WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST.

THIS is a very pleasant book, and altogether after our own hearts. We have always maintained that the best way to see and know a country is to sport through it, and that one of the most agreeable forms of a book of travels is the sportsman's report of his adven- tures. In Mr. FRASER'S Highland Smugglers, the sports were the buoyant part of the work—the novel part was lead just to keep-the bait down ; and we regret that he did not select a similar form of publication with our friend of the West, the hero of the hills of Ballycroy. By. West, in this title, must be understood the West of Ireland ; and to come nearer to the sportsman's "fixture," the coast of Mayo, in the kingdom of Connaught. Mayo by its na- ture is admirably adapted to field sports. Its great extent of mountain surface, interspersed with bogs and morasses, its nume- rous and expansive waters, and its large tracts of down and feeding- grounds, render it available for every purpose of sport; and few spe- cies of game, it is said, indigenous to Britain, in their seasons will be sought in vain. As a hunting country, the plains have been long celebrated; and we have our author's testimony that its noble rivers, its extensive lakes, its romantic coasts, furnish every diver- sity of fish to the enterprising angler. Besides these advantages,. the manners and character of the inhabitants, wild and primitive as they are, furnish ample materials for the observer ; and their superstitions and adventures serve to charm away the idleness of the long evenings or the ennui of mornings of bad weather. The author's description of the society in which he found himself—the abode of a fine wild Irish chieftain—is admirable ; and we are not surprised, after sojourning so long in a land so full of interest, that he should speak with such tenderness of the Wilds of Ballycroy. "I have left these mountains," writes the author, "and never shall I enjoy the unalloyed excitement—the calm luxurious soli- tude, which I found among their wastes. What has refinement to offer me in exchange ? Will the over-stocked preserve replace the moorland chase, with its glorious ridge of purple highlands- • Its-Sitver Itilte—itia—iiparklirir river -Itayl4Ittribltatvers;-;--my-tried- friends—and thedear cabin and itssnowy tent, peeping from the dark expanse of heather like a white sea-bird from. the lap of ocean? .Alas ! nothing will compensate for these, or give me an equivalent for the joyous intercourse with kindred spirits which I realized and left in the wilds of Ballycroy." The model on which this book is written, is that of LLOYD'S Northern Sports, with which work we had great reason to be de- lighted. Though the exploits of the Irish sportsman cannot pre- tend to rival those of that most eminent bear-killer, neither per- haps do we find in his work so much actual information as to the state of an imperfectly known country, yet we must say, the hero of Ballycroy has a more winning way with him, and will please far more generally than the fierce and undaunted queller of Ursa Major. It is also a satisfaction to know that so much entertainment of a high and heal thgiving kind, so much beautiful scenery, so 'many wild and interesting pursuits, are to be had within reach— within our own Islands ; and that, for all kinds of game, red deer inclusive, but excepting bears, we have only to cross St. George's Channel, instead of blustering up the North Sea.

The following is the description of the abode or head-quarters of the hero of the : it is the habitation of a relative with whom the author has been invited to live and sport a while—a snug, comfortable spot, and worth description.

At the clachan of Mulranny, we struck into a pass in the mountains, and :turned our backs upon Clew Bay. A branch firm, the waters of Black Sod runs some ten miles inland, and meets this opening in the hills, affording a com- munication, by boats, with Enis. There my kinsman's galley was waiting for me, and in it I embarked my person and establishment. Taking advantage of a south-westerly wind, the boatmen hoisted their close-reefed lug, and away we shot rapidly towards the entrance of the inlet. From the high lands which rose on every side, the squalls fell more heavily and frequent than I fuund agreeable; but in an hour we cleared this confined and dangerous channel, and running be- tween Currane Point and the island of Junk Biggle, entered Black Sod Bay.

The passage down the inlet was marked with several incidents, which were in perfect keeping with the wild and savage scenery around. A seal would sud- denly raise his round head above the surface, gaze for a moment at the boat, and, when he had apparently satisfied his curiosity, sink quietly from our view. In rounding the numerous headlands through which this inlet irregularly winds, we often startled flocks of curlew, which, rising in alarm at our unexpected ap- pearance, made flue rocks ring with their loud and piercing whistle. Skirting the shores of Innis Biggle, we disturbed an osprey, or sea-eagle, in the act of feeding on a bird. lie rose leisurely, and lighting on a rock, waited till we passed-, and then returned to his prey. We ran sufficiently close to the shore to - observe the size and colour of the bird, and concluded that a grouse had been the eagle's victim.

"When we had cleared the highlands, the breeze blew fresh and steadily; the boatmen shook out the reefs, which had hitherto confined their canvass; the galley, with increased velocity, rushed through the rippling water, till, doubling a neck of land, surmounted by a ruined castle, and running up a sheltered creek; I found myself at the termination of my voyage, and warmly welcomed by my Irish kinsman, from whom, for fifteen years, I had been separated.

, I have been here three days, and am as mud, flometnicated in the mansion as any cousin's Newfoundland dog. I know the names and sobriquet of the esta- blishment; can discriminate between Harnish-a-neilan (James of the Island), and Andy-bawn (Fair Andy) ; hold converse with the cook, and am hand and glove with the housemaid. Really I tun delighted with the place - every thing as wild, new, and out-of-the-way ; but I must describe the locale of my kins- man's domicile.

At the bottom of a narrow creek, you must imagine "a low snug dwelling, and in good repair." The foam of the Atlantic breaks sometimes against' the windows, while a huge cliff, seaward, defends it from the storm, and on the land side, a sudden hill shelters it from the north wind. Here, when the tempest roars abroad, your friend Laura might venture forth and not endanger a papil- late. The bent* roof is impervious to the rain :—the rooms are neat, well ar- ranged, and comfortable. In the parlour, if the evening be chilly, a turf fire sparkles on the hearth ; and when dried bog-deal is added to the embers, it emits a fragrant and delightful glow, superseding the necessity of candles. The long and measured swell of the Atlantic would almost lull a troubled conscience to repose; and that rural hum, which attends upon the farm-yard, rouses the refreshed sleeper in the morning. In the calm of evening, I hear the shrill cry of the sandlark ; and in the early dawn the crowing of the cock grouse. I see the salmon fling themselves over the smooth tide, as they hurry from the sea to reascend their native river ; and, while I drink claret that never paid the reve- nue a farthing, or indulge over that proscribed beverage—the produce and the scourge of this wild district—I trace from the window the outline of a range of 'hills where the original red deer of Ireland are still existing. None of your park-fed venison, that tame, spiritless, diminutive, which a boy may assassinate with his " birding-uiece," but the remnant of that noble stock which hunters of other days, O'Connor the Cue Dine (Blackfoot), and Comae Baum Mac lavish, once delighted in pursuing. The offices of this wild dwelling are well adapted to the edifice. In winter, the ponies have their stable; and kine and sheep a comfortable shed. Nor are the dogs forgotten,- a warm and sheltered kennel is fitted up with benches, and well provided with straw. Many a sporting-lodge in England, on which thou- sands have been expended, lacks the comforts of ray kinsman's unpretending cottage. Where are the coachhouses? those, indeed, would be useless appen- .dages ; the nearest road on which a wheel could turn, is ten miles distant from the lodge.

The first object commemorated in the way of sport, is the seal ; 'of which creature the following interesting little story is told. The author believes the story himself: why should not we ? It ought to be transferred to the Boy's Own Book, or any work pecu- liarly adapted to interest and at the same time improve the youth- Ail feelings.

.. ',About fortyyears ago a young seal was taken in Clew Bay, and domesticated in thelitchen of a gentleman whose house was situated on the sea-shore. It grew apace, became familiar with the servants, and attached to the lion* and family; its habits were innocent and gentle, it played with the children, came at its master's call, and, as the old man described him to me, was 'fond as a

• dog, and playful as a kitten.'

"Daily the seal went out to fish, and, after providing for its own wants, fre- quently brought in a salmon- or turbot to his master. His delight, in summer, was to bask an the sun, and in winter to lie before the fire, or, if permitted, I* The customary thatch in parts of Ent% ereep.intssaltederge evenosdiiiii- - -that time 'I.:MINN* theiegolavierpendage 0-f an Irish kitchen.

" For four years the seal' had been thus domesticated, when, unfestinnately, disease, called in this country the crippawn—a kind' of:paralytic affection tithe limbs which generally ends fitally--attacked some back cattle belonging to the

master of the house ; some died; others became infected; and' the customary cure produced by changing them to drier pasture failed. ctsvise woman was ma. milted, and the hag assured the eredulous owner, that the mortality among Ida

cows was occasioned by his retaining an unclean beast about his habitation—the

harmless and amusing seal. It must be made away with, directly, or the clip. pawn would continue, and her charms be unequal to avert the malady. The superstitious wretch consented to the hag's proposal; the seal was put on board

a boat, carried out beyond Clare Island, and there committed to the deep,- to manage for himself as he best could-. The boat returned, the family retired to rest, and next morning a servant awakened her master to tell hint that the seat was quietly sleeping in the oven. The poor animal over night came back to hie beloved home, crept through an open window, and took possession of his fa. vourite resting-place. " Next morning another cow was reported to be unwell. Memel must no be finally removed ; a Galway fishing--boat was leaving Westport on her return home and the master undertook to carry off the seal, and not put him over- board until he had gone leagues beyond Innis Boffin. It was done—a day alai night passed—the second evening closed—the servant was raking the fire for the night—something scratched gently at the door—it was of course the house. dog—she opened it, and in came the seal ! Wearied with his long and unusual voyage, he testified by a peculiar cry, expressive of pleasure, his delight to find himself at home ; then stretching himself before the glowing embers of the hearth, be fell into a deep sleep. " The master of the house was immediately apprized of this unexpected and unwelcome visit. In the exigency, the beldame was awakened and consulted; she averred that it was always unlucky to kill a seal, but suggested that the animal should be deprived of sight, and a third time carried out to sea. To this hellish proposition the besotted wretch who owned the house consented; and the affectionate and confiding creature was cruelly robbed of sight, on that hearth for which be had resigned his native element ! Next morning, writhing in agony, the mutilated seal was embarked, taken outside Clare Island, and for the last time committed to the waves.

" A week passed over, and things became worse instead of better ; the cattle of the truculent wretch died fast, and the infernal bag gave him the pleasurable tidings that her arts were useless, and that the destructive visitation upon his cattle exceeded her skill and cure.

" On the eighth night after the seal had been devoted to the Atlantic, itbles tremendously. In the pauses of the storm a wailing noise at times was faintly heard at due door ; the servants, who slept in the kitchen concluded that the Banshee came to forewarn them of an approaching death, and buried their heads in the bed-coverings. When morning broke, the door was opened—the seal was there lying dead upon the threshold!"

" Stop, Julius !" I exclaimed, "give me a moment's time to curse all con- cerned in this barbarism."

" Be patient, Fraukf" said my cousin, " the finale will probably save pa that trouble. The skeleton of the once plump animal—for, poor beast, it pe- rished from hunger, being incapacitated from blindness to procure its customs food—was buried in a sandhi% and from that moment misfortunes followed the abettors and perpetrators of this inhuman deed. The detestable hag, who hal denounced the inoffensive seal, was, within a twelvemonth, hanged for murder- ing the illegitimate offspring of her own daughter. Every thing about this de- ' voted house melted away—sheep rotted, cattle died, 'and blighted was the corn.' Of several children none reached maturity, and the savage proprietor survived every thing be loved or cared for. He died blind and miserable. , " There is not a stone of that accursed building standin2-, upon another. The property haspassed to a family of a different name, and the series of ineesc:ant calamity which pursued all concerned in this cruel deed is as romantic as true.'

The next extract is an excellent chapter on "Flies ;" and owes its existence to a morning in doors. More good sense on this cu- rious subject we have not met with : it will be greatly acceptable to all lovers of "the gentle art," though much at variance with tic ordinary authorities. •

The breakfast was prolonged as much as possible; it ended, however, and my kinsman left me to give some necessary directions to his household. I seated myself in the window ; the view seaward was interrupted by the thickness of the weather, the rain dropped from the thatch incessantly, the monotonous splash of the falling water, the sombre influence of on dull and torpid atmosphere, gradu- ally produced a drowsiness, and I fell fast asleep over a dull collection of sporting anecdotes. Alv cousin's return roused me ; he placed a spider-table beside the window, and having unlocked a box filled with angling materials, "in great and marvellous disorder," proceeded to extract from a mass of unmentionable things the requisites for dressing a cast or two of flies. As my own voluminous book had been sadly discomposed in the numerous interchanges I made, when vainly striving to seduce a salmon to try my "tinsel and fine feathers," I proceeded to arrange my splendid collection, while my kinsman was busied with his ma simple stock. The disappointment I had endured in finding my flies so unpin- finable, had made me hold the entire outfit of the London artist in disrepute; and I would have given my most elaborate and expensive fishing-rod for the hazel angle of the ancient otter-killer.

"Frank," said my cousin, "you must not undervalue what really is unexcep- tionable ; I mean the mechanical part of your collection. Those rods axe beau- tiful, and your reels, lines, gut, and books cannot be surpassed; your flies may be excellent in an English river, so put them carefully aside, as I will supplY you with some better adapted to our mountain-streams. But what a one that book is !—In fishing, as in literature, the schoolmen's- adage heldsu--dfee bibles, mega kakon. Why, nothing but a soldier's pack would carry it. will soon, however, render you independent of this mighty magazine, by teach ing you to fabricate your own flies."

"I fear I am too old to learn; the art of tying mast, I presume, be acquired early in life, and brought to perfection by after experience." period of the season; the river was filled with fish, and constant service s tie flies passabl/; but "This does not always follow : I did, when a boy, having left off fishing when I removed from my native river, I fingot

and depended on others for my supply. The person. who furnished my cusro. lines fell sick, and it unluckily happened that his. illness occurred in th Doom wore out my scanty store. Necessity is the mother,—you know the prour.erb,. .t I was sadly reduced; ground blunted hooks and patched ravellingborileV„!.. last, my stock was reduced to half-a-dozen, and-that half-dozen to perfects ue?' tons. What was to be done? Alan is an imitative animal,-I endeav0ureU9 fabricate; produced something between a bud and a bee; tried again, satra_.,71 better; and before my artist had rebovered, by the shade of Walton! -1 Gow turn. out a reputable fly."-

"I believe I must make an a ttempt."

" You shall succeed ; and as a preliminary, I will put you under thee z e tutela.r . of my worthy neighbour, the Priest ; observe his style of casting, and marK ` facility with which he send, j five-and-thirty feet of hair and gut across tred broadest pool. I fish toleral Jly, but have repeatedly laid aside my rod to ardor the beautiful casting of this, perfect masten of the angle." "-He ties a very handsome fly, no doubt."

" I won't say that, —he ties a very killing one. I expect him presently; and as the day is wet, I'll leave the materials ready ; and to-morrow, if the rain ceases soon, we shall prove the value of Ins flies." "As we are on the subject of tying, I must observe, that the advantage one .derives from being able to construct his own flies is wonderful; in fact, without

attaining this accomplishment in the 'gentle art,' no one can fish comfortably or successfully. No stock, however extensive, will afford a supply adapted for every change of weather and water, and a maii may lose a day overlooking an interminable variety of kinds and colours, in a vain search after one killing fly. Not so the artist : the favourite insect being once ascertained, he speedily pro- duces an imitation, and fills his basket, while his less fortunate neighbour is idly turning the pages of his overstocked fishing-book.

"I had two sporting friends, who were excellent instances of this. Colonel g.— was an ardent, and, I may add, a very tolerable angler. No one went to more trouble and expense in procuring the most approved flies ; he never tied, or attempted to tie one, and he assured me he had many hundred dozens in his possession. To find a new fly was, with him, sometimes the labour of a day ; and when about to try another Water, he would spend hours toiling through his iumaime variety, before he could succeed in discovering the necessary colour and description. I have st.sin him, with Job-like patience, labouring through end- less papers and parcels in search of a paltry insect, that I could fiibricate in five minutes.

46 His companion, Captain B—, ran into an opposite extreme. He rarely had a second casting-line, and seldom a second set of flies. Did the day change, or the river fill or lower, he sat down on the bank, ripped wings and dubbings from his hooks, and prepared a new outfit in a twinkling. I never met an an- gler who was so certain of filling a basket as my friend B—. His system, however, I would totally disapprove of. Without burdening oneself with enough to furnish out a tackle-shop, a small and effective collection is desirable, and it is absurd to lose a fortunate half-hour tying on the river bank what could be more conveniently fabricated during the tedium of a wet day within doors. An accident may rob the most discreet angler of ids flies, and surely it is necessary to have a fresh relay to put up ? But though I take a sufficiency along with me, I never leave home without being provided with the materials for construct- iug new ones. An hour may bring epheiner* on the waters, which you must imitate, or you will cast in vain ; before evening they will have vanished, and given place to some new variety of the insect world. Thus far, at least, the tyer possesses an advantage over him who cannot produce a fly, that no collec- tion which human ingenuity can form will compensate. "The best practical lesson I ever got, originated in the following accidental occurrence. Some years ago I received private information, that a travelling tinker, who occasionally visited these mountains to make and repair the tin still's used 1,y the peasantry in illicit distillation, was in the constant habit of destroy- ing fish, and he was represented as being a most successful poacher. I was re- turning down the river, after an unfavourable day, a wearied and a disappointed fisherman, and observed, at a short distance, a man chased across the bogs by several others, and eventually overtaken and secured. It was the unfortunate tinker, surprised by the keepers in the very act of landing a splendid salmon ; two, recently killed, were discovered in his wallet, and yet that blessed day I could not hook a fish ! He was forthwith brought in durance before my honour, to undergo the pains and penalties of his crime. He was a strange, raw-boned, wild-looking animal ; and I half suspect Sir Walter Scott had seen him before he sketched Watt Tinlin in the Lay. He was a convicted felon—he had no plea to offer, for he was taken in the very fact. But he made two propositions wherewithal to obtain his liberty—' He would never sin again, or he would fight any two of the captors.' My heart yearned towards hnn—he was, after all, a brother ; and, admitting that rod and coat were not worth threepence, still he was an adept in the gentle art,' although the most ragged disciple that ever Izaak boasted. I forgave him, dismissed the captors, and ordered him to

the lodge for refreshment. My honour had no sport, and he looked carelessly at my flies. Would I Condescend to try one of his ?' He put a strange-lOok- ing combination of wool and feathers on the tasting-line. There was a fine pool near us—I tried it, and the second cast I was fast in a twelve-pound salmon ! My ragged friend remained with nie some days ; and in his sober intervals, few sad far between,' gave me lessons in the art that have been more serviceable than any I had hitherto acquired."

The author has taken great pains with the subject of natural history : his observations are all either confirmed or supported by numerous extracts from different writers, such as Sir HUMPHREY DAVV, Colonel HAWKER, and other authors on sporting animals, and form at the end of each volume very agreeable appendices.