the First Spring were also won by him. It is well known that he did not stand to shew at Epsom, having gone amiss immediately preceding that Meeting. What fortune might have betided him had he been right, it is useless to conjecture, because the last Derby was the most unaccountable affair that ever defied the wit of man to form any opinion about. Achmet, although certainly far inferior to his magnificent brother, was nevertheless all over a race-horse, and since has acquired an interest apart from his performances, which will long preserve his memory at Newmarket, having been the last of the great winners of the Middleton Stud brought to the post by the late celebrated James Edwards. Those who saw him stripped for the Riddlesworth had proof that the last work of that extraordinary man shewed no lack of the skill and talent which had so long placed him at the head of his profession.

The SPRING Meetings brought out nothing of striking promise in the South. The betting, till within a fortnight almost of the Derby, was confined to the performers of the antecedent season, with the exception of Achmet. Still all agreed that poor as the field was, the speculation was worse: the few in the market were by no means at an average traffic, and the Oaks was a dead letter. The results of those races, with a full notice of each, we have already given. It will, however, be convenient to refresh our readers with one of the most remarkable features in the Derby. During the early part of the season, Wintonian was in the betting at a fair place enough generally third or fourth on the list. As the event approached, nine points were the highest odds against him; when little more than a week preceding the race, he went back to two hundred to one, came again on the day before the Derby was run for to eleven to one, and finished by being drawn at noon of the day itself. This is merely alluded to as a singular chapter of fluctuations, for the horse was publicly shewn to be utterly unfit to bring to the post.

We have thus briefly retouched the outlines of our former sketch of the early season's incidents, which included the Epsom Meeting, and there ended. REIGATE cannot be suffered to pass without a word upon the untoward disagreement which sprung out of the Reigate Stakes. For these the contest lay between Colonel Peel's Zenana and Mr. Robertson's Olympic. At the run in from the distance there was declared to have been a cross by the horse, and at the scales a complaint to that effect was lodged by Pavis who had ridden Zenana. When the Steward (there was but one on the ground) attended for the purpose of investigating the complaint, Colonel Peel stated that "he claimed the Stakes in consequence of his mare having been crossed in her track by Olympic." This expression, which is the professional phrase on the Turf for a cross, was evidently new to Mr. Bainbridge; he held that there could not have been a "crossing of the track" when the jockey complained against was leading, and consequently decided in favor of Mr. Robertson. Without entertaining the question whether there existed grounds, or otherwise, for the remonstrance of Colonel Peel, the principle of the Stewards' decision was manifestly wrong, and is another proof in corroboration of those already urged by us that the interests of Racing are by no means served by investing with the power, by which their decisions in all cases are declared to be final,

gentlemen probably in complete ignorance of the usages of the Turf. This truly spirited little Meeting should have nothing by possibility to interfere with its prosperity. Nowhere is there one more rapidly rising into popularity, nor one more deserving of it.

ASCOT was heralded by a prodigious flourish of trumpets. All its old abuses had been clean swept away: it was announced as about to appear bravely as a bridegroom from his chamber. Certainly there was an improvement in the Exchequer department; the Plates were liberal, but more than one accident tended to diminish the attraction of that right noble trysting. The knowledge that a Sovereign, who, having ever identified himself with his people's interests, was to all as a personal friend, lay in suffering and mortal peril within sight of the scene of their revelry, was enough, and more than enough, to have turned it into a place of mourning. The appearance too of his anxious and attached Consort, who so vainly essayed to pass for genuine the counterfeit smiles which in her kindness she had assumed; the concern and perplexity too visible in the children of his affection who were present; the gloom that hung over all his household-these had combined to turn the fair pageant, at which the Royal sufferer had so often presided, into a spectacle of gloom and heaviness. But had it even been held under all its best auspices, it would have been far from a brilliant Meeting: the weather was wretched, and, from whatever cause, the attendance very indifferent. Efforts had evidently been made to mould the stern nature of the course into something more resembling a spot whereon the business of the Turf might be said to be enacted without an Irishism, but still there is much to do. It never has been fit to run horses of value over in the season of arid midsummer: whether it ever will, remains to be seen.

There was a vast quantity of racing, but the quality was not to be commended. The only affair that was at all attractive, and which people went forth to see, was in pace less like a gallop round a racecourse than a gallopade round a ball-room: we mean, of course, the Gold Cup contest. As that affair was subsequently obnoxious to much vituperative observation, it requires a more particular notice than its merits would entitle it to. Hornsea had stood very prominent in the betting upon that race almost up to the time for saddling. He was then drawn, and therefore those who had backed the field declared that they were robbed of their staff of reliance, and expressed themselves strongly upon the breach of public faith which they thought fit to charge Lord Chesterfield with. Now they were wrong in principle in both these cases-the first in fact, the second as far as our opinion may serve as an authority. Those who had taken the field against Touchstone, as soon as it was known that that horse would starttherefore that he was fit-would have been in no wise the better or the worse had Hornsea never been foaled. Unless his horse had been up to the mark, in every way suited for his task, Lord Westminster never would have permitted him to ensure his certain destruction by starting to run over a course at the time as hard as marble. Lord Chesterfield has been too long on the Turf not to know this, supposing that he had not so good a councillor at his elbow as it is known that he has. No doubt he kept Hornsea in for the chance of any casualty that might

have put Touchstone out of the field. None arrived, and he wisely gave up the certainty of defeat, and the probability of winning the little bonus for the second, to reserve his horse for something better, and not altogether without hope. In the remarks upon this affair given by our Correspondent in his account of the late Ascot Races, he very justly says, "had his horse gone amiss, I admit that it would have been but courteous that an avowal to that effect had been made." We go farther we say that in honor no man can allow his horse to be backed with the knowledge that such is done under a false impression of his fitness, nor tacitly sanction by his silence any unfounded rumors concerning such nominations as are publicly engaged in his name. But was this so in the present instance? By no means: Hornsea was declared to be only indisposed to meet an adversary whom he had already tried and found too many for him. Of his racing fitness during the last season we have a tolerable proof when we find him, for the Goodwood Stakes, giving 2st. lb. to a good winner of his year (Lucifer). Where there may exist cause for complaint in aught connected with the interest of the Turf, we shall ever be found among the first to expose and denounce it, no matter who the parties concerned or what their station. Equally, as in this instance, will it be our pleasure, as it is our duty, to correct all unfair impressions that may be sent abroad to the mischief of those whose object we feel to be legitimate, and suited to the convenience of the Turf.

It is but rarely that any young one of much promise shews for the first time at Ascot. The best at this Meeting was Captain Fairlie's Hydra, by Sir Hercules. He won the Thirty Sovereigns Sweepstakes by half a dozen lengths, beating two; the second having run twice before a winner-viz. of a 25 sovs. Sweepstakes at Newmarket Second Spring, and the Woodcote at Epsom. For the rest, it is impossible to look at the Calendar without being struck with the great improvement shewn in the running of Lord Exeter's horses since they have been placed in the hands of their present trainer. Turner has restored the name of the Sporting Marquis's Stud; and that it may go on and prosper, is our fervent wish, for the Turf has not a more spirited, straight-forward supporter than the Lord of Burleigh. Neither can we open the page which registers the winner of His Majesty's Plate for Hunters at that Meeting, on its last anniversary, without feeling that something should be done to place that race upon the footing for which it was intended. Surely it was never meant to have been turned into a prize for which first-class race-horses might contend; and how easily it may in future be restored to its original purpose by disqualifying all reputed race-horses at any time from starting for it, and requiring that such as are permitted to enter should be not only provided with certain tickets (to be procured of right though the horse may never have left the high road, in the event of his being at the taking of so many deer), but that the Master of the Stag-hounds certify him to have been used as a bona fide hunter with the Royal hounds. This we mention, because in the first place it is what should be done in justice to the spirit of the grant, and also that we know the present condition of that race gives anything but satisfaction to the parties for whose especial service it was originally designed.

VOL. XVI. SECOND SERIES.-No. 93.

Dd

THE NEWMARKET JULY was one of the best they have had for years. The weather, the attendance, and the young stock, each was good, and necessarily the combination was rife with content. For the July Stakes Turner brought out a very fine filly of Lord Exeter's, who won after a fine race: she is in the Oaks, and, standing sound, will no doubt be a good favorite for it. She was beaten for the Chesterfield Stakes the day but one after, but her performance was quite as good as that wherein she proved successful, for she carried nine pounds extra, and, though not placed, ran well up with those that were. Anchorite, the winner of the Chesterfield, has since certainly not run to his promise upon that occasion: he is a singularly nice colt, and may shew very differently in his three-year-old form; we shall, however, have more to say of him before we close our notice of the season. During the Meeting Lord Suffield was twice a winner; little fish they were it is true, nevertheless even a nibble is better than a blank day. Had the course at Epsom on the Thursday resembled the last mile and a distance of the B. C. over which Caravan had his canter for the Town Plate here, it requires no one to come from the grave to tell us which way the Derby would have gone. Nothing of his year came up to the form of this splendid son of Camel. Should his legs standa fact we have reason to regard as more than doubtful-there would be in all likelihood a successor to Touchstone. At all events, Lord Suffield has nothing to charge Fortune with, for few, if any, have ever had such a debut as she has favored him with.

LIVERPOOL JULY MEETING had a good deal of interest for the speculators on the great Northern race. It brought together two leading favorites for that event; and for its Leger, at least, left their pretensions as little settled as before. Scott rode Cardinal Puff, and was said to have been put to his wit's end to win, while young Heseltine, who officiated for Slashing Harry, was not only defeated, but scurvily alluded to for his horsemanship. Notwithstanding this trial of these two nags, first and second favorites for the Doncaster St. Leger, Puff remained nearly seven points above Harry in the estimate of those whom it most concerned. It was not justified by their public running, that is quite certain, though the good judgment that regulated it was unquestionably established by the result of the event itself. We shall come to the Doncaster Meeting by and bye.

We cannot select a fitter place than the middle of the racing year to allude to a course opened during it in the immediate vicinity of London-the HIPPODROME, at Bayswater. When people become possessed of a new luxury or convenience, they forthwith begin to wonder how they contrived to do without it so long: thus steam and gas are now looked upon as necessaries of life. Not to go beyond our particular province, how the Sporting part of the London world had not a century ago discovered that an establishment similar to that this year opened at Bayswater was a necessary, we are puzzled to conjecture. Independent of its being a place of amusement so peculiarly national as almost to command success in that character alone, as affording the absolutely necessary trials to the purchasers of horses for the field, it seems unaccountable that such a scheme should have lain so long unattempted. Where, within a circle of a dozen miles round the

metropolis, was a man to seek for a fence to put a hunter at without the chance, almost the certainty, of being knocked o' th' head for trespass? Where could we find a gallop without risk of committing manslaughter? Or, foregoing the trial, what hope had he of ever bestriding a steed with a whole pair of bellows? In this regard alone no modern improvement in or around London has done more service to the metropolitan sportsman. As a race-course, it is of too recent date, and too unsettled in its arrangements, to justify the public in forming any estimate of what it may arrive at, or cause its spirited proprietor to feel any misgivings for its ultimate success. Another season, we trust, will enable him to mature his plans, and shield him, by a legislative enactment, from the heartless trespassers who in so un-English a spirit, have, under the hollow pretence of right of passage, partaken of those sports for which others so cheerfully paid, and which had been so liberally provided. One hint we may be permitted to offer Mr. Whyte. The Hippodrome, in its object, is intended to be a place for general equestrian exercise, and also for particular Racing exhibitions. To order the first of these, merely the ordinary description of attendants is necessary; for the latter he must have some one practically acquainted with the business of the Turf in all its details as manager and director. The eyes of the public are upon his speculation, and this is the time to make or mar it. The principle upon which the Meetings should be based is to afford the greatest amount of satisfaction to the largest number of people. Every encouragement should be held out to gentlemen to send horses; and every courteous effort directed to rescue his Plates from being made merely so many horse-dealers' God-sends. Our space will not permit a more lengthened notice of these matters, but if Mr. Whyte should deem our assistance worth seeking, we should feel much pleasure in offering him, personally, some suggestions that might be not altogether useless for his coming campaign.

GOODWOOD is now before us! le brave des braves: ever brilliant, but on this anniversary more than usually dazzling. Some of the richest Stakes known on the British Turf for years were made for this Meeting, and the most valuable Plate was run for ever recorded in our Racing Annals. The value of the Waterloo Shield presented by Lord George Bentinck was stated at £1000-the Stakes and forfeits amounted to £780. Now this ran the round of the journals as something "of itself its own parallel "-a tottle "to split the ears of the groundlings." It was doubtless a very pretty matter as times go, and a prize calculated to give a fillip to Turfites: and our Derby is nice picking, as well as other Stakes too numerous to insert. But it is proper that in our ignorance we do not exalt our horn too much on high. Let us see how stands the Turf in other lands. Among the nations of the earth none has, during the late year of grace, had so unenviable a notoriety for impecuniosity as America; what say her Calendars? For the coming Spring we find a Sweepstakes to be run for over the Long Island Course (one of the New York Courses) for the sum of Forty-four thousand dollars, and a Match over the Nashville Course (Tennissee), for Ten thousand dollars! Yes, brother Jonathan! we have read these things of thee, and for thy spirit we do thee honor, and if ever thou should'st detect a