dog from Newfoundland may have reached the Arctic Regions, and vice versa. But the Arctic dog is in make truss and deep, the original of Newfoundland loose and lengthy; the former has pricked ears, a bunchy tail, deep russet coat; and, without any extra cause of animation (according to the print in a former number), looks always ready for a start. The latter has a fine lopped ear, very long full tail, which, when erect and doubling over the back, boasts of the rich - ness of the most luxuriant ostrich feathers; in colour dingy black or black and white, seldom russet, and never liver-coloured; moreover, when not in action the most sleepy and most lazy of the canine species: "The Arctic Fox I conceive to be white three parts of the year: their hunger, I understand, in their own country is insatiable, and they are very numerous." ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THUNDERBOLT, WE gave a Portrait aud Pedigree of this famous Stallion in our last Number. His performances were as follow:-At the First Spring Meeting, 1809, he won the Newmarket Stakes, 50gs. each, h. ft. colts 8st. 7lb. fillies 8st, 2lb. D. M. sixteen subscribers. Same Meeting he received from General Gower's Mirth 100 gs. h. ft. twoyear-old cousre. Same Meeting he received from General Grosvenor's br. c. Trump, 8st. 2lb. each, D. M. 100gs. h. ft. Newmarket Second Spring Meeting, he won 501. for three-year olds, colts 8st. 4lb. fiillies 8st, beating nine others, and was never beaten. He lost his nomination for the Derby Stakes, by the death of the gentleman who named him, and was afterwards withdrawn from some high engagements on account of his lameness, and taken into the stud to cover.— The descendents of Sorcerer stand in the highest rank of our racing stock. For the Sporting Magazine. SPORTING ACCOUNT OF KING'S SEDGEMOOR. WITH many it is a received Sedge opinion that this portion of the county of Somerset includes all those flat lands interspersed between the well-known hills of Blackdown, Ham, and Mendip, and which run up into the country eastward so as to reach respectively the confines of Langport, Somerton, and Glastonbury. moor Proper, however, or 'King's Sedgemoor,' as it is called, comprises about fifteen thousand acres of low land, bounded north, east, and south by the semi-circular heights of Polden (provincially so called), Somerton, and Ham, and laying open to the sea in the remaining quarter. As once the scene of war, this place is too well described in his tory to need any comment on the scite thereof: the dilapidated walls of Edge House, once the asylum of Monmouth,' are still to be seen, and remind the visitor of the bloody conflict which formerly took place in its neighbourhood. Whilst treating of Sedgemoor, as in times past the theatre of wild fowl sporting, it may be necessary to touch on the adjacent marshes, as having afforded entertainment also to various classes of these wild birds, most of which were considered as emigrants from Scotland, their parent country. In addition to the names of Middlezoy,' dlczoy,' 'Weston Zoyland,' and Chedzoy,' villages situated on the more elevated parts of these moors, very many reasons may be adduced in support of the position, that the whole of this most extensive champaign, including Turf Moor,' so called, and the range towards Blackdown,' was once covered with the sea, on the receding of which a dark marsh appeared, for ages not frequented by man, as unfriendly to the human constitution. In this interregnum, if I may so term it, resembling in some measure the darker ages in our own history, little more was known of Sedgemoor, than that its sole inhabitants were wild fowl. Here the native birds were periodically visited by myriads on myriads of others, of foreign extraction, and all experienced, during their residence, the blessings of a 'golden age,' fully satisfied with the spontaneous produce, and free from every enemy. Gunpowder was not yet invented, hemp was not yet spun, nor had Bath market set a price upon their heads. Down to the late period of the reclaiming of this extensive morass (about twenty years since), not a species of aquatic birds frequenting the English shores, but could be here found, from the sanderlin to the woodcock, from the teal to the swan, and from the water-rail to the booming bittern. Incessant was the screaming of wild fowl-evenings and mornings more particularly, they paraded in multitudinous flocks, round and round the moor, jealous of the scene of their rendezvous, and as fearful of such invasion as it has at length experienced. History being silent on the subject, many disputes have arisen as to the precise period at which the sea had entirely withdrawn from these regions. We may, however, as well attempt to ascertain the consequent encroachments elsewhere by that element. Centuries may have elapsed during the accomplishing of this event; and all, it is presumed, that can with certainty be known on this head is, that it must be very remote. A correct idea, however, may yet be formed of the appearance of this expanse in its pristine state,' by any one viewing it from the adjacent hills, when covered (as it often is) by a dense, incumbent fog. From what motive Sedgemoor was first surveyed, it may at this period be difficult to determine; any other, probably, than that of turning the same to account. The gigantic work of reclaiming the whole, so as to engage the eye in admiration of fine verdure, contitinued through such an immense track, could never have been contemplated by those who floundered through bogs and through mire, and even hazarded their lives in exploring it. The result of their investigation, however, was soon made known, and the wonder why Sedgemoor more particularly attracted wild fowl, was solved in the ascertained superiority of its feed, and more appropriate accommodation. Hence arose the project of stocking the edges of the moor with tame geese, which shortly, and without expence to speak of, so multiplied, that an advantageous trade was opened, and successfully carried on many years, from the sale and purchase of their quills and feathers only. Hence, too, the suggestion of compassing the wild fowl also, by every device peculiar to those days. In addition to the stumps of old trees, found in rows round the va rious 6 rious decoy-ponds, in and near the moor, many corresponding circumstances prove the institution of the latter to have been of ancient date, and the unwieldy ducking guns,' which are now found hung up in the cottages on its borders, as out of commission, attest by their rude construction, and particularly (not to notice the lock) by the ill-welding of the barrels, that they were manufactured in the infancy of gunmaking; and that shooting on Sedgemoor commenced at a very early period. It would be absurd to listen to all the reports as to the quantities of wild fowl here taken by the net, especially in these early times. That the number thus captured weekly, notwithstanding the floating exaggerations, was immense, is however most certain. By such continued perse. cntion, the surviving birds in these regions became gradually shy, and numberless experiments were made, as to the best method of approaching them. The horse was found the surest interposing medium, and the least objectionable on the part of the wild fowl; but the management of the beast was often difficult, and sometimes dangerous to the fowler. Hence originated the idea of a representation of the animal on canvass, nailed to a frame, which could be made portable, and would be unattended with danger; but until the figure was formed with the head downwards, as in the act of feeding, no great execution was effected by its means. With this improvement, however, wonders were done by what soon came into general use in most fenny counties in the kingdom, and eventually gained the name of the Stalking Horse. Nor at this early period were the wild fowl on Sedgemoor persecuted during the day only,-roading' was practised with great success at either twilight, and throughout the night, heavy guns thundered from the boats on the extensive sheets of water, whilst the silent snipecatcher brushed round the smaller lakes and other swampy places, with his 'pole-net,' and contributed his quota to the vast number of the slain. To the nocturnal gunner a gentle breeze was necessary, so as to create a hoarse murmur on the waters, and otherwise to prevent alarm, whereas, the most propitious event to the day fowler, was the occurrence of a snow-storm. Then, should he have his Stalking Horse' with him, he could, with the proviso of keeping his lock dry, effect what havoc he pleased, the birds at such time appearing panic-struck, and rising only to settle again at a short distance. Though foreign to the subject of sporting, it may not be improper to notice a circumstance which constituted a prominent feature in the ancient history of Sedgemoor; viz. the gross superstition which prevailed amongst the cottagers who dwelt on its borders. No wonder that the constant inhaling of air, at the best of times far from salubrious, was eventually prejudicial to many. Agues, and a variety of intermitting and other complaints, visited these parts particularly, and rickets in children was common. On the occurrence of affliction in any family from either of these sources, instantly a horse-shoe was nailed to the door, a bullock's heart, stuck with pins, was commonly placed in the chimney, and various other devices were had recourse to, in order, as the expression was, to damp the witch, and keep off eril spirits. Nothing could affect the |