A few years since a hare was suddenly started at Finchingfield, in Essex, when the brace of greyhounds running at her came into contact with so much velocity, that both were killed on the spot. At Offham, in Sussex, a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a chalk-pit, and following themselves, were all found dead at the bottom. The high spirit, persevering speed, and invincible ardour, of the greyhound, not being universally known, (at least to those who have either few or no opportunities to partake of the sport,) it may not be inapplicable to introduce a singular circumstance which occurred in 1792. As Lord Egremont's game-keeper was leading a brace of greyhounds coupled together, a hare accidentally crossing the road, the dogs instantly broke from their conductor, and gave chase, fastened as they were to each other: the pursuit afforded an uncommon and no less entertaining sight to several spectators. When the hare was turned, she had a manifest advantage, and embarrassed the dogs exceedingly in changing their direction; notwithstanding which, she was at length killed at Pikeless Gate, after a course of between three and four miles. In 1796 a similar occurrence took place in Scotland, where a brace of greyhounds, in couples, killed a hare after a course of a mile with intervening obstructions.

Endeavours having been made to acquire some degree of information upon the subject of comparative speed between a greyhound and a RACE-HORSE of superior powers and celebrity, it was at length brought to a decision by absolute matter of chance. It having been previously submitted to the opinion of an experienced sportsman, which would prove to possess the greater portion of speed for a mile, or for a longer or shorter distance, he returned for answer, that, upon a flat, he had no doubt but a first rate horse would prove superior to the greyhound; unless in a hilly country, where he conceived a good greyhound would have the advantage. The information not to be acquired by any direct mode, was brought to trial by an incident which occurred upon the Course of Doncaster in 1800, and was precisely thus.

A match was to have been run between a horse and a mare for one hundred guineas. At the time appointed, the former not appearing, the mare started alone, to insure the STAKES; when, after having ran little more than a mile, a greyhound bitch (to the great admiration and entertainment of the company) took to her from the side of the Course, and continued racing with her the other three miles, keeping her regular line nearly head and head, which produced a most excellent match; for when they reached the DISTANCE POST, five to four was betted upon the greyhound; when they came abreast of the stand, it was even betting; and the mare won by only a head.

The speed of the fleetest and highest bred FOX HOUNDS, was brought to public proof in the well-known match made between Mr. Meynell and Mr. Barry, for 500 guineas a side, and decided over Newmarket in the month of September of the year in which it was run. The hounds of Mr. Barry's (called Bluecap and Wanton) were put in training on the first of August with the famous Will. Crane. Their food consisted only of oatmeal, milk, and sheep's trotters. The ground was fixed on at the time of making the match; and upon the thirtieth of September the drag was taken from the Rubbing-house at Newmarket Town end, to the Rubbing-house at the starting-post of the Beacon Course: the four hounds were then laid on the scent: at the conclusion, Mr. Barry's Bluecap came in first; Wanton (very close to Bluecap) second. Mr. Meynell's Richmond was beat more than a hundred yards; and the bitch never ran in at all. The length of the drag was between eight and ten miles; the time it was crossed in was some seconds over eight minutes. Some tolerable idea, in this instance, may be formed of the SPEED, when there were SIXTY horses started fairly with the hounds, and only twelve were up. Cooper, Mr. Barry's huntsman, was the first; but the mare that carried him was rode blind in the exertion. Will. Crane, who rode Rib, (a King's Plate horse,) was the last of the twelve who came up. The current odds at starting were seven to four in favour of Mr. Meynell, whose hounds were reported to have been fed upon legs of mutton during the time they were in training.

Merkin, a famous bitch, bred by Colonel Thornton, was considered far superior in speed to any fox-hound of her time: she was challenged to run any hound of her year five miles over Newmarket, giving 220 yards, for 10,000 guineas; or to give Madcap 100 yards, and run the same distance for 5000. She ran a trial of four miles, and crossed the ground in seven minutes and half a second. Merkin was sold, in 1795, for four hogsheads of claret, and the seller to have two couple of her whelps.

Madcap, at two years old, challenged all England for 500 guineas. Lounger, brother to Madcap, did the same at four years old: the challenge was accepted, and a bet made to run Mr. Meynell's Pillager for 200 guineas. The parties were also allowed by Colonel Thornton to start any other hound of Mr. Meynell's, and Lounger was to beat both; but, upon his being seen at Tattersal's by many of the best judges, his bone, shape, and make, were thought so superior to any opponent that could be brought against him, Colonel Thornton consented to accept a pair of gold dog-couples as a forfeit to the bet.

SPLENT

—is the term given to an ossified prominence when it appears upon the shank-bone of a horse's fore-leg: they are frequently seen upon the legs of young horses, and are sometimes known to disappear without any application whatever. If they do not make their appearance during the fourth or fifth year, they are seldom seen after that time, unless occasioned by blow, bruise, or accident. They are very rarely productive of lameness or inconvenience, unless they curve towards the back sinews, and vibrate in action. Various are the means too hastily and too rashly brought into use for their extirpation, and many times without the least necessity; for when they are not attended with pain or inconvenience, it must be more prudent to let them remain in a state of dormant inactivity, than rouse them into painful action. If some mode must be inevitably adopted, a spirituous saturnine solvent is the most safe and efficacious application.

SPORTSMAN

—is the appellation, for time immemorial, annexed to any man whose partiality to the SPORTS of the FIELD are universally known: they are evidently marked out for him by the dispensing and benign hand of Providence, for the promotion of health, and the gratification of pleasure, of which, enjoyed with moderation and rationality, he is never ashamed. The name of SPORTSMAN has ever been considered concisely characteristic of strict honour, true courage, unbounded hospitality, and the most unsullied integrity. However the character may have been broken in upon by time, or mutilated by the innovations of fashion, caprice, or folly, the original stock was derived solely from the blood of the true old English country Esquire; who, uncontaminated by the curse of insatiate ambition, is only happy himself in the happiness of his domestic dependents, the corresponding smiles of his tenants who surround his mansion, and an hospitable association with his numerous friends.