THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Permit me discursively to supplement your interesting remarks in the Spectator of July 11th on the new edition of "The Condition of Hunters" by " Nimrod " (Charles James Apperley). You aptly say that Turner's plates of hunting scenes added much to the charm of the old edition, but are only fairly well reproduced. This applies also to the old and modern sporting publications (in magazine form) respectively.. The steel-plates in the old Sporting Magazine, to which " Nimrod " was such a frequent contributor, were in some instances excellent, and vastly superior to the work of to-day. • The deterioration is, however, no reflection on the proprietors of modern publications, as unfortunately steel-engraving work for magazines has practically died out. It is not necessary to be a horsy personage to appreciate " Nimrod's " papers in the Sporting Magazine that appeared three-quarters of a century since. The excellent English he employed, and the insight into manners and customs of old coaching-days con- veyed by these writings, added greatly both to the charm and interest of this publication. The Sporting Magazine began in 1792 and ended in 1870. The late Mr. Toovey, a prominent Piccadilly bookseller, said twenty-nine years ago that it was sometimes worth his while to give 21 a volume.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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