American friends of our arrival, found the party assembled, and an excellent repast and warm welcome awaiting us. We devoted the next few days to lionizing our own and the American side of the water, and passed some agreeable days, thanks to the officers in garrison there, whose kindness and hospitality exceeded every thing I ever met with; dinners, private plays, and balls, were the order of the evening, and our mornings were passed in boating, fishing, shooting, or riding. The amateur plays were extremely well got up, and reflected the very greatest credit upon the members of the sock and buskin as the object of these performances was for charitable purposes, they were most liberally patronized by the inhabitants and garrison of the town. A cœna worthy of the ancients always wound up the evening's entertainment; and upon one occasion we were greatly amused at some anecdotes told us of the Quebec private theatricals, by a former member of that corps. In the days that the late lamented Duke of Richmond was Governor-general of Canada, his grace patronized every species of amusement and sport, and a series of private plays for charitable purposes were commenced under the patronage of the noble Duke. His son, Lord William Lennox, then acting as aide-de-camp to his father, was elected manager of the dramatic corps; but finding after the first performance that all "wanted to be kings," and that for the humbler walks there were no candidates, his lordship called to his assistance Colonel Fitzgerald, then commanding a battalion of the 60th rifles, and Captain Jebb of the engineers, an officer who has lately distinguished himself much in the erection of the Pentonville prison. The first and second performances went off very smoothly, when, unfortunately, one morning at rehearsal, it was discovered that the lady who was to have enacted Maria in the "School for Scandal" was absent without leave. Scouts were dispatched after her, and at last the awful news was communicated to the managerial triumvirate that the lady had been taken up upon a charge (a false one as it afterwards proved to be) of having stolen a spoon from her landlady. What was to be done? Some thoughtless wag suggested "The Maid and the Magpie," the principal character by the absent lady; another thought that "The Delinquent" and "Lock and Key" would be appropriate, that is, if through any influence it could be arranged to get the "Prisoner at large." In the mean time the management instructed a legal gentleman to defend the unfortunate lady, and lost no time in seeking for a substitute. We ought here to mention that the ladies who had been retained by the garrison amateurs, had been members of a small company of professional performers, who, finding no encouragement for their exertions in Quebec, had closed the theatre, the men seeking what other employment they could, and the ladies engaging themselves to the amateurs for the winter months.

To resume. By no possibility could the trial of the unfortunate and innocent absentee come on before the night of performance; and a messenger was about to be despatched in a sledge to Montreal to procure an artiste, when, at a rehearsal, a bugler of the . . . . . regiment stepped from the orchestra upon the stage, and suggested that his wife, who had once performed at Guernsey, was competent to the

task. The lady was sent for and shortly made her appearance, and certainly, as far as personal looks and manners went, she was likely to prove an addition to the corps. The part was given her, with a request that she would attend the next rehearsal, and that in the mean time she was at liberty to order herself any dress from the Quebec Maradan. The eventful morning arrived when Mrs. B.. ... was to give the company a taste of her quality, and to the annoyance of all, her nervousness was so great that she could scarcely utter a line; every encouragement was given her, and, as she improved a little, hopes were entertained that in time she would conquer her timidity. The part of Maria was cut to almost nothing, and, at the last rehearsal, the lady acquitted herself rather better; the evening arrived, and the sight of the lamps seemed to inspire the heroine, as she walked courageously on, and received a burst of applause, due to her beauty and her début, if not to her talent. We pass over her acting, which, to use a newspaper phrase, was almost inaudible in the gallery, and come to the last scene. Previous to this, Lord William Lennox, who enacted Charles Surface, called the débutante aside, and said"Don't be frightened; there's one line you must deliver with emphasis, for a point turns upon it. When Sir Peter says to me What, you rogue, don't you ask the girl's consent first?' and I reply, Oh! I have done that a long time-a minute ago—and she has looked yes,' you must reply, For shame, Charles! I protest, Sir Peter, there has not been a word;' come boldly forward; speak well out to the audience; never mind the exact words, but convey the meaning that you never had said a word."

The young lady was all attention, and promised implicit obedience. The moment arrived the débutante seemed to be inspired, for no sooner had Charles delivered the line above quoted, than coming boldly forward to the lights, the gentle Maria uttered in a voice that could be heard all over the house-" O fie, Charles! I purtest, Sir Peter, I never said No sitch thing." A shout of laughter welcomed this little natural lapsus, and it required all the self possession of Charles and his brother performers to prevent their giving way to their risible faculties. The play, however, went on smoothly, was admirably tagged (as the players call it) by the reformed scapegrace, Charles, who must have laughed not a little in his sleeve at the compliments he was so poetically paying to the lovely Maria, and the curtain fell amidst roars of applause. We ought here to add that the unfortunate Thespian was honourably acquitted, and again took her station on the boards; the bugler's wife played one or two characters, where beauty, not speaking, was required.

The

The other anecdote took place at Quebec during the performance of "Raising the wind," and again was Lord William Lennox, who enacted Jeremy Diddler, the hero of it. second scene of the second act opens, and discovers the all accomplished Mr. Diddler, under the disguise of Fainwould, at the table of Mr. Plainway, at which are assembled that antiquated piece of virginity, Miss Laurelia Durable, and the "Paragon of premature divinity," Miss Peggy Plainway. According to the stage directions, Diddler is to sing a verse of "The beautiful Maid," now addressing

The scene

himself to the young, and now to the old lady. In the acting edition of "Raising the Wind" is the following note:-"The singing, on account of Mr. Lewis's inaptitude at turning a tune, is omitted in representation." The above reason being equally applicable to his lordship as well as to the late Mr. Lewis, the song was to have been omitted, when an idea occurred to the aristocratic amateur, upon which he lost no time in acting. Among the Thespian corps was a gentleman, who possessed, in addition to great dramatic powers, a most beautiful voice; we allude to the popular author of the Sportsman in France and Canada; and, anxious to give every effect to the scene, Lord William prevailed upon this gentleman to place himself immediately behind the scene, at the front of which his lordship was sitting, and sing the verse through a slit in the canvass. opened, and Jeremy Diddler, with mouth open, was apparently singing the stave: there was no end to surprise among his lordship's friends, who were quite aware that singing was not one of his accomplishments; the rest of the public listened with attention, and rewarded the song with shouts of applause. "Bravo," shouted one from the upper boxes; "Encore, encore," cried two genuine Yankees in the pit; Encore, bravo," echoed a dozen voices, stamping with their feet and sticks. Jeremy tried to go on with his part. Encore, encore The beautiful Maid," shouted the pit en masse, for the verse had been exquisitely sung. His lordship now tapping at the back scene asked sotto voce whether his double was ready to give the verse again; but, unfortunately, the real Simon Pure had run off to his dressing-room at the upper end of the theatre. What was to be done? the house were uproarious, nothing but the song would suffice them. While in this dilemma, Jeremy Diddler rose from the table, advanced towards the lights, and in a manner that would have been worthy of the great Robert William Elliston, said, "Ladies and gentlemen'Silence,' "Hear him,' 'Song,' Bravo-Ladies and gentlemen, nothing would give me greater pleasure than having it in my power to comply with your flattering wishes, but unfortunately within the last two minutes I have actually LOST my voice, and I could not sing a note if my life depended upon it."

"Bravo, go on," shouted the Quebec public. At last, silence was obtained, his lordship again took his place, when at that very moment the gentleman with the voice, who had been made aware of the cause of the disturbance, and had not quite caught the words of the apology, thinking an encore even at the eleventh hour was better than none, broke out into the last verse of the "Beautiful Maid;" Jeremy was for a moment nearly upset, but recovering his self-possession, opened his mouth, put his hand to his heart, appeared to labour in singing, and at the end drew forth such a shout as made the Welken ring. Miss Durable intead of sticking to the text, and saying, "Mr. Fainwould, you sing delightfully," congratulated Mr. Fainwould (Diddler in disguise) on the sudden recovery of his voice, which drew down another round of applause, and the rest of the farce went off admirably.

To be continued.

ON TRAINING THE RACE HORSE.

BY COTHERSTONE.

CHAP. XXIX.-WASTING.

For the purpose of complying with the present customs of the turf, which have appointed the weight to be carried by race-horses considerably below the average standard of the human species, the jockey is under the necessity very frequently of reducing his natural corpulence by a system of training severe and unpleasant, and performed with the utmost labour.

Various constitutions require different treatment: some can scarcely bear any aperient medicine; others require a considerable quantity. Men who are good walkers are under the necessity of performing long and forced marches which others cannot endure. Those who are of a cold temperament, with a languid circulation, require a considerable quantity of flannels, vulgarly denominated sweaters; and others will obtain the necessary evaporation with very light ones. It is therefore impossible to lay down a precise rule, that every man is to take a certain quantity of medicine, walk a specific distance, and wear a given quantity of clothing; such things must be regulated by circumstances dependent upon the constitution and health of the individual, as also by the weather, the weight to be reduced, and the time that can be afforded to accomplish the task in. Many persons are of opinion, and amongst them some of the medical profession, that the course adopted by jockeys to reduce their weight is injurious to their health. Under proper restrictions, and judiciously carried on by a man enjoying good health, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it the most certain remedy that can be employed for the preservation of that blessing. To those who labour under consumptive diseases, or other internal complaints, it may be injurious; but there is no doubt that all classes, above the common labourer in this country, do not, generally speaking, take sufficient exercise, and eat too much animal food. Strong walking exercise, with a light diet, is the ordeal which a jockey observes to reduce himself; and, if not carried on to excess, although it is very hard work, it is certainly not injurious to health. In the course of these observations, I am presuming that time will permit of a course of wasting being adopted in the most regular and salutary manner, otherwise I would not advocate it; therefore, to propose a course of treatment at variance with an established opinion, would be either a positive contradiction of one's belief, or it would convey an impression of doubt as to the consequences. True it is men may often be tempted to reduce themselves very rapidly; but that is no evidence of the propriety of

the act.

Previously to walking, two or three doses of mild aperient medi

cine should be taken, at intervals of about three days between each. From two to three of the following pills, taken at bedtime, will be found mild and effectual; and, if necessary, a small proportion of Epsom salts, with or without an infusion of senna, may be taken on the following morning, or the latter mixture without the aid of the pills

R Ext. Colocynth., comp.
Hydrarg. Submur.

Ol, Carui ................
Puly. Scammonie

3iss. gr. vi.

gutt. vi.

9j. Ft. pillulæ xxiv.

When this course is commenced, a very light diet should be adopted; very little, if any, animal food should be indulged in, by which means the blood will gradually become prepared for the approaching exertion.

The quantity of clothing must be apportioned according to the weather and the constitution of the person making use of them. Three or four waistcoats, and two pairs of drawers, made of the yellow flannel usually procured at Newmarket, are generally sufficient, although some persons will encase themselves in eight or nine waistcoats and four pairs of drawers. Loose smallclothes and gaiters are the most appropriate; with a great-coat over all, a shawl round the neck, and a pair of woollen gloves to complete the costume.

Some attention is requisite in having the waistcoats and drawers to fit accurately; and they should be in successive sizes, so that the uppermost be larger than those which are near the body: if they wrinkle they will chafe the wearer, and become very unpleasant. In putting them on, two, or at most three, of the waistcoats are to go within the drawers, the remainder outside. Two waistcoats may be worn with sleeves, the remainder without: if additional warmth is required for the arm, the legs of a pair of stockings, the feet being cut off, will be found as convenient an addition as any, because the elasticity will afford the wearer more comfort than too many thicknesses of flannel.

The usual time for walking is in the morning; but the period must frequently be regulated by the weather. The less indulgence in bed the better. Previously to starting, a cup of coffee, with a biscuit or a piece of dry toast, should be taken, and the addition of an egg may be occasionally indulged in. By taking a very moderate portion of light food an hour before the walk is commenced, the body will be in a state of vigour to encounter the fatigues, whilst there can be nothing to apprehend from an overloaded stomach.

The first two or three miles should be performed at a moderate pace, just sufficient to produce strong perspiration. It must always be remembered, that if either man or horse goes too fast, so as to become blown or out of breath, the object of perspiring is defeated. In the first place, the perspiration will not flow so profusely and regularly, neither can the pace be continued at that rate necessary to maintain the increased circulation, if the respiratory organs become overexcited. A certain portion of vital air is requisite to give free action to the lungs, and thereby render the blood fit for circulation, which must be attended to in regulating the pace. The first walk should