Part 47

February 16th.—The Molesey Handicap of 250 sovs.; two miles. Mr. C. Hibbert’s b. h. Royal Rouge, by Florizel J. II.—Red Enamel, aged, 11st. 5lb. Nightingall 1 Mr. A. Stedall’s Gavel, 5 yrs., 10st. J. Dillon 2 Prince Hatzfeldt’s Cossack Post, aged, 12st. Mr. Hastings 3 10 to 1 agst. Royal Rouge.

February 17th.—The February Maiden Hurdle Race of 250 sovs.; two miles. Mr. Imber’s b. h. Sandboy, by Ravensbury—Sandblast, 6 yrs., 12st. 3lb. J. Hare 1 Mr. George Edwardes’ ch. c. Knight of the Garter, 4 yrs., 10st. 7lb. F. Mason 2 Mr. A. Stedall’s bl. c. Leopold, 4 yrs., 10st. 7lb. J. Dillon 3 5 to 4 on Sandboy.

WARWICK CLUB MEETING.

February 22nd.—The Leamington Grand Annual Handicap Steeplechase of 200 sovs.; three miles. Lord G. Grosvenor’s br. h. Noble Lad, by Noble Chieftain—The Lady, aged, 10st. 12lb. J. Conway 1 Mr. H. Hardy’s b. g. Tom West, aged, 10st. 10lb. H. Murphy 2 Mr. Cotton’s ch. g. Phil May, aged, 12st. 7lb. J. Owens 3 2 to 1 agst. Noble Lad.

HAYDOCK PARK MEETING.

February 24th.—The Great Central Handicap Steeplechase of 200 sovs.; three miles. Mr. John Widger’s b. m. Northern Light IV., by Blairfinde—False Dawn, aged, 11st. 11lb. Owner 1 Sir Peter Walker’s br. g. Royal Drake, aged, 12st. 4lb. J. O’Brien 2 Mr. P. E. Speakman’s bl. g. Buckaway II., aged, 11st. 9lb. A. Newey 3 6 to 4 on Northern Light IV.

SANDOWN PARK MEETING.

March 1st.—The Liverpool Trial Steeplechase of 200 sovs.; about three miles and a half. Mr. J. S. Morrison’s br. g. John M.P., by Britannic—Guiding Star, aged, 11st. W. Taylor 1 Mr. A. Gorham’s ch. g. Wolf’s Folly, aged, 10st. 9lb. T. Fitton 2 Mr. J. W. Philipps’ br. g. Crautacaun, aged, 10st. 9lb. I. Anthony 3 3 to 1 on John M.P.

March 2nd.—The Grand Military Gold Cup of 445 sovs.; three miles. Mr. R. F. Eyre’s ch. g. Royal Blaze, by Royal Capt. L. Exchange—Searchlight, 6 yrs., 12st. Denny 1 Mr. R. C. de Crespigny’s b. g. Prince Tallyrand, Capt. de aged, 12st. Crespigny 2 Capt. C. Cradock’s b. h. Prizeman, 6 yrs., 11st. 9lb. Owner 3 100 to 8 agst. Royal Blaze.

March 3rd.—The Grand Military Handicap Steeplechase of 200 sovs.; two miles and a half. Mr. C. Bewicke’s b. c. Ticket o’ Leave, by Mr. A. Prisoner—Primula, 5 yrs., 10st. 12lb. Fitzgerald 1 Gen. Hamilton’s b. m. Olive, aged, 10st. 11lb. Capt. Stacpoole 2 Capt. L. S. Denny’s b. g. Matchboard, 6 yrs., 11st. 7lb. Owner 3 100 to 8 agst. Ticket o’ Leave.

The United Service Steeplechase of 150 sovs.; two miles. Mr. C. Bewicke’s b. g. Glamore, by Eglamour, dam’s ped. unknown, aged, 12st. 7lb. Owner 1 Mr. C. Bewicke’s br. c. John Shark, 4 yrs., 10st. Capt. 7lb. Stacpoole 2 Mr. Hugh Ashton’s ch. g. Sanctimonious, 5 yrs., 12st. Mr. Forsythe 3 7 to 4 agst. Glamore.

NATIONAL HUNT AND WARWICK.

March 8th.—The National Hunt Steeplechase of 1,000 sovs.; four miles and about 150 yards. Mr. W. Charter’s ch. g. Count Rufus, by Wise Count, Mr. A. dam by Arraby, aged, 12st. 3lb. Gordon 1 Mr. C. W. Wadsworth’s b. h. Port Light II., aged, Hon. A. 12st. 3lb. Hastings 2 Capt. James Foster’s ch. h. Lara, 5yrs., 11st. 8lb. Capt. R. H. Collis 3 25 to 1 agst. Count Rufus.

The National Hunt Juvenile Steeplechase of 500 sovs.; for maiden four-year-olds; 11st. 7lb. each; two miles and a quarter. Mr. B. W. Parr’s ch. f. Nanoya, by Winkfield—Elissa Mr. H. Persse 1 Mr. J. Chamberlin’s br. c. English Oak Mr. Watson 2 Mr. Owen J. Williams’ ch. f. Irish Poplin Mr. Fergusson 3 7 to 1 agst. Nanoya.

The Warwick Handicap Steeplechase of 200 sovs.; two miles and three-quarters. Mr. F. Bibby’s b. g. Comfit, by Butterscotch, dam by Clanronald—K.T., aged, 12st. F. Mason 1 Sir Peter Walker’s br. g. Royal Drake, aged, 11st. 11lb. E. Sullivan 2 Lord Howard de Walden’s b. g. Centre Board, 6 yrs., 11st. 11lb. J. Cain 3 6 to 4 agst. Comfit.

HURST PARK.

March 10th.—The New Century Steeplechase of 437 sovs,; two miles. Mr. C. T. Garland’s br. g. Oatlands, by Waterford—Blanche Nef, 6 yrs., 12st. H. Aylin 1 Mr. T. Clyde’s br. g. Sachem, 5 yrs., 12st. J. O’Brien 2 Sir Henry Randall’s b. or br. c. Frisky Bill, 4yrs., Mr. 10st. Rollason 3 100 to 7 agst. Oatlands.

RACQUETS.

March 9th.—At Prince’s Club, the Military Championship Doubles; 2nd Batt. Highland Light Infantry (Lieut. H. Balfour-Bryant, M.V.O., and Lieut. P. Bramwell-Davies, the holders) beat 4th. Batt. King’s Royal Rifles (Major S. F. Mott and Lieut. G. T. Lee) by four games to one.

March 17th.—At Prince’s Club, the Military Championship Singles: Major S. H. Sheppard, D.S.O. (Royal Engineers), beat Lieut. H. Balfour-Bryant, M.V.O. (2nd Batt. Highland Light Infantry), the holder, by three games to two.

COURSING.

February 23rd.—The Waterloo Cup, Mr. H. Hardy’s f. d. Hoprend, by Forgotten Fashion—Heirloom, beat Mr. S. S. Death’s w. bk. d. Dividend Deferred, by Grampus—Dark Dame.

February 23rd.—The Waterloo Purse, Mr. R. J. Hannam nom. (Mr. A. Forster’s) f. b. Formula, by Pateley Bridge—Forest Fairy, and Mr. W. Ward nom. (Mr. T. Graham’s) Game ’Un, by Tara—Glenvera, divided.

February 23rd.—The Waterloo Plate, Mr. H. Birkbeck’s bd. b. Neolithic, by Father Flint—Filagree, and Mr. R. H. Whitworth nom. (Mr. H. Hardy’s) bd. d. p. Howtown, by Father Flint—Heirloom, divided.

FOOTBALL.

February 17th.—At Queen’s Club, Oxford v. Cambridge, latter won by 3 goals to 1.†

February 17th.—At Belfast, Ireland v. England, latter won by 5 goals to 0.†

February 24th.—At Dublin, Ireland v. Scotland, latter won by 13 points to 6.*

March 3rd.—At Edinburgh, Scotland v. Wales, latter won by 2 goals to 0.†

March 3rd.—At Aldershot, Corinthians v. Army, drawn, 1 goal each.†

March 7th.—At Oxford, the University v. United Services, former won by 5 goals 3 points to 1 goal 1 try.*

March 10th.—At Queen’s Club, Royal Navy v. The Army, Army won by 5 goals to 2.†

March 10th.—At Belfast, Ireland v. Wales, former won by 8 points to 3.*

March 10th.—At Exeter, Devon v. Durham (County Championship final), former won by 11 points to 0.*

* Under Rugby Rules.

† Under Association Rules.

Footnote 8:

“Modern Dogs (Sporting Division).” Two Volumes. Third Edition. By Rawdon B. Lee. (Horace Cox.)

Footnote 9:

“The Country Cottage.” By Geo. H. Morris and Esther Wood. 3s. (John Lane.)

Footnote 10:

“The Complete Bridge Player.” By “Cut Cavendish.” Fifth Edition. (T. Werner Laurie, Clifford’s Inn, Fleet Street, E.C.)

Footnote 11:

“Through Race Glasses.” By F. E. Vincent, 1s. (T. Werner Laurie.)

Footnote 12:

Endocia by Philammon—Lady Superior by Thunderbolt.

BAILY’S MAGAZINE

OF

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ DIARY FOR MAY, 1906. │ ├──────┬─────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │Day of│ Day │ OCCURRENCES. │ │Month.│ of │ │ │ │Week.│ │ ├──────┼─────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 1│ TU │Newmarket First Spring, Worcester and United Hunt │ │ │ │ (Lingfield) Races. │ │ 2│ W │Two Thousand Guineas, Worcester and Hexham Races. │ │ 3│ TH │Newmarket, Hexham, Thirsk, Isle of Wight, and Newport │ │ │ │ (Mon.) Races. │ │ 4│ F │One Thousand Guineas, Thirsk, Isle of Wight and Newport │ │ │ │ (Mon.) Races. │ │ 5│ S │Windsor Races. │ │ │ │ │ │ 6│ =S= │=Third Sunday after Easter.= │ │ 7│ M │Folkestone, Shirley Hunt and Pershore Races. │ │ 8│ TU │Chester, Aldershot and Pershore Races. │ │ 9│ W │Chester Cup, Aldershot, Newton Abbot and Shincliffe │ │ │ │ Races. │ │ 10│ TH │Chester and Newton Abbot Races. │ │ 11│ F │Kempton Park, Ripon and Keele Park Races. │ │ 12│ S │Kempton Park (Great Jubilee Stakes), Ripon and Keele │ │ │ │ Park Races. │ │ │ │ │ │ 13│ =S= │=Fourth Sunday after Easter.= │ │ 14│ M │Southwell and Wye Races. │ │ 15│ TU │Newmarket Second Spring and Southwell Races. │ │ 16│ W │Newmarket Stakes and West Somerset (Crewkerne) Races. │ │ 17│ TH │Newmarket and West Somerset Races. │ │ 18│ F │Gatwick, Haydock Park and Hamilton Park Races. │ │ 19│ S │Gatwick, Haydock Park and Hamilton Park Races. │ │ │ │ │ │ 20│ =S= │=Rogation Sunday.= │ │ 21│ M │Nottingham Hunt Races. │ │ 22│ TU │York and Bath Races. │ │ 23│ W │York and Bath Races. │ │ 24│ TH │Doncaster, Salisbury and Hamilton Park Races. │ │ 25│ F │Doncaster and Salisbury Races. │ │ 26│ S │Harpenden Races. │ │ │ │ │ │ 27│ =S= │=Sunday after Ascension.= │ │ 28│ M │Southwell Races. │ │ 29│ TU │Epsom Races. │ │ 30│ W │The Derby. │ │ 31│ TH │Epsom Races. │ └──────┴─────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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BAILY’S MAGAZINE OF SPORTS AND PASTIMES NO. 555. MAY, 1906. VOL. LXXXV.

CONTENTS.

PAGE Sporting Diary for the Month v. Mr. Assheton Biddulph, M.F.H. 343 Englishmen’s Sport in Future Years 346 A Plea for the Hare 350 Pelota 353 Jack Shepherd (Illustrated) 357 The Preparatory School 358 The Late Mr. John R. Gubbins (Illustrated) 362 Dressing Flies 367 Navicular Disease (Illustrated) 369 The Beech as a Commercial Tree (Illustrated) 375 The Hermit Family 377 Sport at the Universities 381 Foxhunting in France (Illustrated) 385 South African Policy of the Marylebone Cricket Ministry 387 Some Fables on Horses 391 The Advent of the Otter-hunting Season (Illustrated) 397 A Hundred Years Ago 398 The Sportsman’s Library (Illustrated) 399 Polo in 1906 402 “Our Van”:— Racing (Illustrated) 405 French Racing 410 Hunting 412 Some Spring Productions at the Theatres 415 Golf 419 Sporting Intelligence 420

WITH ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF MR. ASSHETON BIDDULPH, M.F.H.

Mr. Assheton Biddulph, M.F.H.

Mr. Assheton Biddulph, Master of the King’s County Hounds, whose portrait we give in this number, was born in the year 1850. He is the second surviving son of the late Francis M. W. Biddulph, of Rathrobin, in the King’s County, now the residence of the Master’s elder brother, Lieutenant-Colonel M. W. Biddulph, late 5th Fusiliers.

Mr. Francis Biddulph, from whom his son inherits his love of hunting, was a well-known sportsman in his day. The late Mr. O’Connor Morris, in his book “Memini,” remarks that he was “one who knew as much as most men about horses of all sorts, hounds, hunting, racing, &c.; in fact, he was an encyclopædia of sport, and could ride to perfection.”

There are not now living many who remember the sad period, sixty years ago, when Ireland was devastated by famine. Speaking of this time, an old hunting man, long since gone to his rest, said to the writer, “I never made such preparation for hunting as I did that year, but before a third of the season was over there was scarcely a pack of hounds in Ireland.” Hunting was only kept going in the King’s County by some energetic gentlemen, as the country began to recover, keeping small private packs and hunting in their own neighbourhood. Of these Mr. Biddulph was one. He was at the same time a staunch patron of the Turf, and owned many good racehorses. It was thus with his father’s pack the present Master was entered to hounds.

In 1869 Mr. Assheton Biddulph was gazetted to the 57th Regiment, the old “Diehards” (now 1st Battalion Middlesex), with which he was stationed for some time in Devonport, where, whenever free from duty, he devoted his spare time to the chase of fox, deer, and otter. Here, too, he made the acquaintance of Squire Trelawney and Mr. Jack Russell, the sporting parson. The regiment afterwards moved to Ireland, and thus gave him the opportunity of again hunting in his native country. In 1873, the battalion being about to proceed to Ceylon, and the outlook seeming to offer but little opportunity of active service, Mr. Biddulph sent in his papers, and began devoting his energies to his favourite sport. For two or three seasons he hunted principally in Galway as the guest of the famous Burton Persse, of whom he always speaks as his principal tutor in the art. At the same time he confesses to dipping stealthily into authorship; as “Vagrant” he used regularly to write hunting sketches in the _Irish Sportsman_ for his old pedagogue, W. J. Dunbar.

Previous to this the late Earl of Huntingdon, then Lord Hastings, had undertaken the task of reviving sport in the district, and hunted both the original King’s County and also the country now occupied by the Ormond Hunt, in Tipperary, till the year 1876. The countries were then separated, the latter being taken over by Mr. W. T. Trench. They were, however, again united in 1879 under Lord Huntingdon, an arrangement which lasted till 1882; and during this period Lord Huntingdon received the greatest assistance from Mr. Biddulph, who acted as both hunt secretary and first whipper-in.

In the beginning of the season 1881–82 political troubles stopped hunting in the district; the hounds were sold, the country was broken up and left derelict for two seasons. In 1884 Mr. Assheton Biddulph faced all obstacles, and, with hardly a fox left in the country, finding hounds, horses, and everything for himself, started to resuscitate the fortunes of the Ormond and King’s County Hunt.

Those who know Ireland understand how difficult it is to keep clear of politics in that country. Mr. Biddulph, however, determined from the first to avoid contentions, and the wisdom of this resolution, though not wholly approved by those with whom he was most strongly in sympathy, has been fully proved by his success. Thus for thirteen years he hunted the great district occupied by both hunts, until in 1897 the countries were again separated, the Ormond being taken over by the present Earl of Huntingdon. Mr. Assheton Biddulph’s success during this period is best testified by the following resolution, passed at the annual meeting of the Hunt on May 5th, 1895:—

“That his many friends and the members of the Hunt accord a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Assheton Biddulph for his unceasing zeal and untiring energy during his past eleven seasons of mastership, and that they take this public opportunity to express a deep sense of their appreciation of the grand pack of hounds he has bred in the country, the able manner he has managed and hunted them, the fine sport he has shown, the tact with which he has in troublous times overcome many and various difficulties, thus raising to a high position amongst the Hunts of Ireland the standard of the Ormond and King’s County Hunt, over which they sincerely hope he may be spared to preside for many years to come.”

In 1898, on the division of the country and on the occasion of the Annual Puppy Show at Monyguyneen, Mr. and Mrs. Biddulph were the recipients of a very valuable presentation of plate, accompanied by the following address in an illuminated album, which also contains the signatures of about three hundred subscribers, members of every class in the country:

“Your numerous friends in the King’s and adjoining counties in recognition of the lengthened period during which you have hunted the country at very considerable expense, and kept up sport in trying and difficult times when it was abandoned in so many other places, beg your acceptance of the accompanying pieces of plate, and trust that the inscription which they bear (embracing Mrs. Biddulph’s name as well as your own) will show how thoroughly we appreciate the admirable manner in which she has always seconded your efforts to popularise sport by her constant presence and prowess in the field. It will also, we feel assured, gratify you to know that this testimonial has been subscribed to over a very large area, and we all most heartily and warmly unite in hoping that you and Mrs. Biddulph will be spared for many years to maintain the best traditions of the hunt over which you so well preside.”