which may Heaven defend our readers. It is rather curious that Mr. Philipson has to go back to Felton ninetythree years ago, whose work on the subject is so good that we confess we have consulted it ourselves. Some observations on the difference in prime cost of leather, laces, cloth, etc., are worth attention, as they help to explain the serious difference between first and second class work.

In his very interesting report to the Mansion A New Departure in House Committee (Artisans' Official Visit to Paris Carriage Building. Exhibition, 1889), Mr. J. Robertson says on the Carriage Exhibit:-"A startling innovation in fore-carriages is that under a mail coach on Stand No. 109. The front axle and axle-bed are abolished. Each front wheel has a separate axle, cranked outwards and upwards, immediately behind the collar. The upper extremity is finished like an ordinary axle arm, and revolves freely in a corresponding axle-box, fixed vertically to each end of the transom or top bed, and directly over the point of contact of the tyre with the ground. This permits the wheels to

be 'locked' or turned at any angle to the body, without moving from the spot on which they rest, instead of revolving round the perch bolt in the usual way. Transverse iron stays connect the two half-axles, and ensure the wheels locking' simultaneously, following the movement of the pole. Time will prove whether this arrangement is suitable for everyday work. In the Exhibition, the wheels, resting on polished brass plates, turned very freely. It is said that they also do so on an ordinary road, and with the carriage loaded. Should this prove true, the plan has many advantages. It will enable the front wheels to be placed wherever they may appear to advantage, instead of their position being dependent on space for locking'; arches will become unnecessary, and the cost of many bodies be proportionately reduced. Against this must be put the extra cost of an under-carriage of this kind, and the rattle sure to be created by the wear of the jointed transverse stays and both connecting the two half-axles."

For some years now we have gladly hailed what Judex's Analysis. may be called the first flower of the new year, in the little green pamphlet which the well-known and much-respected turf journalist, who writes under the nom de plume of "Judex," issues about this time. The one we have just received is written with its author's usual care, and the deductions are made with the judgment that generally characterises his opinions. He gives chapter and verse for every opinion he offers, and the little pamphlet, really a pocket one, will be invaluable for reference.

Dickinson's.

We always expect to see at this gallery some fresn illustration of our social life. Messrs. Dickinson and Foster may be said to be, by the aid of painter's brush and engraver's steel, in some way the chroniclers of the time. Lawn meets and Coaching meets, Goodwood and Newmarket, Rotten Row and the Doncaster Sale Ring, there are "the living manners as they rise for our descendants (we trust) to admire. We should have thought that the mine had been nearly exhausted, but the enterprising firm is about to seek fresh pastures at Hurlingham, and they have chosen the occasion of a Polo match between two crack teams to show the Pavilion, with the crowd of well-known habitués before it, awaiting the commencement of the game. This is to be one picture. The other will show the opposite side of the ground, where ladies most do congregate, watching a match, say, between those old rivals, the 9th Lancers and the 10th Hussars. This will give the artists their opportunity for depicting many a pretty face and well-known form. The idea has been warmly taken up by military men, and so by next season we shall expect to see a glowing Hurlingham, with all our young braves and beauties, at Dickinson's galleries.

To Gamekeepers and
Hunting Men.

We have received the following from a well-informed correspondent :-"The cry," with gamekeepers and shooting men-when trying to explain the reason why fewer head of game have been killed than was expected-very generally is: "It's all those blessed foxes!" Or if this excuse be not adopted, it will be said, "The hounds ran through the covert the other day." Let me tell you, Mr. Van Driver, that a friend of mine in the eastern counties (who

himself does not hunt) always allows the hounds to draw his coverts before shooting. Last year the hounds drew the covert three times, and this season twice, before they shot it at all. Yet, both last year and this, they not only killed all that they had expected, but even more. I should like to see this example followed by covert owners generally; for some of these, when they are hunting men, will be the first to grumble at not finding. If, however, they do not care to allow the hounds to come into their coverts before shooting, I would venture to suggest that they shoot as early as possible in the season. They will not then delay so long and so much, as is now not unfrequently the case, the pleasure of hunting for the whole country.

At this period of the year many readers of BAILY Societies deserving are, no doubt, considering which of the societies— Support. of which they are members-deserve a renewal of their subscriptions; and which of those, hitherto neglected, may fairly receive a share of their support. We hope that we may be allowed to call attention to the good work (which would be better, did the funds allow of it) which has been done, for some time past, by the Field Sports Protection and Encouragement Association, and by the Keepers' Benefit Society. Both of these have their offices at 4, Carlton Street, Waterloo Place, London, W. The secretary of both is Mr. G. Arthur Battcock, who will gladly furnish all particulars as to the rules and the lists of members, and give any information that may be desired, upon application to him at the foregoing address.

"The Live Stock

Almanack.'

This is issued by Vinton, 9, New Bridge Street, Ludgate Circus, at 1s.; but handsomely bound copies may be had from the office for 2s. 6d. each, post free. Besides the usual information about the coming year, this publication has fifty special papers, all from writers of indisputable authority on the themes they treat of. Among the long list are included the names of the Marquis of Huntly, Earl Cathcart, Mr. Burdett-Coutts, M.P., Mr. Walter Gilbey, and a host of other contributors, who are not less competent to deal with their own subjects, though they may not have the same advantages of position. A better supplement to the volumes of BAILY for 1889 cannot well be had than "The Live Stock Almanack for 1890."

We are reminded, as we stow away our last parcels, A Retrospect and a that this time twelvemonth, almost to the day New Year's Greeting. and hour, we were ushering in BAILY under its new proprietorship to the notice of the public, saying a few words about the past, and making promises, which we trust our readers will think have been fulfilled, as to the future. On the threshold of the New Year it may be permitted perhaps to the present writer, who has now for close upon a quarter of a century driven the Van, to congratulate the proprietors upon the steady rise in public favour of the magazine. That it will continue we have little doubt. The new blood introduced into these pages has crossed well with the old; the alterations have been generally approved of. And so, with the warmest of good wishes to all good BAILY men and women, we lay down our pen. Valete et plaudite.

Reviews of Books.

Sporting Anecdotes. By Ellengowan. This volume will find a place in many a sportsman's library. There are about three hundred anecdotes, and although some of them are old stock tales of the sporting raconteur, there are plenty that have not previously come under our notice. Considerable research is manifest in the compilation of this work, dealing as it does with racing, cock-fighting, hunting, shooting, etc. It is published by Hamilton, Adams and Co., London, and the price is 5s.

A Nasty Cropper, by G. F. Underhill, is hardly so sporting a novel as the title and cover would lead one to imagine. It is, in fact, a love story with the usual incidents. The tale is calculated to help to pass away a tedious railway journey, for which object it was evidently written. It is published by Trischler and Co., 18, New Bridge Street, E.C.

East Africa and its Big Game. By Capt. Sir John C. Willoughby, Bart. Though the author has been somewhat remiss in withholding the publication of his book for so long-as it is three years since he undertook his sporting expedition in East Africa-the public will still be satisfied with it on account of the style of the narrative. It is written with a sportsmanlike and truthful ring. The difficulties of the up-country journey are not exaggerated, nor are the hairbreadth escapes padded up to thrilling episodes. Anyone who has read and enjoyed Mr. Thomson's book "Through Masailand" can add to their knowledge of that country by perusing the tale of Sir John Willoughby's wanderings. The author was accompanied by Sir Robert Harvey, his brother Mr. C. B. Harvey, and Mr. H. C. V. Hunter; and these gentleman engaged the tried leader, Martin, a Maltese, who was so successful in the conduct of Mr. Thomson's explorations. To those who are fond of travel and exploration the account under notice will be found abounding in interest, as although the author was only in Africa six months, he covered a great deal of ground, and evidently, from his descriptions, took careful note of the country. To those whose fancies lean towards sport no apology for the book is needed, as a bag was made of about 350 head. These consisted of 66 rhinoceros, 40 Granti, 39 hartebeest, 39 Mpallah, 21 buffalo, with smaller numbers of elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippopotami, &c., so the record is varied enough to suit the most exacting home-bound sportsman and reader of big game shoots. Detailed descriptions of the different tribes inhabiting this portion of Africa are given. Constant allusions are made to their partiality for "pombe," an intoxicating native brew. Their craving for this strong drink is a source of trouble to managers of caravans. interesting letter of Sir Robert Harvey's, on a later expedition, is printed at the end of the work, and the tale of how a native chief was induced to take pepper, believing it was snuff, is humorously told. The chief returned, presumably after a fit of sneezing, to say

An

"the snuff was rotten, and he did not like it." The illustrations throughout the work are excellent, and reflect great credit on both the author and publishers. Sir John Willoughby prefaces his book by stating that it is his first literary effort, and that he distrusts his powers as a scribe. He has, however, produced a book better written than many that are more pretentious, and we must acknowledge him almost as good a writer as he is a sportsman, which is no mean praise. The book is published by Longmans, Green, and Co., 39, Paternoster Row, London, and the price is 21s.

The Habits of the Salmon. By Major Treharne. All salmon anglers who study the habits of their prey will welcome this little readable volume as a valuable addition to their library. It is the work of an experienced fisherman, of one who has evidently devoted much study and thought to the subject about which he is writing. The contents comprise chapters on all subjects affecting the salmo salar. Perhaps the most interesting chapter is that which treats on the temperature as affecting the habits and feeding of the fish; for it is an undeniable fact that temperature goes a long way towards bringing about good or bad results in a day's sport. A chapter is devoted to the salmon disease. We do not think that the writer has added anything on this subject which has not been discussed before, and what he says is more from a practical than a scientific point of view. Hence, perhaps, it is more interesting and capable of apprehension.

Hindu-Koh. By Major-General Donald MacIntyre, V.C. The title of this work seems somewhat far-fetched; but the author explains the difficulty he experienced in selecting a name. So many books have appeared with a "Himalayan" cognomen, that he decided on the above title, which is an old and little known designation for the Himalayas, and means Hindoo mountain. The theme of the work is sport, and its object is to assist any future visitors to the same district. Major-General MacIntyre began shooting in the Himalayas in 1853, at a time when no railways existed in Upper India. He gives the minutest details of his sporting excursions, with extracts from his diary, which he kept regularly for thirty years. He began shooting with muzzle-loaders, and the enormous amount of game killed would have been much increased had he possessed the modern breechloaders, as time after time he quotes, "Before I could load again, etc.," something tempting in the shape of a tiger, bear, or stag, startled by the report, showed itself and disappeared. The work is interesting from a purely sporting point of view. It is one mass of actual and reliable facts, never dull, but never enthralling. Had it been written in a lighter strain it might have appealed to a larger class. The old muzzle-loader principally accounted for ibex, bear, antelope, tiger, leopard, and gazelle, and of the best specimens excellent illustrations are given. The book is published by Messrs. Blackwood and Sons, London and Edinburgh.