J. Welfit (Loiterer); commended, Mr. Barker (Sampson), Mr. Ellerby (Ashdale), Mr. J. Wheeler (Master of Arts).

Without condition as to weight, and not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches high.-First prize, £40, Major Quentin, Woodleigh, Cheltenham (Coxcomb); second, £20, Mr. F. Barker, Ingatestone, Essex (Bird on the Wing); commended, Mr. Brown (Tiny Tim), and Mr. Wright (Pilot).

Four years old. First prize, £50, Mr. T. Sutton, Middleton One Row, Darlington (Comrade); second, £25, Mr. J. Booth, Killerby, Yorkshire (Borderer); commended, Mr. E. Paddison ch. g., and Mr. J. Grout (Ace of Clubs).

RIDING HORSES.

JUDGES.-Colonel Maude, Mr. J. J. Baillie, and Captain Whitmore.

Fine action and breed, exceeding 15 hands 2 inches high.-First prize, £20, Captain G. Cookes, London (Sobraon); second, £10, Lord Rosslyn, Dunmow, Essex (Angela); third, £5, Mr. H. Spencer Lucy (Twilight).

COVER HACKS AND ROADSTERS.

Weight carriers not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches.-First prize, £15, Mr. H. Frisby, St. James' Place (Daisy); second, £10, Mr. J. Savory, Norwich (Old Tom); third, £5, Mr. F. Barker (Bird on the Wing).

PARK HACKS AND LADIES' HORSES.

Not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches high.-First prize, £20, Major Quentin (Coxcomb); second, £10, Mr. R. Beart, Raynham, Norfolk (Master Stiggins); third, £5, Mr. T. Cook, Winchcombe (Beauty).

STALLIONS.

Thoroughbred.-Prize, £50 and medal, Mr. B. J. Angell, Lubbenham, Leicester

(Alcibiades).

Half-bred, not less than 15 hands high, for getting trotters.-First prize, £30 and medal, Mr. B. Mitchell, Downham Market, Norfolk (Fireaway); second, £15, Mr. W. Flanders. Mildenhall (Quicksilver).

Of any breed.-Prize, £15 and medal, Mr. H. Roundell, Otley (Sir George). Not exceeding 13 hands 3 inches, for getting ponies.-Prize, £10 and Agricultural Hall Medal, Mr. J. A. Ransome, Ipswich.

Prize of £10 for any animal of extraordinary merit, not qualified to compete in any of the sixteen classes, Mr. H. W. Peek, Wimbledon (Selim)."

HARNESS HORSES.

Not exceeding 14 hands 2 inches, in single harness.-First prize, £15, Mr. H. Frisby (Dunstan); second, £10, Mr. Grout (The Colonel); third, £5, Mr. Gaunt (Rocket).

Not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches.-First prize, £15, Mr. H. Frisby. St. James's Place (Daisy); second, £10, Mr. H. Farquhar, Lowndes Square (Blackstrap); commended, Mr. P. G. Sechiavi, Craven Hill (King George).

PARK HACKS AND LADIES' HORSES.

Not exceeding 15 hands 1 inch.-First prize, £20, Mr. H. Frisby (Dainty); second, £10, Major Quentin (Burnt Sienna); third, £5, Mr. G. Gurnell (Quick step).

PARK COBS.

High steppers, not exceeding 14 hands 2 inches. First prize, £20, Mr. F. Cooper, Piccadilly (Primrose); second, £10, the Duke of Wellington (Skewbald); third, £5, Mr. C. Gates (Princess).

PONIES.

Not exceeding 13 hands 3 inches, in single harness.-First prize, £15, Mr. W. King, Leighton (Tommy); second, £8, Mr. F. Haines, Oxford Road (Multum in Parvo); third, £5, Lord Cardross (Dun).

THE ISLINGTON MOUNTEBANKS.

The general arrangements were much the same as usual; but we must notice the introduction of a water-jump just in the centre of the arena, which necessitated the judges working either at one end or other of the tan, thus being at an unfair distance from one-half of the

occupants of the reserved seats. Now for the jumping itself. you seen the leaping at Islington?" inquired a friend.

"Have

"No."

Then by all means do so; you will never forget it!" Accordingly we went, and first saw the ponies jump, which was all very well, as it was good fun for the boys who rode them, though we are sorry to say one poor little fellow got a severe rick in the back from his pony "bucking" the gorse, which was as high as himself. Two of them had a shy at the water-jump, and got over very well, going at it like lions, which, by the way, goes to prove, if dwarfs are sharper than giants, as is generally held to be the case in the human race, the reverse holds good with horses; for the big ones for the most part did not see it, and either declined, or jumped most unwillingly. They thus showed themselves to be much wiser than their owners and riders. When the horses came in the scene of uproar and confusion was beyond all description, some riding one way at a fence, some another, at one and the same time, hacks, hunters, and cobs of low degree being mixed up in one confused mass. The secretary mounted a hack, and "tittupped about in the mélée, gesticulating and imploring them to keep order, but all to no purpose. He was wise in his generation; for it was exceedingly warm for what Dickey Boggledike termed "the fut people" -and the poor fellows who repaired damages and kept the tan raked were in a position that receiving cavalry in square would be a fool to. One of them was so near jumped upon that the horse's head knocked off his hat, and he only saved himself by scuttling away in the most ludicrous fashion. Then the riding was a sight to witness. Few men, except the very élite of our amateurs, escape making themselves ridiculous when they get up in public, either for racing or steeplechasing; but here, where the oi polloi attempted to "witch the world with noble horsemanship," the effect beggared description. they but see themselves as others see them, many a man would decline playing the clown on horseback. One gentleman managed to get thrown over into the arms of the crowd, who kindly and considerately threw him up into his saddle again, amidst roars of laughter. Another came down and laid gasping like a flat fish, whilst his horse deliberately trotted along his back, luckily without injury. Then there was great splashing into the water-jump by those who condescended to try it, which was a small minority, however. One or two got pretty well over; but with them negociating Mr. Sidney's puddle would be held by hunting-men to be but a poor passport to safety over a country; in fact, a couple of little ponies, as we said above, did it as well as anything. No wonder such crowds are attracted, for it is the most ridiculous and laughable exhibition in London, and surpasses all that Leech ever conceived of fools on horseback. One or two will be killed some day; but as no one with any sense would trust himself in such a situation, perhaps the mourning won't be very great when it happens. -The Sporting Gazette.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE HORSE SHOW.

Could

On June 10th Dr. Lankester held an inquest at the Angel, Islington, on the body of Mr. Francis Barker, aged fifty-five, horse-dealer, of Westlands, Ingatestone, who fell with his horse while riding round the

The

Mr.

ring at the Agricultural Hall, on Monday afternoon, and died on Wednesday night. Mr. Barker's son said that his father was riding Forester, the property of Mr. Skinner, to show it for sale. witness did not know whether the horse was vicious or not. Thomas Mashiter, of Priest's Estate, Romford, said he saw Mr. Barker in the ring on the Monday. The horse kicked out two or three times violently, but he got him to settle down. He walked him round to where the exit door was. The horse wanted to get out of the ring, but deceased would not let him. The horse then reared, fell over backwards, and lay on deceased, completely covering him. If deceased had not been so good a rider he would have fallen off when the horse reared, and would not have been hurt; but as the horse reared he bent with the horse, and kept on his back, so that he was carried over with him. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

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A BAD BUSINESS.

ENGRAVED BY E, HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY H. L. ROLFE.

"So ho! friend Joshua, thou art early to the road this morning. Has the spirit moved thee and thy righteous brethren to act with true honesty, and pull down yonder tide nets that keep the fish from coming up the river?"

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"Surely, friend, not so," answered Joshua firmly, but good humouredly at the same time; "thou canst not expect that our own hands should pull down what our purses established. Thou killest the

fish with spear, line, and coble net; and we with snares and with nets which work by the ebb and the flow of the tide. Each doth what seems to do best in his eyes to secure a share of the blessings which Providence hath bestowed on the river, and that within his own bounds. I prithee seek no quarrel against us, for thou shalt have no wrong at our hand."

"Be assured I will take none at the hand of any man, whether his hat be cocked or broad-brimmed," answered the fisherman."I tell you in fair terms, Joshua Geddes, that you and your partners are using unlawful craft to destroy the fish in the Solway by stake nets and weirs; and that we, who fish fairly, and like men as our fathers did, have daily and yearly less sport and less profit."

Ominous words these; but they have come to have a very different bearing since the time when Red Gauntlet thus pointed the argument. The spear is now held to be amongst the very worst of weapons by those who "fish fairly," and were another Sir Walter to paint us another fisherman's riot he would arrange for an attack on the poach、 ing crew who work silently a-nights with torch and spear.

F