The Sun.
London, England, 1834-08-19 00:00:00

THE SCOTTISH WOODS OF THE BYE-GONE

DAY.

The ancient Caledonian forest is a subject of deep and
just regret in many ways. Nothing appears more inex-
plicable in the eyes of the vulgar than that the barren
heights which have long excited a sneer from Dr. Johnson,
and other southern travellers, should have ever been clothed
in thick woods of our native timber ; and the naturalist and
lover of hoar antiquity is content to pamper his imagina-
tion with the scanty accounts transmitted us of those dis-
tant times, when the bear, wolf, and wild boar roamed in
savage freedom through the great Scottish forest, while
herds of wild cattle and deer browsed upon its skirts, the
capercailzie and the eagle keeping away amid the stately
oaks and fir-trees ! That the whole of that elevated range
of country, extending in a semicircular sweep from Stirling
to the extremity of the eastern limit of the parish of Fal-
kirk, was at one period covered with wood, appears more
than probable even from its present aspect ; the famous
Torwood, and that of Callendar at Falkirk, are the evident
remains of this very extensive forest. The royal forest of
D undaff,
e. hill of heifers or deer) must have covered
the high lands, called still the lands of Dundaff ; the royal
forest of Stirling undoubtedly covering the rising grounds
to the south of that town, while the extensive mosses in
this part of the shire render it probable that even the low-
lands were once covered with trees. It seems to have
been the policy of our forefathers, as it is now the custom
in America, to root out and remove these woods so as to
fit the ground for pasture or the plough. Besides the demo-
lition of the Caledonian forest, of which Xiphilinus speaks,
and which had its site here, there is every reason to
believe that the natives, from economical views, joined in
after-ages in stripping the country of its wood. Of this
a striking evidence is afforded by the trunks of large trees
still dug out of the neighbouring mosses, and sold in the
markets for match-wood, which have often the mark of the
hatchet or axe.—Sporting Magazine.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL' S.

Another flat day, all the engagements (and very few were
entered into) being confined to three horses—Plenipotentiary, She-
.lalah, and Bran. The former is reported to have left Brocklesby
for Pigburn, where the late Lord Fitzwilliam's horses were trained ;
the change is attributed to the water at Brocklesby not having
agreed with him ; offers were made to take 7 to 4 about him yester-
day, but nothing above 6to 4 was offered. Shelalah was most spe-
culated on, the closing offers, 6 to 1, being taken to some amount
by one of his old backers. Bran, quoted last week at 12 to 1, rose
to 8 to 1, a price more in accordance with his performance : the
other prices are nominal-
-6 to 4 agst Mr. Batson's Plenipotentiary
6 to 1 agst Duke of Cleveland's Shelalah (taken).
7 to 1 agst Mr. Heseltine's Warlaby Baylock
8 to 1 agst Lord Sligo's Bran
16 to l agt Sir J. Boswell's General Chasse
16 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Touchstone
No others mentioned.

Egham Races take place on Tuesday next and two following
days ; excellent, sport is expected.

ASCOT HEATH RACES, 1837.

TUESDAY.—The Buckhurst Dinner Stakes of 200 sovs. each, h ft.,
for 3-yrs.-old.
Lord Lichfield's Cassandra, by Priam—Zillah, 7st. 131 b.
Lord Lichfield's Cartoon, by Priam—Sister to Robert, Bst. 21b.
Lord Tavistock's c. by Sultan—Leeway, Bst. 41b.
Mr. Grevilles c. by Priam—Sycorax, Bst. 41b.
Mr. Thornhill's c. by Emilius—Bee-in-a-Bonnet, Bst. 41b.
Colonel Peel's ch. f. by Bedlamite:--Gaicia, Bst. 41b.
Mr. Kent's c. by Emilius—Victoire, Bst. 41b.
Lord Chesteifield's c. by Priam—Octaviana, Bst. 41b.
Lord Exeter's c. by Sultan—Augusta, Bst. 41b.
Lord Exeter's c. by Sultan—Miss Cantley, Bst. 41b.
Mr. Ridsdale's f. by Priam—Lillian, 7st. 131 b.

NEWMARKET JULY MEETING, 1836.
MONDAY.-Sweepstakes of 100 sots. each, h. ft., for 2-yrs.-old.
Duke of Grafton's c. by Sultan—Prudence
Lord Orford's f. by Jerry—Stays.
Mr. Spalding's f. by Jerry—Lady Easby.

NEWMARKET FIRST OCTOBER MEETING,

1836

TuEsnAr.—Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for the produce
of mares covered in 1833 by Augustus.
Lord Tavistock's c.—Mona ; Mr. Greville's c.—Girouette ; Mr.
W. Edwards's f.—Princess Victoria.