of laughter, or ever display such indescribable
comicality as Jack Reeve, in the Beadle of
the Parish.

JOHN REEVE, it is generally admitted, has
no pretensions to the character of a sentimental
actor on the stage; indeed, he is quite aware
of that feeling towards him by his patrons,
although once, in his early theatrical career, he
did attempt to personify OTHELLO ; but he has
since allowed the criticism of his friends to be
perfectly just and in the words of the cha-
racter he has very sensibly exclaimed

Farewell ! Othello's occupation 'a gone.

But, as a * Man of Feeling ' off the boards,
with his 'heart in the right place,' he is one
of the best and most feeling* performers con-
nected with the Sock and Buskin : he undr-
Btands the right way of conferring a favour,
4t to do good by stealth, and blush to find it
fame ;" something after the manner of

\Vhy what's that to you, if my eyes I am wiping?

A tear is a pleasure d'ye see in its way ;
It's nonsense tor trifles I own to be piping

13ut they thai an't pity why I pities they !



There is no palaver about Jack Reeve ; and no
person detests flattery more than the * great
comic lion' does ; although as an Actor be-
fore the public he is anxious to merit the
esteem of the world ; and he is also fond of
the meed of approbation due to the performer
who exerts himself to deserve it general ap-
plause. Reeve is a Man of the World ; and
it is true that he has not lived in it for nothing ;
but like most travellers he has seen ' strange
things.' That he has viewed many characters
in his walks through society, that may have
been afterwards turned to a good account by
him, there can be little doubt and, in * shoot-
ing folly as it flies,' Jack has likewise proved
himself a good marksman,

REEVE is a sociable, friendly companion;
neither has he any objection to a glass of ge-
nerous wine ; and by no means of a reserved
character amongst his acquaintances yet he
has an immense aversion to be viewed as the
1 plaything of the hour' in private parties or,
in other words, the Tyger of the company.
He does not relish " Mine Host" inviting his
friends to dine with him, under the proposition
that the visitors will have a rare treat, as the
celebrated John Reeve takes his food at such
an hour, in his house, and in the course of the
evening he will be shown up by Mr. Merry-
man, if not stirred up with a ' long pole' by some
of the guests. This sort of thing Jack de-
tests altogether ; therefore * a word to the wise'
may prove sufficient ; and likewise the hint
not altogether thrown away upon those gentle-
folks who invite Theatrical Persons to their
tables, not only as a source of attraction, but
as a make-weight to their parties.

As a burlesque actor, Mr. Reeve is un-
rivalled ; he enters into the scene with so much
spirit, that he positively identifies himself with
the character he represents. There is nothing
like him on the stage, since the decease of the
late Mr. Oxberry.

The imitations of Mr. Reeve are not so nu-
merous as those of Mr. Mathews or Mr. Yates ;
but they are generally considered on a par
with those celebrated Comedians.

His parodies are remarkably well executed ;
and his astonishing falsetto, which possesses
great sweetness, affords him considerable as-
sistance in the execution of his songs.

The following parody was nightly encored
with the most tumultuous approbation :

Heavy whet ! heavy whet ! whet, I cry ;
Full and fair pots when I'm dry,
If so be you axes where,
1"hey are sold ? I answers there !

Where the jovial flints are met,
There's the shop for heavy whet (
Heavy whet ! heavy whet, whet, I cry ;
Full and. fair pote when I'm dry !

Instead of repeating the above parody, in an-
swer to the encore, to the great surprise and
pleasure of the audience, he introduced the
following new versions of it :



38



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



Mutton chops ! mutton chops ! chops, I cry ;

Fat or lean one's, both I'll try:

But, if you would have my coin,

You must cut them off the loin :

When the cook for nothing stops,

That's the time for mutton chops !

Mutton chops ! mutton chops ! chops, I cry ;

I was hungry and as dry ;

Let me have them nice and hot,
With a murphy and chalot ;
When the lip with hunger drops,
That's the time for mutton chops.

Cherry bounce ! cherry bounce ! bounce, I cry ;

Fill a full glass on the sly ;

If so be you ask me where,

To the Blue Posts we'll repair

When we heavy whet renounce,

That's the time for cherry bounce !

Cherry bounce ! Cherry bounce ! bounce, I cry ;

When my sweetheart's standing nigh,

And with passion I'm beguil'd,

When I wish to draw it mild ;

Then her fears of me to trounce,

Then I call for cherry bounce !

Although John Reeve can manage the au-
dience, as it is termed, and do almost what he
pleases with them, so high does he stand in
their good opinion, yet he displays great
FEVERisHnm of mind in the representation of
any new character. There is a kind of ' stage
fright' hangs over his exertions, which he
cannot shake off, and some nights must elapse
before he feels himself quite at his ease to add
those finishing touches of humour and character
to the part for which he is so justly cele-
brated. The following song, written for him
by the late ThomasRodwell,Esq., in Bachelor's
Torments, affords him considerable scope for
the display of his peculiar traits of excel-
lence.*

V1D DE GRACE EXTRAORDINAIRE.

First vid de grace extraordinaire,

I use de foil, and I hit you dere ;

If vid de gentilhomme I parry quarte O !

Ca, Ca, I tip him on the right-hand-heart O !

But if vid de demoiselles I parry tierce O '

Vy den de little left-hand-heart I pierce O !
Frappez deux fois, ue bouges pas a la garde, I say ;
Avaucez, retirez-vous, tin, deux, trois, developez.

Den on de theatre I play so free,

You never shall see one act well like me.

In comedy I send so far away O I

Parlet and Potier, and Brunei O ;

In tragedy I do so tear about-a,

You tink poor Talma but a stupid lout-a.

Regardez look ! see my tragic grace,

In Comedy, I have anoder face.



* Some few years since, being at the Brighton
Theatre, and chance having placed me in the same box
jrith Mrs. Mountain and Mr. Tom. Cooke, I overheard
the following remarks made by Mrs. M., during the
time Reeve was singing the above song. " Who is
that young man, Mr. Cooke, 1 ' said Mrs. Mountain, " I
really am very much pleased with his performance :
I have not seen so much real talent for a long time ;
and I have no doubt but he will arrive at the very top of
his profession." The prediction of Mrs. Mountain,
whose reputation as a first rate songster, and whose
experience enabled her to form a correct judgmen
on theatrical affairs, and the merits of performers
have long since been verified to the utmost extent.



Den at de Opera so much I shine,

Dey cry bravo bis, bis, 'tis quite divine.

I cut so neat, and so long up remain O !

You tink I shall never come down again O !

And if in pirouette so light I hop i,

You ask your ami if I never stop i :
Chassez croissez, chaine entire, demoiselles, balencej;
Dos-i'i-dos promenade, cavaliers avancez.

Den ven in love, such dolce tings I tell her,
In soft Italian so I call her " bella;"
And on my knees I stay three hours or more O
She di pietade takes me from the floor O !
I press her mano to my poor cuore,
Dat she may feel how freme is my ardore.
Cara, sweetest ! it is for you I die,
" Ah ! no non more !" she so sweet reply.

Den for de song, ah, ah ! I quickly soon

Shall put de very angels out of tune :

In seriosa I've more force den any,

And make look foolish de great Tramczzani :

To talk of Naldi, pooh ! it's all stuff- a,

You crack your very side wben 1 sing buffa.

Now sotto voce, et concompiacenza,

Stiam furiosa finish a la cadenza !

A short time since Jack Reeve very narrowly
escaped an accident which might have proved
of a most serious nature to him ; the above
Son of Momus, always upon the alert to pro-
duce novelty and fun, identified himself so
much with the passing scene in " Robert le
Diable," in order to give greater effect to the
character, that in his rush down the stage, he
lost his balance, and unexpectedly fell into
the orchestra. Mr. Reeve sprained his back
so severely, that the * Lyons of Mysore' was
changed to * Freaks and Follies.' Upon
which curious coincidence, almost an allusion
to the above accident, a wag present composed
the following impromptu :

The Lion now has got a stall,

' Great Creature' in a rage ;
By music caught in a Yl'M-JalU

His fury to assuage.

Tho' bad the fall, and fast the run,
Strange ! without mist or fog !

But hope nothing will stop the fun
Of MAHMAJJUKE MAGOG.

Then Fare thee well, JACK REEVE, may
health prove thy best friend ; may he stick to
thee like glue ; but be sure thou dost not
abuse him. Remember the public have a life
interest in thy career ; also may that merry
trio, fun, frolic, and harmony, be always
thy attendants, and never be found out of
place or out of tune ; and may wit, talent,
laughter, bustle, incident, pun, whim, drol-
lery, joke, all that sort of thing, and every
thing in the world, never refuse thee their
potent aid to the end of the chapter ; but,
above a\l,mSiy ( Abrahamidesthe First, the Last,
the only Abrahumides,' always prove a Flint
at his post ; may the * Great Comic Lion' never
want a ' head' at all times to set the table in a
roar; and may Marmaduke Magog, the re-
nowned Beadle of the Parish, always have his
work to do, i. e. to ' take himself up' as a
model for all jther beadles, to please and
gratify the public, is the sincere wish of the
Editor of the Boor. OF SPORTS.



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



To all SPORTING COVES, NORTH, EAST, and
SOUTH; by OX E from the WEST.

PIERCE EGAN, on the course again,

Another race begins ;
And, mounted well, with spur and rein,
Declares that ev'ry nerve he'll strain,

Until the whip he wins !

The race he runs is not alone

For projit, but for Jame ;
Since, if fuck rider had his uifii,
To all tlie ti'orld would soon be known,

The worth of EGAN'S name!

Some say he rides a slender nag,

Whose points and pace bespeak,
That he who backs him should not brag
Much of his speed but mum their mag

He'll run them week by week.
'Tis true his mettle will be tried,

With prads high bred and bold,
But, lo ! their skins are scarified,
With cuts, so close, no skill can hiJe

How dull they are, and old !

Whilst EGAN'S COLT is from a stud

Unrivall'd yet, for strength;
And, let his rivals chew the cud,
in spite of FEEDING, BONK, and FLOOD,

He'll beat them by a length.
Devonshire.



TOM THUMB.
The Celebrated American Trotting Horse.

The unparalleled feat of trotting 100 miles
in harness, in ten successive hours and a half,
200 to 100, was accomplished on Monday,
February 2, 1829. When this match was tirst
made, Mr. Melville contemplated making the
attempt with the celebrated Paddington mare,
which had exhibited extraordinary powers
both as to speed and lasting qualities, and she
was put into regular training, but ultimately
relinquished, and the preference given to a
horse recently arrived in this country from
America. To this horse, which is an Ame-
rican by birth, standing about fourteen hands
high, and twelve years of age, he turned his
attention ; and the horse was put into train-
ing (having but about ten days to prepare for
his extraordinary task), and the whole of the
stake-money was made good ; but, owing to
some dispute, the bargain for the American
was relinquished. However, at a late hour
on Saturday night, the negociation was re-
newed, and his request generously complied
with. Little time was now left to prepare for
action. The horse was fortunately in excel-
lent condition, and on the Sunday afternoon
was walked from the neighbourhood of New
Cross, on the Deptford-road, to the Red Lioa
at Hampton, a distance little short of twenty
miles, while the match cart, in which he was
to perform his feat, was sent, " under cover,"
to the same place. The proprietor of the
horse, being himself somewhat indisposed,
placed him under the care of his own groom,
and of Mr. Harry England, of the Kent-road,
who undertook the superintendence of the
match and, by his admirable arrangements,



succeeded in effecting it in the mosttriuuiphant
manner.

The betting was very limited, time being
backed to a small amount only at two to one.
The articles having stipulated that the match
should be performed on Sunbury Common, it
was agreed that it should be done over a five-
mile piece, from mile-stone to mile-stone ; and
it was at first arranged that the start should
take place from the Staines end, which would
have been the case had the mare started. The
American, however, having been elected,
which was at Hampton, an alteration took
place, and it was determined that the arduous
task should be commenced at the fifth mile-
stone from Staines, close to the George pub-
lic-house, and from thence to Staines and
back. Two umpires and a referee were
chosen on the same night, and every pre-
liminary arranged. Relays of horses and
gigs being on the spot to carry the umpires
and referee, as well as those persons who
were appointed to watch the progress of the
match.

At four o'clock on Monday morning, the
American groom, who seemed to regard his
horse with the affection of a relative, was on
the alert. He slept in the same stable, and
roused him from his slumbers to give him a
substantial feed. At six v accompanied by Mr.
Henry England and Mr. Frederick Smith,
who rode as umpires for the horse all set out
for the five-mile stone, wheie the other parties
had assembled. The distance from the Red
Lion was about a mile and a half, and although
not yet light, it was evident that the little
horse was all life and spirit. He was driven
by the groom, who weighs about MOlbs., or
ten stone. The match-cart, which was made
in America, was one of the lightest we have
ever seen, not more than 108lbs., and decid-
edly the most compact, although not the most
elegant, that has met our notice. The shafts
ran level with the body of the horse, and the
seat, which was lined with leather, was as
near the axle-tree as possible, so as to give
room for the driver to stretch his legs. The
principle seemed to be, to place the weight
close to the draught; and, in fact, the slightest
exertion set the machine in motion. The
horse was unseemly in his aspect rough in
his coat, and, at first sight, slouching in his
gait ; in truth, any thing but what an English
eye would select for such a performance. He
had four good legs, however, and a brightness
in his eye which led the connoisseurs to " cal-
culate" there was something more than com-
mon in his qualities, and many began to
' guess" that he would vindicate the fame of
the Yankee breed of trotters, which are ac-
knowledged to be the best in the world. Two
watches, having been regularly timed by the
umpires, were now produced, and having
been stopped at the same moment, half-past
six, were, at a given signal, started at the
sai.ie instant, and with them the horse and
we must here pay a compliment to the excel-



40



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.



lent plans of Mr. England, who, having been
appointed referee, rode the whole of the
match before the American, in a gig, having
been supplied wiih excellent relays of horses
for the purpose. Mr. E. foresaw that, to per-
form so long a journey, the wisest plan would
be to prevent over-exertion at first ; and,
although he knew the speed of the horse was
equal to fifteen miles an hour, he resolved to
keep him to a steady pace of about ten miles
an hour, thus husbanding his strength for the
last, if it should be necessary; and in order to
effect this, he further resolved to drive before
him himself, with his watch in his hand, so
as to regulate his time. This plan had the
additional advantage of encouraging the
animal, and checking that desire to increase
his speed, which, if the road had been clear
before him, and horses were travelling on
each side of him, he would have evinced, and
which to check, would only have produced
fretfulness. It is needless to say that, to
effect this, Mr. E. was provided with some
good tits, who throughout were not permitted
to let the grass grow under their feet. To
Mr. Frederick Smith also great praise is due
for his activity, zeal, and attention throughout
the match. He rode the whole hundred
miles on five horses, and was indefatigable i:i
giving notice for the necessary refreshments for
the horse, and spared no pains to secure suc-
cess. A stable was prepared for the reception
of the American, close to the Five-mile-stone,
into which he was taken at the end of every
twenty miles. Gruel was his only food, but
he occasionally took a snap of hay, and never
once showed a disinclination to grub.
The distances were thus performed :

E. M.

First twenty miles 1 59

Taken out and in stable 8

Second twenty miles ...... 1 50

Taken out and in stable 8

Third twenty miles ....... 1 58

Taken out and in stable Oil

Fourth twenty miles 1 42

Taken out and in stable 8

Last ten miles but one 52

Stopped to wash mouth with gruel,

which he took with good appetite 2

Last ten miles 1

10 7

Thus performing the hundred miles in ten
hours and seven minutes, and having twenty-
three minutes to spare of the time allotted him
for the task ; and, we must add, he came in as
fresh and as lively the last ten miles, and at as
brisk a pace and with as free a will, to all ap-
pearance, as when he first started. In fact, Mr.
England stated, that he had no hesitation in
saying he could have done fourteen miles in
the last hour, if necessary ; and his owner de-
clared that, if humanity would permit it, he
should have no hesitation in oacking him to do
thirteen miles in the succeeding hour with
perfect safety. The conclusion of this most



extraordinary feat was hailed with loud
cheers, and the little Phenomenon, as he may
be well called, was walked back to the Red
Lion at a pace of four miles an hour. On
being groomed, and furnished with a fresh
supply of gruel, he was as playful, and
seemed to go to work on the hay with as good
an appetite, as if he had been merely perform-
ing an ordinary task.

The road throughout was immensely crowded
during the day with gigs and trotters of every
description, but especially at the Staines end,
where a most fashionable assemblage was col-
lected, including a brilliant display of the
fair sex, who seemed to take a deep interest
in the match, and every time the horse ap-
proached received him with loud cheers.
His last return was marked by more than
ordinary exultation, and many rushed forward
to touch him, a desire which the groom
gratified by letting him stand for nearly two
minutes.

The day was uncommonly favourable, and,
although the road was hard in the morning,
still it ran light, and, as the warmth of the
sun increased, got better. The groom had but
ten miles' relief during the whole journey,
when a light boy was substituted ; but this
youngster was incapable of holding him in,
and poor Bill was obliged to resume his seat,
and finish his labours with a steadiness and
regularity highly to be commended. Through-
out the journey, although a small whip was
provided, it was never once used, nor did the
little animal on any occasion show the slightest
vice or want of temper. A more extraordinary
horse has, perhaps, never before graced the
annals of horse-flesh in this country.



SHOOTING IN AMERICA.

The Landlord proposing a route by which
we might connect u little sporting with it, and
his son, a fine intelligent youth, to accompany
me (says Mr. John Fowler, in his Journal of
a Tour in America), I began to feel my cha-
grin rapidly abating ; and slipping on a shoot-
ing dress, we were shortly in the woods with
our guns, attended by a pretty good pointer
dog. We found a few woodcocks and squir-
rels, but, upon the whole, had indifferent
success. A.s to what tee denominate game, it
is by no means abundant in the country, ex-
cept quail, which are generally plentiful.
Hares and pheasants there are none ; and par-
tridges (in some places called pheasants) are
scarce. Woodcock and snipe are uncertain,
both as to season and situation. 'Tis true that
great quantities of other birds may soineti-ncs
be killed ; for instance, wild ducks and pigeons,
which are occasionally seen in flocks of many
miles in extent; but, after all, and much as I
have heard of American shooting, in my opinion
it is a poor, insipid diversion, compared with
the English, pursued without any kind of
system or science, and reminding me more of



PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SFOKTS.



41



tre onsets of our mechanics and shopmen, let
loose at Christmas, and on holidays, to range
the fielJs, 7io mailer where, and pounce upon
#, o matter what, than of any thing worthy
the name of shooting. Let no English sports-
man think to better himself by emigration in
this respect ; I'll answer, upon trial, for his
total disappointment.

There k not, there cannot be, an individual
living, who holds our game-laws in greater ab-
horrence than I do, considering them as barbar-
ous and absurd as they arc wantonly tyran-
nical and unjust, the \eryfag-end of the old
Jcudol system, when barons could lord it over
their debased vassals at their pleasure, and
when in the humane diction of the day, if one
of them " did course or hunt, either casually
or wilfully, a beast of the forest, so that by the
swiftness of the course the beast did pant, or
was put out of breath,' 1 he was authorized to
flay him at ire. These days, thank Heaven,
have passed away, and the doctrine of equal
rights and equtd privileges is becoming rather
more fashionable, somewhat better understood,
and I hope yet to live to see this blood-
thirsty code altogether expunged from a sta-
tute book it has so long disgraced ; but if I
tr.usi sport, I confess 1 should prefer meeting
every unpleasantnessstiil attendant upon tin M;
odious enactments, an 1 shooting at English
game in English style, to going a gunning with
the most unbridled license, after the American
fashion.

On several other days, or parts of days, one
of our party and myself were occupied in pe-
rambulating the neighbouring country, with
our guns. We met with little other game than
woodcock, which, had we been provided with
a brace of good English pointers or setters,
would have afforded us excellent diversion :
as it was we killed a considerable number.
My friend was more successful than myself-
owing in part, perhaps, to the situations in
which we found the birds, chiefly amongst
Indian corn, and to which he had learned
better to accommodate himself. It frequently
grew so high, and so far out-topped me, that
I often heard the rise of a bird within ten
yards of rie, without seeing any thing of it,
and could only get snap-shots at best. The
few quail which we saw were uncommonly
wild ; in fact, between buck -wheat, which is
a very favorite resort, and Indian corn, it was
almost impossible to get them on the wing.
The best month for shooting here is Novem-
ber : it is usually very line : the corn is all
gathered, and the game has nearly attained
?.ts tul I growth, so as to be strong enough,
whaher on wing or foot, to give it a chance
for its life, and the latter system has no attrac-
tions for me. All the diversion which I could
ever discover attaching to shooting consists
in anticipation, in pursuit, in the excitement
of seeking and finding the game : there can b<j
none in the mere killing, except as undeniable
evidence of a good shot, an attainment few
ambitiaus of such distinction, with moderate



self-possession and practice, need despair of;
but the exercise, which persons in general
would never take without the accompanying
stimulus of dog and gun, is worth all the rest
put together. Whoever designs to sport here,
though, as I have said, it will bear no conv-
parisou with English shooting,, should take
care to provide himself with good dogs ; they
are scarce, and frequently sell for extravagant
prices.



ARCHERY.

Archery was so much approved of as a
bodily exercise by Bishop Lalimer, that lie
even preached a sermon in favor of it before
Edward VI. After the Restoration, AR-
CHERY became the general amusement;
CHARLES II. himself took such delight in it,
that he even knighted a man for excelling an
excellent shot,* whose portrait is in the pos-
session of the Toxopholite Society. After the