matchless advice on the Chester Cup, on receipt of a stamped envelope and sixpence. All these immortals were there; and so were thousands upon thousands of the drawers of beer, and boobies. Punch! it was perfect! Honour was lavished on the profession of letters!...... "The Black Hole set apart for writing was unendurable," says Bell," and all the light obtained was from three common dips, for which even snuffers were not provided' Moses and Co. can furnish your artist with the costumes......

I am unable to state from personal knowledge whether it should be drawn on "the square," or on "the cross A competent authority touching the Handicap wrote:-"While Contentment reigned by anticipation in the minds of the backers of the horse, an opposite feeling pervaded the majority of the Ring, whose books were wofully upset by the vacillations which have occurred with reference to Contentment for many weeks past. It however turns out now" (always the day after the fair) "that there was a power behind the curtain, over which Mr. Parr, as the reputed" (?)

horse up to Monday last, had no control, and therefore we may cease to wonder that many of the Ring fell into the mess they did, in consequence of following the operations of parties who, like an ignis fatuus, led them astray".... I confess I cannot see the sequitur. In the Book Calendar nominations for the "Eighth Year of the Great Metropolitan Stakes," we have "Mr. R. J. Southby's b. c. Contentment, by Archy." Four days before the event came off, the writer here quoted commented thus upon it :-" They who again invest on Mr. Parr's champion are the most likely to meet with Contentment"a paragraph evidently indicating, though indirectly, that Contentment was "Mr. Parr's." In the return lists of the race, the third is set forth as "Mr. J. M. Stanley's b. c. Contentment." Now, is it not inferred that because of this shifting of impropriation "many of the Ring fell into the mess they did," and that to "a power behind the curtain" they are to attribute their misadventure? I volunteer no opinion upon this proposition; but I take leave to observe, that in the stables of the true representatives of the British turf, no such will-o'-the-wisp work is going on. For the Derby, 1853, Contentment is entered in the name of Mr. Sadler. Now which of the Marquis of Exeter's three-year-olds is to be traced through four sponsorial aliases during the two first months of his year's engagements? Without offence to Mr. J. M. Stanley, or Mr. Thomas Parr, the Book Calendar assigns, during the present season, five godfathers to this uneasy Contentment. Carrying 4st. 7lbs., he is beaten by rubbish-and he has been backed to win the Derby!

This brilliant Spring Meeting at Epsom-whither they carted you from London Bridge, indiscriminately, anyhow, at a hundred per cent. excess of the ordinary tariff-cannot be said to have distinguished itself by any especial excellence of sport; so it may claim exemption from particulars. At Wensleydale Steeple-chases about this time a Handicap of that ilk was run for-stakes, ten shillings each, four subscribers; and contemporary leather-plating occurred at Newton. Let that pass.

The week following, professional gentlemen gathered together on the fair Heath, where as clever fellows pitched their tents twenty centuries or so before them, bent upon the same mission. Newmarket Craven Meeting, without being the worst of the seven legitimate

Olympian weeks, has certainly not the reputation of being one of the best. To increase the flavour, within the few last years a Handicap has been infused into it; but a race on the Heath, with all sorts of "ill-weeds" "turned loose," is not likely to be very attractive. The sheet-list, issued on Monday the 11th ult., for the five days' amusement, was sufficiently respectable as to quantity, but the quality was low. The season was the kind of season it has been since the commencement of the autumn of '52. You didn't know whether it was going to hail, rain, snow, or freeze; but you had no doubt that it was not going to be pleasant weather. They are talking of "progress in the policy and material plan of Newmarket, as a racing resort. Suppose the "List" proprietary were to take it up, as the Licensed Victuallers have the Metropolitan rendezvous. The hint can do no harm: I hope it may do good...... Passing the make-shifts, the opening day gave us once again an old familiar feature The Riddlesworth its thirty-ninth anniversary. It had, alas! but four nominations, and was run a trio. Constantine-the only one of the quartet anticipated to represent the stake-was the only one that did not show. The winner was out of the same stableHybla, in the Oaks; but not of a flavour to be "sweet" upon. The Sweepstakes of 100 Sovs. each for three-year-olds, three subscribers, came off a match between Lord Exeter's Filbert-one of his bunch of Nutwiths-and Lord Stradbroke's nomination-William Rufus10 to 1 on the former. However-no, not however, because nobody can say "however "it happened; but it did fall out that he was beaten by William Rufus-"The Duke of Richmond's," according to the cards. What wonderful things in this life are upon "the cards"!...... Spain and "The Spanish"-Turkey, and how to carve it!...... A Produce Stakes of 300 sovereigns each, half forfeit, Diomedia walked over for. A proper produce stake-£300 for nothing!......

Tuesday is the handicap anniversary......Imagine yourself on the Heath, hard by "The Ring," and the sparring on the plates and sweepstakes which precede the important struggle as the ordinary preliminaries of the regular "set-to." One of the feints-past or present, but a right good one-was the issue of another Sweepstakes for 100 sovereigns each, for three-year-olds, wherein the fancy laid odds on War Whoop, whereas Filbert polished him off slick as eternal "Sam." Diomedia won the Riddlesworth peculiar to the day: seven subscribers, four runners, 200 sovereigns each, h. ft.: a nice little nine-hundred "nibble. They do things "slow and sure" in that confederacy. The Newmarket Handicap, with eighty-eight nominations, brought to the post seventeen. It reads like "gammon" -in such a race, at such a place-one at about even against 87: nevertheless so it is, the best you could get being 5 to 4. Ethelbert didn't win. To go into analysis of a handicap when it has come off is like spelling over the bill of fare when you have dined with what appetite or relish you may, according as the plats were pleasant. Well, they laid a point, put at the extreme case, against Ethelbert (I could tell you why if I would), and 12 to 1, more or less, against Talfourd, that an hour before ran Diomedia to a head, giving her eight pounds, and carrying a load of 8st. 7lbs. ; but why or wherefore I know no more than they did. For this event Talfourd had three stone four pounds less up-a preparation which possibly induced him to conclude there was nothing on his back but the saddle. However

that may be, off he goes, sailing up the hill from the turn of the lands to the Duke's Stand as though he were sliding down a montaigne Russe, cantering in first by three lengths-a length for every stone and four pounds for the head aforesaid: another "throw in," to some purpose, for the list legion; but, between us, they do say that the discount "the trade" have to allow the "tips" for their " goodwill" and expense (advertising by the wire is no joke), sadly skims the gold off the gingerbread. Then look at the "fix" they may find themselves in! One of the fraternity thus pleads to public sympathy through a public channel of 17th ult., winding up by announcing "he will take legal proceedings against any one who molests him after giving this notice, hearing that hostile threats are held out against him." That's one side of the medal; here's the other......" The flattering letters and valuable presents I have received this week (after Epsom) have fully proved how delighted my friends are with our success. My information is given to benefit, not to delude" (I'm afraid that's a betting-office bait). "Five per cent. expected from all real winnings-that is, over and above all losings." Not exorbitant

terms.

Wednesday, so far as relates to its interest, was represented by The Column; and here, again, they argued, after it was over, there was a screw loose. Out of twenty-three subscribers four sent their steeds to the starting post. The Ring betted 6 to 4 on Defiance, and he was beaten by Filbert-again flooring the talents-giving a couple of pounds. The favourite was one of Sir Joseph Hawley's team. A Match, wherein Lord Glasgow's Doublethong received from Lord Derby's Two Strings, was a curiosity in nomenclature. This Doublethong was beaten like a hack by Pharos this day for a three-year-old Sweepstakes. Pharos is the shining Derby light of the Goodwood stable, and the only nomination his Grace of Richmond has in the

race.

Thursday opened with the Zetland Stakes, won by the noble sponsor's Comfit. Whether, looking to the conditions of the result, the performance was one of any account, remains for another trial to expound. Shortly afterwards, within the hour, Defiance again showed for another defeat. Esop was a philanthropic, if not a practical, economist. Defiance had a hard tussle for the Zetland, but couldn't "stay"-a word of characteristic application in the groom's vocabulary. Small Plates and Chicken Handicaps finished the feast.

Friday was the evaporation of the week. The only item, with any pretence to flavour, was The Port, but it could boast no Bee's-wing. Home-brewed had "the call," but he was nowhere at the finish, whereof the tail was as that of a comet. King of Trumps won. The three-year-olds of the generation immediately preceding the present were not flyers. What if it was run "false," as the phrase goes?-that is, maybe the animals engaged in it didn't run “kind."... These are the materials whereof is constituted that which is proverbially pronounced "the glorious uncertainty of the Turf!"...

In a magazine article professing to treat of contemporary racing it would be treason if "York," on at the time it was written, were "wanted." This northern spring tryst occupied the 19th and 20th of the past month. The first of those days produced-per Book Calendar, and subsequently by issue-five races, whereof The Zetland Stakes constituted the two-year-old ordeal. This Horatio was

backed to, and The Wild Huntsman did, win. Then came The Flying Dutchman's Handicap, with two-and-thirty nominations, and a field of half-a-dozen. Here, again "form" vindicates its Turf vernacular, and Talfourd, with his Newmarket penalty, is the winner; Hobby Horse second. I trust his noble owner was not "well on.' The Selling Stakes Desdemona won, as ditto Lady Agnes The Champion Handicap; and with the "looming" advent of Honeywood to the premiership for the Derby, the first day closed.

Wednesday, the second and last, was dull and indifferent, as related to the sport. It opened with The Eglinton Stakes, for two and threeyear-olds, at 7st. and 9st. respectively. There were half-a-score nominations, and it was run a match between Vindex, with 6 to 4 on him, and Lord Zetland's Ivan. It was bold betting, in the face of a two-stone allowance for a year between a two-year-old, late in April, 1853, and a three; but it was "Pooh! pooh!" before the race, and Pay? pay? afterwards. It is worth note how uniformly, compararatively speaking, the favourites were disposed of at this meeting. In the present instance Ivan cantered in before the "certainty." The Londesborough Handicap had one-and-twenty nominations, and six runners, all of them placed. It was won easily by The King of Trumps. The Consolation Scramble was an easy victory for The British Farmer; it was a handicap. The Innkeepers' Plate-a triothe colt by Irish Birdcatcher out of Surprise had the best of by a head, and the list was exhausted. At this time 4 to 1 was the nominal price of West Australian for the Derby, and Honeywood was at 7 to 1, with backers. A little week will throw some light upon the line of speculation which is ultimately to be promoted by the market. The venue now moved to Malton for the 21st and 22nd, the following days. Here handicaps were the staple, the Malton of that ilk, with an entry of fifty, retaining two dozen acceptances; of these seven ran, and Leopold won. Then there was amateur riding, and some handicap handiwork, whereof a part bore the title of the "Birdsall"— were they "Pigeons" all? This division of the "plunder" fell to the fortune of Lord Londesborough, with Toosey. So much for classic Malton.

The close of April was, in atmospheric quality, a sample of the weather from October to March! This augured ill for the great trials of the Newmarket First Spring Meeting, to whose epitome the following hurried notice relates. The opening day of the meeting kept the word of promise; Monday, the 25th ult., being constituted of snow and rain-merely. All else harmonized with such débût : the attendance was bad-the sport was bad--and, as the favourites won in the majority of instances, the betting was what is conventionally called "bad" also. The racing was without interest, either past, present, or prospective. Tuesday, with its memorable and accountable Two Thousand Guineas Stakes, was little better. The storm it raged, the rain it deluged, and the sports they began with befitting severity. First in the pleasure development was the Mares' Plate, over the Round Course, the most distant of the Heath's trysts. It came off a quartet, and was won by an outsider, Pancake "out of the fryingpan into the fire."...Then there was a Match, for the first moiety of the Abingdon Mile, won from Senorita, 8st., by Hesperus, with half a stone more up. A small Handicap Sweepstakes, Child-of-the-Mist most characteristically carried off; and a brace of other Matches

being disposed of, of no value to anybody except the winner, the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes were put upon the carpet-if courtesy permit such application of hyperbole in reference to the Ring of these presents. Out of an entry consisting of thirty-six a party of seven was telegraphed for the essay. The policy which preceded its appearance at the post has already been alluded to; and--as it was a sealed book beyond the faintest of whispers, and they told of everything but the fact-we will proceed to the catastrophe. In spite of wind and weather, the industrious wrought amain: the figure or price current being 6 to 4 on West Australian (certainly the pick of the lot, to look at), 7 to 2 agst. Orinoco, 7 to 1 Barbatus, 8 to 1 Filbert, and 20 to 1 -take your choice of the remaining trio. Down came the rain, and the "field" from the bushes: already its symmetry was done for, and it was obvious that the Ring was right. The winner, without an effort, was West Australian, half a length behind him being Sittingbourne, said to be notoriously amiss; then Barbatus, beaten off; then Orinoco, "out of it," most emphatically; and so the "murder was out." Upon what possible pretence Orinoco was introduced to public patronage, did not transpire-of course. It was a stroke, probably, of the policy. Olympic economy is a mythy myth. To this great event succeeded more matches in the category of their predecessors, some little stakes, a walk over, and the amusements were over. Betting, it is needless to say, was there in formidable array; but, save by the profession, and a sprinkling of the accustomed company, it was not a Two Thousand Guineas day, chivalrously mounted.

Wednesday was the first true vernal day of the season, but the character of the occasion was not in sympathy with the gracious "skiey influences." The attendance was limited, and for the most part to those whose company could have been the easiest dispensed with. There was an ample list on paper, but three of the most valuable stakes were walked over for; a brace by Lord Exeter's stable. A sweepstakes of 50 sovs., h. ft., for three-year-olds, across The Flat, had Sittingbourne among its eight nominations; but he was prudently "bottled, seeing the elevation in the Derby odds which is setting towards him"at flood." "There is a tide in the affairs of men," and also of horses; wisdom takes it before the turn. .. Diomedia won this race, just beating Cobnut on the post by a head. There was nothing else, in fact, calling for especial notice. Theory was in consider. able force and activity; West Australian offered a tempting margin for hedgers, and no doubt the inducement had the effect of sending him back in the market, where he was receding as the afternoon advanced. Mr. Gratwicke's horse was going up rapidly. If the "report" of Sittingbourne's failure was a ruse, it was well done when it was done, because it was done quickly, or "with a rush," in the phrase of the vernacular. All the handicaps came off in favour of the fielders; "industry will prosper."

Thursday's mot must, from a press of circunstance, be confined to Thursday's race, par excellence. For the Thousand Guineas Stakes eleven ran, and Mentmore Lass won, proving prejudice was too sweet on Comfit and Hybla. For Sylphine the Squire's ill-fortune with the family may be cited in mitigation. And as the prestige of P.S. is proverbial, let the finale find favour which suggests that so far the Surrey riddle has been as little read as in any season within my

memory.