lit touch of frost on Saturday id not deter the patrons of the paper hunt from announcing their usual weekly run for that day. Themect wasat Upper Stone Bridge, on the Hongkew side, and a large field of horsemen were punch {ually on the ground, eager for the close But M. M. Reynards had arranged to give their ardour a chill upon starting. The first thing to be taken was a straight cut tidal ditch, about five feet deep—too much for most of the field to clear, and not to be got over by casting hunting dignity aside and going in for a scramble, After receiving " taste of "early purl" which was not altogether latable at that time, riders led or rode their floundering steeds to the nearest bit of friendly slope, The sporter of the royal arms and imperial dragon bestrode none of the wonderful animals to be found in his collection, but condescended to an ordinary griffin, which did not prove worthy to carry him, The redoubtable young warrior whose wigwam is adorned with trophies of sculls as is the noble red man's with scalps, found paddling his own canoe considerably. says he does not think the inventor of the easier than pulling his pony through; and
sliding seat ever intended it to be adapted to the saddle. We have pot heard from those who disappeared altogether in the creek, but it is believed they all got out of it in time to leave it clear for the finish. This awkward bit over, the leading ponies started off at a good pace, inclining to the ight, in the direction of the Rifle Butts, but before reaching there the paper led off to the left, ina northerly direction. Now all was plain sailing—no pooping, no men overboard, no swimming. 'This' reminds us that the Navy was well represented, and that, encouraged by the success of the gentleman who on Xmasday staked his reputation as a rider—and won—one of the gallant blue jackets led his pony over abridge about four inches broad. That pony now answers to thesame of Blondin. On swept the hunt," the well-laid paper giving an unmistakeable scent, and the carefully selected jumps offering no insurmountable difficulties. The deep-cut furrows which the Hongkew farmers find necessary on their low lying ground, and the entire disappearance of frost causing a soft and heavy surface, was hard on the ponies however. 'The course was always "left incline," in a circular direction till Alpha Farm was sighted, and then it was almost a straight run home, with but one check, which enabled the hunt to "front form' company." But no sooner did advance again become possible,
Bigsby on Bintang leading the light brigade, than the veterans eagerly pressed forward, How the heavies, The order of going was maintained till the finish, which was back over the same jump as at the start. Here the same grief occurred as before, and very few of the jaded ponies made their way through; most of them were prudently drawn out at a less dificult point, A stalwart Teuton who arrived very late, urged by the shouts of his friends that he was the first qualified heavy, charged the ditch baldy. He received a check on the bank and liquidated at once.
'A large number of spectators, including many ladies, witnessed the finish, and appeared to enjoy the discomfiture of the votaries of pink and paper.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.