The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-20 00:00:00

A RACING CHARACTER.

Amongst the many odd vehicles which before the era
of railways used to be seen at Doncaster during the race
week, none attracted more attention than the unique get-
out of Mr. James Hurst, of Ravrcliffe, whose singular
eccentricities made him " the observed of all observers."
Ho was a very regular attendant at the Doncaster Races,
and was for many year; one of the chief notabilities of
the meeting. He avowed great hostility to all Govern-
ment measures as far as regarded the levying of imposts,
and by every ingenious method which he could devise
avoided the payment of direct and indirect taxes. He
had a kind of drag constructed with four light wheels of
equal size, of very rude workmanship. The body of the
vehicle was composed of hazel sticks platted and secured
by a cord; it had a head about the height of phaeton,
which was covered with common check bed furniture.
He had a curtain of similar materials, which shaded his
face from the sun. His man servant used to sit on the
bottom of the carriage, which was drawn by one horse.
He wore a lambskin coat and hat, and a pair of plaid
trousers. His shoes were of a very curious workman-
ship, the soles being made of cork, an inch thick, and
shed with iron. At one time, is order to avoid paying
the taxes upon horses, he drove two mules, and was
accasioually accompanied by a wolf, secured under the
carriage by a chain. At other times ho was attended
by a fox. He also possessed a learned pig, which he
had taught to find game, and stand whilst he shot. In
these sporting excursions he was accompanied by a boy,
on a mastiff dog, carrying a game bag. For several
seasons he hunted with the Badsworth hounds, riding a
bull, which rho had taught to carry him. For many
years he bad a coffin in his house, which was fitted up
and used as a cupboard, and in which he was interred
at his death, according to his desire.—Doncaster
Chronicle.

ST. JAMES'S POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION, ST.
MARTIN'S-LANE.—Yesterday evening Mr. Thomas Ince, the
treasurer of this society, read a paper on " The Characteris-
tics of the German Language." In the dissuasion which
ensued some very interesting facts were elicited as to the
connexion of one language with another, and their relations
to each other; and which proved that the literary attain-
ments of the members were of no common order. This so-
ciety has been in existence only a short time—we wish it
had been longer, for it is based on the mutual improvement
principle ; and having for its president a gentleman of vast
research on most of the philosophical topics which come
under the head of general literature, we are convinced that
their Friday evening meetings, should they fail to be very
amusing, will, at all events, be highly instructive.
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THU FRUIT CROPS.—The crops of wall fruit have
generally failed this season, it is supposed from the early
blossom being exposed to blight. Mr. Ewing, of Bodorgan,
has for some time had under contemplation the introduction
of glass walls, by which this inconvenience may hereafter
be saved. Glass being so cheap, and our climate so uncer-
tain, there can be little doubt that the project will be exten-
sivelY encouraged.—North Intles Chronicle.