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forcibly reminded us of Joey Grimaldi's celebrated comic song:

Don't I look spruce on my Neddy! In spite of his kicking and prancing! Gee up! Gee Woo! Here we go! But the whole ended in something like a wrangle as to coming in; but on hearing the glad tidings announced, that dinner was on the table, which, to the hungry person supersedes almost every other consideration. left them to settle their differences, amongst themselves or refer them, like the great proprietors of horses of another description, to the members of the Jock-no, I beg pardon, an appeal to the nobs of the Jack-Ass Club! -Maximus in minimis.

We

Upwards of 150 persons sat down to a most splendid dinner; in short, the Hotel was full from the top of the house to the bottom, so anxious were the Men of Kent, and those of London, to celebrate the opening of the Pier, with spirit and good cheer. Upon the cloth being removed, God save the King' was sung with considerable talent by Mr. Smith, a professional singer from London; a number of loyal and patriotic toasts and sentiments were drank with enthusiasm; and the cheers that followed some of the local toasts respecting the Pier, &c. were almost deafening. In the course of the evening, Mr. Brain entertained the company with an original song, written by a Mr. Fyle, "The Pier that weathered the storm," and which was loudly encored in consequence of its allusions to Herne Bay. Mr. Briant, the well-known comic Irish singer also introduced a song of his own writing, full of point and puns about the Pier, and several comical allusions respecting the Balustrades, which belonged to Old London

*

*The above transfer of the BALUSTRADES of the late London Bridge, most certainly in times hereafter will be viewed as a great relic' of that Bridge which not only carried safe over it so many thousands daily; but it will be also remembered as the direct road to industry, honors, and renown, leading to the first commercial city in the world, for enterprize, ability, and integrity. We must observe, that whoever the idea originated with in the first instance, it was a good one; and may ultimately, become a great curiosity and source of attraction when the writer of this paragraph, and also the proposers of the PIER are "gone to that Bourne, from whence no traveller returns!" in order to induce a number of Persons to visit Herne Bay, only as it were to take a peep at the BALUSTRADES OF OLD LONDON BRIDGE. However, we are not led away so strongly as to suppose that the citizens of London will pay so great a veneration to them as the Mahometans considered it their duty once in their lives to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, to do homage to the coffin of Mahomet; but, nevertheless, the above Balustrades may become a very interesting object to the inhabitants of Herne Bay, by the great influx of visitors. We remember, when quite a child, the following verse of part of a song respecting Old London Bridge:

London Bridge is broken down,
Dance o'er my Lady Lea,
London Bridge is broken down,

A gay Lady!

On the conclusion of Mr. Briant's Song, which gave rise to the following impromptu by a gentleman present, it was immediately handed over to us:

Bridge, being transplanted to commence the Pier head at Herne Bay. Several members of the Corporation of Canterbury were present, who warmly professed themselves to be friendly to the undertaking, and who, likewise, gave their promise of support. The company

But

was highly amused by a professional gentleman from London, of the name of King, with two songs, in which he introduced some extraordinary powers of ventriloquism his imitations of the dog and cat quarreling over a bone, were of the most natural description, and produced for him one of the loudest encores we ever remember to have heard. The fire-works, which were let off at eleven o'clock, at the extremity of the Pier, had a very pleasing effect; and not only delighted the inhabitants of Herne Bay, but also the visitors from London, who were accustomed to this species of amusement. The Chairman was so much devoted to harmony and good fellowship, that he never left the chair until day-light peeped into the room; in short, the whole evening was kept up with great sport and harmony, and a number of excellent songs were sung, that would not have disgraced the boards of either of the Royal Theatres. beds were not to be had for Love, at all events, at Herne Bay; No, nor for money either; the Hotel was crowded to excess, so that all accommodation as to resting places were overdone at a very early hour; and not a bed or a sofa were to be had any where in the town of Herne. But those gents. who were deprived from going to roost, kept it up like game cocks of the highest breed, crowing with delight at the numerous jolly fellows that were thus accidentally thrown together, although they were ousted from the comforts of Bedford-shire. But the above circumstances to them, were 'trifles light as air,' and the song, jest, and tale, most amply compensated for the loss of a 'few winks at most, which might, in the course of a few hours, be repaid with interest. Therefore, in the words of the well-known parody, it was thus sung one to another over the enlivening glass :

Go not yet, for now's the time

The "boys" are all bang-up and prime,
Full of spunk-ripe for a lark.

"D-n the expense!" exclaims each spark,
In spirits every one!

But on the rising of the glorious sun, who not only displayed her own beauties, but also that of nature-the ocean-and picturesque scenery of Herne Bay, the company separated

London Bridge is come to HERNE BAY--
By the DIRECTORS sent?
Giving! yes! so the Wise Ones, say-
ANTIQUITY to Kent.

Not so!-assert the MEN of KENT,
A hold-fast to the PIER—

Can money thus be better spent?
'Gainst winds and storms no fear!

Far better still!" those BALUSTRADES!"
Fine remnants of renown:

Great ornament to the Parades

Of HERNE BAY, PIER, and Town.

for an early toddle-some scoured the fields, and others, parts of the town, while a few of the gents. on the look out for their lost companions, went and overhauled the Venus, who, it appeared, had furnished lodgings for a number of gay sparks, who felt themselves so fully contented, and without the least complaint in being admitted in the characters of board-ers for that night only !

At length, the sound of the gun announced the departure of the Venus for the return to London, and

The last boat destined from the Pier! soon arrived with her compliment on board. The salutes were repeated at all the places as before; another pleasant day occurred-a capital dinner was provided by the steward of the Venus for his guests-and over a glass of good wine, we joined in the toast of " Success to the Pier at Herne Bay, and the rising town of St. Augustine!" Several excellent anecdotes well told, passed between a few gentlemen, who never saw each other before, and, perhaps, may never see each other again, and which made TIME, fly as it were! Such are the delights of refined and enlightened conversation; and the recollection of such pleasant moments, are invaluable. Greenwich Hospital, that immense ornament to Old England, appeared sooner than was anticipated by the pleased eyes of the Cocknies-such a monument of natural grandeur must be always gratifying to the "heart that can feel for another"-the Pools were cleared without the slightest difficulty; and the jolly crew of the Venus arrivedsafe and sound at St. Katherine's Dock by six o'clock on Tuesday evening. According to our immortal Bard:

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

but no matter, we were compelled to part with several interesting persons, positively, with regret-yet, unlike Johnny Gilpin, we did not go further than we intended; and found ourselves comfortably seated at home, yes "Sweet Home," enjoying our Twankey before seven o'clock, and relating our adventures, not exactly with the flourishes of a Don Quixotte; but, nevertheless, delighted with our excursion-the opening of the PIER AT HERNE BAY, and to make it more lasting in the tablet of our memory-its being coupled with the passing of the never to be forgotten REFORM BILL.-Dum vivimus vivamus!

THE PEDIGREE OF AN ARABIAN HORSE. Bought in Egypt by an English Nobleman, for the price of 1000 Guineas. [Translated from the original Arabic.] In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate, and Sid Mahomet, the agent of the High God, and of the Ali of God, and the companions of Mahomet, and Jerusalem, by the grace of God, the Author of the creation. This horse, the sire of Rabhamy, equal in power to his son, is of the tribe of Zazzalab,

and descends from the uncle of Lahadah, the sire of Alket-is of a fine figure, and fleet as an ostrich; herewith is his tooth, when a colt, in a bag, with his pedigree, which a Caffre may believe. Among the honors of relationship he reckons Zalwah, the sire of Mahat, who was the sire of Kallak, and the unique Alket, sire of Manasseh, sire of Alsheh, from generation to generation, down from the noble horse, Lahalala. And upon him be green herbage in abundance, and the water of life with an edifice enclosed with walls, a reward from the tribe of Zoab, for the fire of his race; and let a thousand cypresses shade his body from the hyena of the tombs, from the wolf, and the serpents of the plain; within the inclosure a festival shall be kept, and at sunrise thousands shall come, and observers arrive in troops, whilst the tribe exhibits, under a canopy of celestial signs, the saddle, and the name, and the place of the tribe of Bek Altabek, in Mesopotamia, and Kulasla of Lutarek of the inspired tribe of Zoab. Then shall they strike with a loud noise, and ask of Heaven, in solemn prayer, immunity for the tribe from evil, and the demon of languor, from pestilence, from wandering from God, from scabby camels, from scarcity, from perplexed congregations, from the spleen, from the fiery dragon, from commixtion, from beating on the feet, from treading out with the feet, from Heiubnu, or the unknown son of an unknown father, from lameness at birth, from imposthumes, from seclusions, and from fascination, from depression and elevation, from cracks in the feet, from numerous assemblies, from importunate soothsayers, from the offspring of prophets and nocturnal travellers, from diviners of good opportunity for a purpose, from relations and degrees of affinity, and from rash and inordinate riders, deliver this tribe, O Lord, and secure those who are slow to follow and slow to advance, who guard the truth and observe it. - Court Journal.

THE STAG OUT OF HIS ELEMENT. Not long since the attention of the inhabitants of Itchenor was attracted by the appearance of a stag on the opposite shore of the river, which, after taking a survey of this arm of the sea, without ceremony took soil and swam across, a distance of about six hundred yards; he then majestically crossed the park, and made his lair in an adjoining covert. The keen sportsmen of the united parishes in the neighbourhood, had speedy information of this unexpected visitant, and the harriers were collected with speed, and laid on his slot. The animal was soon roused, and broke cover in the most gallant style, and, during a chase of two hours, topped every fence in his way, showed capital sport, when, being pressed by his staunch pursuers, he once more attempted to cross the river at West Wittering, but the tide being ebbed, he got embayed in the mud, from which he was extricated unhurt.

Printed for Thomas Tegg, Cheapside, by John Haddon, Castle Street, Finsbury.

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In future, EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS, will be published in Monthly Parts only, with the Magazines, Price 1s.-N. B. Part VII. will be Published on the 1st of August; Part VIII. on the 1st of September, &c.

PIGEON SHOOTING.

THE PIGEON SHOOTERS' GLEE.

THERE'S no rural sport surpasses
Pigeon shooting, circling glasses,
Fill the chrystal goblet up,
Fill the chrystal goblet up.

No Game Laws can ever thwart us,
Nor qui tams nor Habeas Corpus.
For our license Venus grants,
Let's be grateful; here's a bumper;
In our bounty, here's a bumper.

Listed under beauty's banners,
What's to us freehold or manors?
Fill the chrystal goblet up,
Fill the chrystal goblet up.
No suspense our temper's trying,
Endless sport our trap supplying;
No ill state 'twixt hope and fear-
At magic word our birds appear;
Fill the chrystal goblet up.

Alike all seasons in our favour

O'er vales and hills, no toil or labour.
No alloy our pleasures yield;
No game-keeper e'er employing
Skill'd in art of game destroying,
Free from trouble, void of care,
We set at nought the poacher's snare,
Fill the chrystal goblet up,
No blank days can ever vex us,
No false points can e'er perplex us,
Fill the chrystal goblet up.

Pigeons swift as wind abounding,
Detonating guns resouuding,
See the tow'ring victims fall.
With Apollo science vying,
View the heaps of dead and dying,
Forc'd to pay the debt of nature,
Matters it-or soon or later?

Fill the chrystal goblet up.

UPWARDS of forty years ago PIGEON SHOOTING was in high repute; and from that date up to the present period, it has not lost a jot of its celebrity as a SPORT, in which some of the first rate shots in the kingdom are repeatedly engaged in various matches; nay, on the contrary, it has increased in a very great degree; and, amongst some of our noble DONS in society, PIGEON SHOOTING has become quite a favorite pursuit.

But it would far exceed our limits, were we to attempt to enumerate one half of the crack shots that are to be met with in the Sporting World; therefore, a few of the high sounding names, which we shall quote for our purpose, we trust will be quite sufficient:Lord Kennedy, Captain Ross, Mr. Osbaldeston, Lord Ranelagh, Hon. G. Anson, Mr. Shoubridge, Mr. Gillmore, Mr. Arrowsmith, &c., who have merely to hold up their guns, as it were, when destruction and death follow the sound of their pieces to the feathered tribe: but, added to the judgment and skill which the above sporting heroes possess; also the repeated training they are continually undergoing, or immense practice, cannot fail to render them perfect to bring down a bird, or shoot at a mark; and, if PERFECTION can be obtained in any pursuit, we verily believe, few opponents can be found, except amongst themselves, to compete, with any thing like a chance of winning, with the above truly celebrated PIGEON SHOOTERS! Independently of gamekeepers, whom we should term as professional shots; or, in other words, if the above phrase should prove objectionable to a peculiar class of society-men who have been reared to shoot at GAME and other birds from their cradles!

PIGEON SHOOTING is kept up, not only with great spirit, but splendor; and Gold Cups, Silver Tankards, and other prizes, are shot for continually, in some instances for Two Thousand Sovereigns, One Thousand, down to £10 aside. Also, a great variety of Sweep

* We have consulted Dr. Johnson on the subject, and find that PROFESSION is defined to be "a calling; vocation; known employment." We have also consulted the word professional, and which Dictionary states the meaning to be "relating to a particular calling, or profession;" therefore, we have not strayed much out of the right path; but we have little doubt that even the most fastidious character will pardon us, for using at most, a doubtful phrase, to convey our meaning intelligently; one of those sort of doubtful things described by the facetious George Colman, in his Newcastle Apothecary :

BOLUS arriv'd, and gave a doubtful tap,
Between a single and a DOUBLE rap;
Knocks of his kind

Are giv'n by gentlemen who teach to dance,
By fiddlers and by Opera singers;
One loud, and then a little one behind,
As if the knocker, fell by chance
Out of their fingers.

Therefore, at times, most writers are rather at a loss

to convey their intentions accurately to their readers, without the slightest wish to give offence; however, the term, perhaps, might have been expressed better, namely," professed SHOTS !"

stakes, under the management of Mr. Swaine, the very able and well-conducted proprietor of the Red House, Battersea, and the Enclosure. Indeed, shooting at pigeons is quite a tip-top sort of thing altogether in the Sporting World; and the Swells, who are the principal actors in the scene, are of the very first quality in the fashionable world. We have noticed amongst the visiters the Duke of Richelieu, Lords Sefton, Jersey, and Belfast, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, and several other persons of distinction. A military band may be found here at times to enliven the scene; perhaps furnished on the old adage :

"That music hath charms to soothe "—

and why may not Pigeons be induced to stay a little on the wing, to be delighted with "Meet me by moonlight!"

when we are assured that Nightingales have been so fascinated and overpowered with musical sounds as to have expired with ecstacy; and that even stone walls have exhibited vibration, and been seen to move with a sort of indescribable sympathy at the sweet concords of harmony. Men and women also in the most rude state of civilization and savage parts of the world, without knowing a single note of music, have been seen to dance with their feet and motion their hands on hearing the fiddle or any other musical instrument without any order or system! Then why not Pigeons, it might be asked, feel a sort of inclination at the delightful air and invitation of

"Away, away, to the mountain brow!" and PIGEON SHOOTERS too, by the same sort of feeling and inspiration, bring down their birds, a la Bishop, Barnet, Lee, George Stansburg, &c., with

"Will you, will you, come to the bower ?"

PIGEON SHOOTING, is also followed as an amusement in almost every part of the kingdom; and numerous clubs have been formed in several large towns, although, perhaps, not with the same means of support; but, nevertheless, with equal spirit and ardour, by the Red House Club, the Rifle Club, &c. at Battersea.

However, to show the spirit with which the above sport was followed in 1793, we have made the following extract from the Old Sporting Magazine, in the month of February of the above date, nearly forty years since :

"The great celebrity of this sport, in which some of the first shots in England are so frequently engaged, encourages us to communicate an account of its fashionable influence and increasing prevalence, as a subject applicably entitled to a place in our sporting receptacle.

"Matches coming under this denomination are of two kinds: the first supported by private subscription amongst such gentlemen only as are members of their distinct and separate clubs. Others of an inferior com

plexion by public contribution from candidates of every description, and is generally excited and collected by the landlords of inns, to purchase different pieces of plate of gradational value, for distribution amongst the successful adventurers in such lottery of hope and uncertainty. This practice is exceedingly common in almost every part of the kingdom, but in none so frequently repeated, or so fashionably followed, as in the counties of Bucks, Berks, Hants, and Surrey, where, at this season of the year, it is in perpetual succession at one spot or another. But the most respectable meeting for the eminence and opulence of its members as well as the superior excellence of their shots, is held at the Old Hats, on the Uxbridge Road, near Ealing, at which many gentlemen of the first fortunes constantly attend, and some from so great a distance as Reading and Wokingham, both which furnish a few of the most expert in the circle. Amidst the respectability of this meeting we have observed even a condescending relaxation from the fatigues of official city dignity; and never enjoyed greater festivity, witnessed more exhilarating conviviality, or drank better Claret and Madeira than upon this occasion.

"Having pointed out the two distinct classes who appropriate a portion of their time to this enjoyment, it becomes immediately applicable so to explain the sport, as may render it perfectly easy of comprehension to those who have never had an opportunity to be present at so earnest a struggle for superiority. In direct conformity with propriety, we advert first to the match, as it is generally made and decided, between a given number of gentlemen from different clubs opposed to each other; or members of the same club, when by two tossing up for the first choice they continue to choose in rotation till the party is completely formed, which may be contracted or extended to any number required for the convenience of the company intending to shoot. The match thus made, and the names of the opponents arranged upon paper by the arbiter, the sport begins in the following way :

"Several dozens of pigeons having been provided for the purpose, are disposed in baskets behind the company, there to wait the destructive crisis, the deadly level,' that dooms them to instant death, or gives them liberty. A shallow box of about a foot long, and eight or ten inches wide, is sunk in the ground, parallel with the surface, and just twenty-one yards from the foot mark at which each gunner is bound to take his aim. This box has a sliding lid, to which is affixed a string held by one appointed to that office, who is placed next the person going to shoot, from whom he takes the word of command for drawing the string whenever he is ready to take his aim; another pigeon being so expeditiously placed in the box, for the succeeding shot who stands ready (by the runners

that furnish the pigeons) that ten, twelve, or fifteen dozen of pigeons are deposited in the box, flown and shot at in much less time than it is possible to conceive. The gunner is not permitted to put his gun to his shoulder till the bird is on wing; and the bird must fall within one hundred yards of the box, or is deemed a lost shot. During this rapid succession (one of each side shooting alternately) the arbiter is employed in penciling opposite to each name the success of every individual, by a 1, or, a 0; this, at the end of the match, denotes the superiority, by demonstrating which party has killed most, pigeons at the least number of shots. Exclusive of the general betting upon the match, there is a variety amongst individuals; the shots of some against others, and the field betting of the bird against the gun, as fancy may prompt or the reputation of the gunner dictate. He that kills most pigeons in the match, at an equal number of shots with the rest, is by such pre-eminence the Captain of the day, stands elected chairman for the meeting, and does the offices of the table accordingly.

"Matches of an inferior description are still more numerous, and generally come under the denomination of an help-ale, or makefeast, at the instigation of those industrious liberal landlords who advertize three pieces of plate to be given to the three best shots ;' but at the moment of entering the lists, it becomes a collateral part of the contract, that each adventurer is to contribute his proportion towards the gifts of plate; to pay for his pigeons, and to dine at the ordinary. These matters properly adjusted, the shooting is carried on precisely in the manner before described, with this exception only, that here every individual shoots for himself alone, without any connexion with party. The candidate killing most pigeons, at the least number of shots, becomes entitled to the piece of plate highest in value, and so in proportion; but in so great a number of candidates there is frequently an equality of success; in such cases they are called ties, and are shot off at remaining pigeons till the superiority is ascertained, and the victor proclaimed. This done, the day concludes with the same degree of festivity and superabundance before described, but in a style of inferiority necessarily regulated by the pecuniary sensations of parties concerned. Looking however into its attraction as matter of sport, little or nothing can be said in its favor, when put in competition with the more noble and manly enjoyment of the sports of the field. The liberal mind feels a temporary repugnance at the idea of first confining, and then liberating from that confinement, hundreds of domestic animals doomed to instant death, with a very slender probability of life in their favor, when a moderate shot will bring down fourteen or fifteen, and some nineteen out of twenty. This picture affords but an indifferent idea of the sportsman's humanity who indulges

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