seventy-seven pounds; at Chester to the amount of fifteen hundred and fifty-five pounds; and at Epsom to the amount of one hundred and eighty-eight pounds" errors excepted"-as regards fractions. What does the corporation of Doncaster say to that?...... I design to continue this analysis during the season, submitting to similar comparisons all our principal turf-reunions. It is the especial office of the journalist to watch over and record the practice and policy of such branches of social economy as come within scope and province of his purpose. The newspaper essayist discharges this duty anonymously, and with absolution for personal consequences. I am writing, not only without such immunity, but with a perfect consciousness that in adopting this principle I shall call into existence much bitter feeling, and point it against myself. I desire to offer no individual offence; but I am wholly indifferent to personal results upon a point of public duty. I see racing going to the dogs-I had almost said, to the devil -as fast as it can, and am not disposed to hold ny peace in such a jeopardy. It is already shorn of much that embellished it, and the organs of publie opinion are discoursing much subtle eloquence to its damage. One of the literary" weeklies," some short time back, thus commented on the turf as a national amusement- "It encourages manly sports-we say; knowing that, if we do not lie outright, it is a miserable quibble. Of all surviving manly sports' racing is the one that has in it the least of manliness: a sport performed by deputy, with all its excitement in a gambling venture, and surrounded by a whole atmosphere of cheating and swindling.... Again we say that it encourages the breed of horses-a breed of little practical use. The highly artificial requirements of the turf are not of paramount necessity elsewhere; and to our eye it looks as if horses used in some national employments were not improving of late-those of the privates in cavalry regiments, for instance.... The fact is, that racing is a custom that falls in with our habits-our rare holiday making; our railway and travelling facilities; our great collections of unassociated strangers; and our toleration of pecuniary rather than any other style of overt licentiousness.... Our aristocracy has not many remaining functions to attest its somewhat doubted utility in modern times: and if it would strike out new paths in amusements suited to the day-devise the Goodwood model of some better recreation-it might do vast national and social service, not more beneficial to society than creditable and useful to itself." Now, while professing entire ignorance of what the " Spectator" means by "the Goodwood model of some better recreation," I give it credit for a paragraph prolific with mischievous inuendo: possessing "meal and bran," but mixed into an unartistic mess...... Antonio." I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano- Gratiano. "Let me play the fool: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come: And let my liver rather heat with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans. Why should a man, whose blood is warm within, Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster? Sleep when he wakes? and creep into the jaundice What a fair way of life would he ensure for himself who made Shakspeare his "guide, philosopher, and friend !" There is no moral. contingency for which he does not furnish an antidote or specific. How not " apropos of the present peril of the turf is the axiom-" When sorrows come, they come not single spies"! It was not enough that the million rushed into the ring; that rogues rushed into the columns of newspapers, with offers to insure customers money ad libitum for twelve postage stamps; but sober journals themselves must needs have their especial soothsayers. It may be urged, they are only catering for the public taste; but it is with very unwholesome food. That it is a feast of reason" has been emphatically shown in the present year. One of the most able racing correspondents of the press, whose experience, judgment, and opportunity were sound data for success, has not been right in a single instance where a practical knowledge of the turf could best be brought into operation-I mean, in reference to the great weight-for-age races of the season, up to the middle of June. His selections were well advised: see how they turned out. For the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes-won by Hernandez-he announced The Mountain Deer as winner. For the great match at York-won by the Flying Dutchman-his choice was Voltigeur. For the Derby-won by Teddington-he selected Hernandez; and for the Oaks-won by Iris -Payment. For the Queen's Vase-won by Cariboo-he predicted Nancy; and for the Emperor's Plate-won by Woolwich-Trouncer. I do not propound these quotations, by any means, in a disparaging sense: I merely offer them as samples of the fruit of racing prophecy, gathered from a prime stock. It is but parcel of a bad policy; an item of Othello's "bombast circumstance." The fever must be near -if it has not actually reached-its climax, and the system approaching convalescence. Let us hope for a healthier condition, and neglect no course that may promote it. ...... Ascot Heath Races, despite their special appliances and means, ruled below the average in the social millennium. The weather was summer in her pouting humour; the sport not of a character to set before a court. People were plentiful enough, for with all the world on a visit to us, such a rendezvous could not fail in the matter of multitude. Moreover, Her Majesty honoured the revels with her presence: the Exhibition year will be memorable in the history of England for passages of intercourse between the Sovereign and the subject, quite beside the practice of modern centuries. At Ascot, as everywhere else, progress had put its best leg foremost. The lawn appertaining to the Grand Stand was raised, and other improvements had been effected; the ensemble being of a more sylvan character than common to such places generally. Business-as betting is termed-was bad: caution was the order of the day-which is, indeed, saying the same thing in different words. The sport commenced with the Trial Stakes, run a match between The Moor, nine stone three pounds, and The Sphynx, four stone six pounds! the heavy weight the winner-3 to 1 on him. The Gold Vase, given by Her Majesty, for which ten entered, had seven at the post. The odds were 3 to 1 against Prime Minister; 4 to 1 colt by Coranna out of Monica; 5 to 1 King Charming; ditto Cariboo; 6 to 1 Breba; ditto Little Jack; ditto Windischgratz. Nancy didn't show. As usual with the stable, Little Jack made the running. At the distance Cariboo and Prime Minister lay alongside Lord Excter's horse, and the trio raced home, Cariboo first, beating Little Jack by a neck; Prime Minister a very good third. Breba fell, and ran away when she got up, whereby a man, who had indiscreetly run into the course, was run over, and all but killed. It was fortunate she did no more mischief. A Produce Stakes of 50 sovs. cach, h. ft., for three-year-olds, 7 subscribers, came off a trio. They laid 7 to 4 on Merry Peal--a correct view, for she led from end to end, and won with all ease by two lengths. The Ascot Stakes, out of its 109 subscribers, had fourteen at the post. The odds were 4 to 1 against Ballet Girl ; 5 to 1 Vatican; 7 to 1 Abderhaman; 8 to 1 Vampyre; 9 to 1 Ninus ; 10 to 1 Pitsford; 12 to 1 Herbert; 15 to 1 Tophana; and 16 to 1 Aurora. The distance--two miles and a half-afforded room for many changes, though the chances were in a nutshell. It was evident before half a mile was run how the issue would be. At the distance Flatman went up with Vatican; beat his horses as he pleased, and won by three lengths. The First Year of the Third Ascot Triennial Stakes, 48 subs., and seven of the two-year-olds at the post. The betting was but 6 to 4 against Red Hind; 2 to 1 Moultan Lass; 4 to 1 Songstress; and 6 to 1 the Rebecca colt. The favourite - having won all through-finished first by a length. The Ascot Derby, 11 subs., was run a match. They laid 7 to 1 on The Ban; but in a rattling set-to he was defeated -a head by Phlegethon. The Second Year of the Second Ascot Triennial Foal Stakes-New Mile-48 subs. The field consisted of eight-Miserrima backed to win at even; 5 to 1 against Anspach ; ditto Deceitful; ditto Midas; and the same against the filly out of Celandine. Here the fielders threw out, for the favourite won as it suited her-finally by a length, in a canter. The Welcome Stakes came off a trio, won by Lamartine in a canter, with 2 to 1 on him. Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds. This was another trio: 5 to 4 on Plumstead; 2 to 1 against Hirsuta ; 5 to 2 against The Chase. This "boots" in the betting was first at the finish, cleverly, by half a length. It were Wednesday. Did the amount of matter to be dealt with permit it, this day calls for no notice beyond its racing facts. These commenced with the Fernhill Stakes, 12 subs., run a trio. They laid 2 to 1 against Adine. The winner, however, was Forlorn Hope-" never say die"!-beating the favourite by a head only-a very close shave. A Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 5 subs., came off a match, which Cornelius won, beating Prestige; 5 to 2 on the loser. The Royal Hunt Cup, 48 subs., mustered a field of two-and-twenty of these the favourite was Strongbow-7 to 2 against him, a great many others being at various prices, but the winner not mentioned. vain to tell what befell in the early part of this scuffle. As they drew near home the favourite and Sir Charles were fighting it like grim death, the latter winning by three parts of a length. The Coronation Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, 100 sovs. each, h. ft., 14 subs., was run a match between Merry Peal, with 5 to 2 on her, and Barcelona. The finish, a severe one, brought Merry Peal-it was stated, and admitted on submission for the Stewards' award-twice in contact with her adversary. Consequently the stakes were given to the owner of Barcelona. Old Jim Bland had a high respect for a wrangle, in the quality of an cprès. A Plate of 70 sovs. handicap, had half-a-dozen runners. The betting was 5 to 2 agst. the filly by Cowl out of Celandine: 3 to 1 Vasa; the same about Utrecht; and 4 to 1 Louis Philippe. The worst in the odds was the best in fact, Louis winning by a length. Her Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas brought out six. They laid 7 to 4 on Pitsford, and touched nothing else. The run in, however, was rather a nervous comment on the odds, the. favourite beating King Charming only by half a length. He was-it should be said-incouvenienced by the leading horses when he elected to come. The Windsor Town Plate was run for by a dozen, Betting: 5 to 2 agst. Preslaw, and higher prices about several of the others. The ring was right, for the favourite had it all his own way, winning easily by a length. 66 Thursday.—This is the especial fête day of the royal course. The Queen and Court were present-alas! that the skiey influences were unpropitious...... It rained "without remorse or ruth" from the opening of the pageant even unto its close-and long after. Presently we shall have to speak of a storm of a different character. The first event on the card was the Visitors' Plate. Seven were telegraphed to start. Betting: 6 to 4 against Ninus; 4 to 1 the Ballet Girl; and 5 to 1 Artisan. The favourite waited till they were near the Grand Stand; then he went to the front, and won easily by a couple of lengths...... A Piece of Plate, value 500 sovereigns, the gift of the Emperor of Russia...... If we did not live in an age that has seen thrones, principalities, and powers go a-begging, it might be fair cause of surprise to contemplate the field that in 1851 ran for the imperial prize at Ascot Races, in presence of the British sovereign and her court. In Olympic precedence they were thus placed: Woolwich, Little Jack, Trouncer, Windischgratz. But now there is nothing extraordinary under the sun. A horse that had previously made a sensation upon the English turf was mixed up with the policy of the event by various contrivances. He had been publicly backed for large sums it was said that Lord Eglinton had bought, or would buy, him. Lord Eglinton's manner of dealing with his race-horses is pretty well known, and as generally respected. Between one thing and another, Russborough was the great creature of the Emperor's Cup. The million invested on him. About one o'clock on the day of the race, the million learnt that their animal would not go for it. They were foolish enough to ask why and wherefore. This is an impertinence which in future the public may as well save themselves. Gentlemen run their horses, or let it alone, as it suits their books: not as it suits their horses' backers. Apropos of betting, let us peep into the ring. They are laying 5 to 4 against Little Jack; 7 to 4 Woolwich; 5 to 2 Trouncer; and 12 to 1 Windischgratz. After the preliminary pirouetting before the Stands, off they set, Little Jack of course making the running; next was Woolwich, the Trouncer, and last "Windy," as the profession call him. As they rounded into the straight ground coming home, Woolwich collared "the little 'un," and accompanied him to the Grand Stand. He then gave him the go-by, and won cleverly by a length. "The other pair of cripples," as I heard a gentleman observe who had forgotten to put on a shirt when he made his morning toilette, were nowhere. The St. James's Palace Stakes-5 nominations-was run a match between The Ban, with 5 to 4 on him, and Midas. The favourite won easily by a length. Sir Joseph Hawley beats Midas, on the turf. His quality of fortune does not merely turn all it touches into gold-his "gravel walks" are strewn with Koh-i-noors. The New Stakes-46 subscribers-induced a dozen to venture in the face of 6 to 5 on one-Brother to Elthiron. The others in the odds were the Queen Anne colt, with 5 to 2 against him; 8 to 1 against Grey Tommy; and 10 to 1 against Glenluce. The lot came on good terms to the distance, where the favourite got to the head, and, by dint of little George Whitehouse's hints, he contrived to keep there, and won by a length. A Plate of 70 sovs. handicap: nine ran: 2 to 1 against Despair; 5 to 2 Catalpa ; 4 to 1 Flare-up, and 5 to 1 Sphynx. It was a resolute spurt, won by Flare-up by a length, cleverly. A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 13 subs. Some of the talents laid odds on Runnymede; others-more wise or more lucky-backed Lord Exeter to win with Phlegethon or Phlegra. This trio constituted the field. Phlegethon led from end to end, and won easily by two lengths. The Stand Plate was a match between Preslaw-6 to 4 on him, and Joe Muggins-late Zadoc-"how are the mighty fallen"! The favourite did as he liked with the race, and won in a canter, and was claimed for £100. Thus finished the fun and now for dulce domum ......it's raining water-spouts. "Two score of miles a jaunt of 'aise' is Friday. An off-day at the best-when bad is the best-was, upon the occasion to which this notice relates, the worst of its many indifferent anniversaries: three hundred pounds worse than in 1850. The stewards got over it as fast as they could; and, with the reader's leave, we will follow so excellent an example. The first race was a Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, 5 subs. It came off a match between Convulsion and the colt by Cotherstone out of Layla. They laid 5 to 4 on the latter; but Convulsion, who waited till close to the Stand, won cleverly by a length. The First Class of the Wokingham Stakes, 11 subs., drew to the post half-a-dozen. They backed Ione even, and laid 4 to 1 against Cone; 5 to 1 against Sir Rowland Trenchard; 7 to 1 agst. the filly out of Lady Sale; and 10 to 1 agst. Remunerator. Very soon after the flag fell, Sir Rowland Trenchard and Cone were ding-dong at it. Eventually the former passed the post with the lead of a length. On the part of Cone, however, a cross was pleaded and proved and the stakes were awarded him. No blame was attached to Sir Rowland's jockey: it was his misfortune, and not his fault, like the spavin which affected Paddy Mooney's pony. A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 5 subs., was run a match between Phlegethon, with 5 to 2 on him, and Entre Nous. The calculation was a correct one, for the favourite won with ease, by a length. The Second Class of the Wokingham Stakes-of the nine nominations-mustered a field of halfa-dozen. The odds were 2 to 1 agst. Letter-press; 7 to 2 agst. Strongbow; the same about Faux-Pas; and 5 to 1 agst. Grief. Strongbow waited till they were within the distance, and then making his demonstration, won with ease by two lengths. The Borough Members' Plate brought out three. They laid even money on Emily; 6 to 4 against Reflection; and 5 to 2 agst. Utrecht. The wind-up was a close struggle between the trio, the favourite winning at last, however, easily |