Star.
London, England, 1826-05-04 00:00:00

FIELD SPORTS FOR MAY.

First the shooter's, then the courser's,. and the hare
bunter's field amusements were for a season stayed, and
now the most spirit-stirring of ail sports, must also for
a while cease- No fox-hun:er ought to halloo his pack
after their prey, when village maidens have asserted the
prerogative of Apollo's month, by curtseying at his gate'
with their May-day garland. There are, however, sports-
men to be found, and those who consider themselves
right good ones too, who make it a custom to conclude
the season by killing, or attempting to do so, a May
fox ; they are not aware what mischief may arise from
such an injudicious proceeding. A few words, unldis
to those who will not understand, must sulficiendy
exemplify this.
In clayey countries, where foxes are enable to form
their subterranean abodes, the tubs must be deposited
above ground, (generally at the foot of a tree or at the.
bottom of a bush), and consequently when hunting is
prolonged to an unseasonable period, must. frequently
1411 victims to the hounds. It is true that in such coun-
tries, shelter for the young is sometimes found in the
crevices of a friendly rock ; not so, however, very fre-
quently; the places we have already mentioned being
generally tier cradle of the cubs, maiy of which are
devoured by the hounds *when drawing,:while the
huntsman and his assistants remain, perhaps, in com-
plete ignorance of the sacrifice. Whenever fos-hounds
are taken out for the purpose of hunting, they have
generally a keen appetite ; for they are fed in the early
part of the preceding day, and receive nothing more in
the way of food till after they have performed their
duty in the field. The temptation, therefore, of a morn-
6g's meal, such as the unsheltered and unprotected
cribs offer, is not easily resiited, and such constquently
fall a prey, when otherwise, and in a brief space of
time, they might have afforded that exercise and diver-
sion which is the fox-bunter's " madness of delight."--.
Even in countries abounding with earths, cubs will'
frequently be deposited above ground,.and therefore, in
all eases, fox-hunting in May should always be avoided.
The Oskr will, as soon as the weather becomes sufficiently mild
for the dogs taking the water, afford diversion to those sportsmen
neighbourhoodwho reside in the of lakes, rivers, Ike. where these
animals are to be found. In Devonshire, near Barnstaple, we
believe, this amusement is spiritedly followed.
Young Rooks, during the present month, will spew themselves 4.1
the onside of their nests, and give employment to the cross-bow
and air gun. In many places these birds are kiUed with the fowling.
piece, which however, we are old fashioned enough to deem not
exactly in character with the diversion.
Falconry may be said to have declined ever since the introduction
of the fowling piece, yet it Is not utterly extinct; nor is it perhaps
likely to become so, since there must always be found admirers of
this highly interesting diversion. Of its supporters, Colonel Thorn-
hill, mentioned in our last, is a peculiarly ardent one. The season
as yet is not sufficiently advanced for procuring young hawks, as
these birds (whichilt generally, we believe, a month on their eggs)
are seldom hatched before June. That fierce, beautiful, and useful
hawk, the hobby, breeds in most of the mohntainous intone of the
north of England, and also in the Highlands of Scotland. In the
latter country the falcon and tiercel are to be found, as well as a
variety of the tribe well calculated for the amusement of falconry.
On this month, the hopes of the shooter in a great degree may be
said to depend, particularly in regard to partridges and pheasants.
It is the period when these birds deposit their eggs, and commence
the silent work of incubation. The great or general hatch takes
place in the early part or the middle of June ; and therefore, if the
months of May and June prove dry, plenty of birds may be confi-
dently anticipated ; but if mock rain fall during the period in lugs-
due, a great part of the nasceous progeny will perish, either in the
shell, or immediately on hatching.—Annals of Sporting for May.

A vein of coal has recently been discovered on the
estate of Sir Tacoma* CHAMP/MPS, Bart. near the popu-
lous manufacturing town of Frome.
Lord Gittras received a pair of white gloves at the
Jedburgh Assize, it proving maiden.
Death from intoxication has become frequent among
the low Irish, since the admission of whisky.
By the industry and research of Mr. LEMAN, very
eztraordinary and interesting discoveries have recently been made
is the State Paper Owe. Amongst other valuable papers, an en-
sketrammiabms et lailkits, by Queen ELIZASETII • the prose in the
basidowildig of hue lliaarzerv's Secretary, sod ;he whole of Erse
pastry in the Quires own autograph. Parts of a poetical transla-
tion of Aimee, written by the Qum, has likewise been found.
What is far more important, as it relates to the history of that
• period, nearly all the discontents connected with the events tha
INDIAN NAVAL Forma BILL.—By the Act of the voceuri:ddilu.rrine g the VIII. especially the ilinnes
:err: ligknewisea HbeemanTbrought to light,. putieuhrly
ssd of the late King, for the extension of the East India if... whole
...... case of CATHERINE HAWAII% It is intended to *Oink
Company's Chatter, provision was made for defraying these literary and historical relies to his MAJESTY.
ea the charges and expenses of raising and Maintaining LONDON ORPHAN Asstivu.—The eleventh anniver-
the forces, as well European as native, military, artillery, sari dinnrr of this inestimable charity took place yes-
and marine, on the establishnients in the East Indies ; terday at the City of London Tavern, the Right Hon.
and the Bill now before Parlianient enacts-4, That all the LORD MAYOR in the Chair. After dinner, the,
the charges And expenses of sending out and employing children of the establishment, consisting of upwards I,
in the East Indies the na cal force which bath lately been of two hundred boys and girls, were introduced into I
sent out by his Majesty, upon the representation of the the room, and materially contributed, by their health-1
Court of Directors, ar.d alto all the charges and ex- ful, cleanly, and comfortable appearance, and the quiet
pences of any naval force which may hereafter be sent cheerfulness, and comparatite happiness displayed in
out by his Majesty, upon the representation of the Court their countenances, to heighten the interest which an,
of Directors, for the purpose of being employed in hoc. institution established for such a purpose as this was
Whirs against any of the native powers, shall be borne already so well calculated to awaken in every humane.,
by the Company, as part of their political charges, and breast. As soon as they had retired, the LORD Marra,
the amount thereof paid into the Exchequer. in a forcible address, pointing out the peculiar advan-
Scores ENTAILS.—It appears that previously to the cages of this charity, and urging its powerful claims
Act of 1625, only twenty-four entails had been executed to public support, proposed, 44 Success to the London
in all Scotland. The gradual progress since may Orphan Asylum;" which was received with enthusiasm.
be exhibited by dividing the time which has elapsed Various other toasts, and appeals on behalf of the in-
since 1683, into periods of twenty years, and stating stitu ion, followed; trod the Treasurer, from time to
the number of de..ds which have been recorded during time, read lists of sub,criptions as they were handed
these re,pective periods: to him by each steward respectively, all of which (and
Entails.
Entails. one of them was from Gentlemen of the Jewish per-
F.otnanss to 1706 79 , From 17" to 1765 • 2.3 'suasion) were .41 a very liberal scale. The proceedings
From 1705 to 17'23 125 From 1735 to 1305 560
1,03 to 1924 479 f the es ening were enlivened, as usual; by some excel-
From 1725 to 17.45 1 :11 From
From 1715 to 1765 135 lent singing.