the second, "Don't say no," looked as if she had been drawn, tailforemost, through a forest of hollies. For the Oatlands, Lord Kelburne's Muley Moloch colt walked over, as did Equation for a 200 sovs. Sweepstakes, which ended the day's sport.

Wednesday, 13th.-The Fifty-pound Plate, with which the business on the heath commenced, ended in a dead heat between Eringo and Garry Owen, at the second attempt the young one winning in a canter by making the running. They laid odds on the loser, and found out, when the race was over, that much travelling is not his forte. The Column, the first event of interest, brought out six, but, till within a few minutes of the start, it was doubtful what nominations would constitute the field. It was a close affair with the first three-Flytrap, Mr. Batson's Acacia colt, and the Duke of Portland's Souvenir filly, the former winning by a head, and a dead heat for second place. But Mr. Batson's colt was horribly ridden, and he will see a better day. In consequence of the announcement that Chatham would not go, the odds jumped from 3 to 1 against Flytrap to 2 to 1 on him, so that if any little bird had whispered any little gentleman that such a contingency was probable, there was a good thing to be made of it. Archy, Eusebia, and Lord Chesterfield's Young Petuaria colt, were on indifferent terms with the other moiety of the field. For a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs., three fillies, all that were named, came to the post, and a particularly nice mare of Lady Chesterfield's, called Dil-bar, won in a canter, beating Equation, and the Duke of Rutland's out of Flambeau's dam. She is in the Oaks, and I think will be backed; but, despite her undeniably racing pretensions, she strikes me as rather too dainty for the scurry at Epsom. Once over the hill, she would be a dangerous one to stand against, but there's many a stout heart broken before the first half mile of the Derby course is conquered. A walk over for a snug Sweepstakes, and a pair of forfeits paid in as many matches, wound up the day's pleasure.

Thursday, 14th.-As the Gurney controversy will probably be in some train of settlement before the May number of this work is published, it will be better to leave unrecorded the unpleasant allusions to it current at the present moment. It has drawn the Jockey Club into a position similar to the memorable dilemma in which that Society was placed at the latter end of the last century. Let us hope it may not be necessary to adopt similar measures to dispose of it. The principal event of the day, indeed of the meeting, was that which headed the list,- -a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, fifteen subscribers. It was the finest day of the week, and the only one that at all exhibited the heath in a holyday form. The company was numerous and good, the sport of a fair average promise, and something like the old spirit pervaded the ring. After some sharp betting on the field at 6 and 7 to 4, Chatham being the favourite, five gathered for the trial, and an attempt get off was made. While they were yet behind the post, in his effort to jump off, Chatham hit one fore leg against the other, and, throwing a summerset, sent Nat over his head, and broke the poor fellow's collar bone, besides giving him a nasty blow on the foot. He was instantly picked up, however, his horse caught, popped into the saddle, and away they set. Of the race, it need only be said that, as soon as it pleased Day to call on Canadian, he went to the front, and won as he liked.

to

Barrier, who ran a jade, was second, and Chatham (very much astonished, but not at all distressed) fourth-Robinson having licked Espartero into the third place, for Nat had no arm left for threshing. I suppose I must admit that Chatham might be expected to produce better "timbers" than the sample exhibited at Newmarket; but did not Phosphorus and Crucifix, in latter years (to say nothing of the miracles of old) get handsomely over Epsom Downs on crutches; and if Marson did train his horse upon plough, how was the Queen of Trumps made fit to win the Leger? The 200 sovs. Sweepstakes, worth, minus per centage (a matter to be discussed some future opportunity), a round thousand, Colonel Peel won with Archy, beating Flytrap (who was third) to the full amount of the 5lb. which he gave him in the Column. One don't like to be thought too fastidious, but, certainly, for a race over the classic sod of Newmarket, it was very bad at the price. The Fifty-pound Plate, for all above two-year-olds, a problem in stable mathematics, paraded a dozen of all sorts, and a right earnest contest ensued. It was a slashing fight, and Currycomb won it, to the galvanization of his old proprietor, Mr. Osbaldeston, who swore (I was going to say) that henceforward nothing should astonish him. If "The Devil among the Tailors" wins the Derby, however, I am disposed to think the Squire will have another surprise, and an agreeable one, too. The Vaccillation Stakes brought together (at the startingpost, that is) Sir Harry-the Dirce colt, Espartero, and Tedworth, the former winning from end to end in a canter. The subsequent betting about him for the Derby was 60 to 1, which seemed odd (and odds) enough, considering that they backed him at 30 to 1 a month before, when he was dark. There were several events announced for Friday, none of which came off, and therefore the worshipful company did, as soon as Thursday's racing was brought to an end.

66

NEWMARKET FIRST SPRING MEETING.

Newmarket, Monday, April 25.

The misunderstanding that has so long existed among the leaders of the turf requires notice here, but I really am so sick of the controversy, that I hold it a matter of conscience to dispose of it in the smallest amount of words by which its results can be made known. Since the panic upon the last Derby, Lord George Bentinck and the Jockey Club have been at issue upon a matter that neither had any legitimate right to meddle with. People who gamble on racing should settle their concerns as others similarly situated are wont. That one who loses money should make it a condition of payment for the winner to purge himself of all suspicion of debt, is turning reason to scorn. I rarely bet, but having wagered and won, should the loser seek to settle with me through the medium of a note of interrogation, if it was in my physique I would deliver my opinion in a manner he should remember for a while. To return to the quarrel;-the Gurney account has not, I believe, been adjusted; and the matter remains pretty much where it was taken up, save that Mr. Thornton has reduced the assets by some £1,200. Nevertheless, there was a meeting of the Jockey Club to take into consideration Lord George's un-Olympian language; and his Lordship having expressed a regret for his incivility,

the Club was satisfied, the accouchement of the mountain terminated, and all is "as well as can be expected."

A poet, in describing the step from winter's dreariness to summer's sunshine and beauty, effected between the last and the present weeks, would have an opportunity for saying fine things about Apollo's lusty rising from the couch of Aurora, and the like. Never was a more delicious change; and if there had not been a race-horse within fifty miles of the town, a run down here, "to meet the sun upon the Warren hill," or anywhere else in the neighbourhood, would have been a natural luxury, cheaply purchased at a far greater effort. This morning, as early as six o'clock, the town was astir, and hacks were to be seen cantering off to the various exercise-grounds. There are as many horses in training in the town and around it, as I have known for years, but the quantity far exceeds the quality. Of this, however, the performances of which I have now to speak will tell their own tale. So dark a Derby as that to which we are now looking forward, is not within my memory, nor one on which so few books have been made. I heard Crockford say he had not begun his in the Craven week, and many of the great bettors round have been similarly shy. The racing to-day began with a Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, which Hawk's Eye won, beating Rover by a head, to whom he gave 16 lb. for his year. Then came the 50 sovs. Sweepstakes, for three-year-old fillies, T.Y.C., the winner being the Ladye of Silverkelde Well, that, in the Craven Meeting, could not have kept in front of an honest pig, had such a quadruped been qualified for the Riddlesworth. There was a good race with a horrid lot for a 10 sovs. Sweepstakes, won by Mr. Green's Zany's dam colt; and then followed two matches, in the first of which Oakley beat Garry Owen over the T.Y.C., and in the second, the Duke of Portland's Ruth filly Lord Chesterfield's filly, out of Carew's dam. In a 20 sovs. Sweepstakes, D. M., Flambeau beat Ballet; and then there was the 50 sovs. Sweepstakes, with three to start and two to race, as the rumour went; the pair being the renowned Eleus, some time favourite for the Derby at 16 to 1, and Rosalind. The latter won, the former going "like a horse's head to a bonfire." Ralph, in a match, A.F., gave Proof Print thirty-four pounds and a beating; and Flambeau won the Fifty-pound Plate, last three miles of B.C., cleverly, with which the day's work was brought to an end.

Tuesday. The sky is as deeply blue, and the sunshine as dazzlingly brilliant, as in midsummer. Never was more gorgeous weather. By noon the town was filled a bumper; four horse drags dashing in from Cambridge, while, in humbler conveyances, the neighbouring population poured in like the tide at spring. The appearance of the course was infinitely more akin to Epsom on a gala day, than exclusive Newmarket heath; such a Two Thousand Guineas anniversary I never remember. This was as it should be; and so was the evident fact, that betting was dull and spiritless. Large as the assemblage in front of the rooms was, the Derby was hardly spoken of, and the great event on the tapis was speculated about with unusual apathy. Perhaps the Gurney affair did it; perhaps the memento moris, in shape of defaulters, and men backward in coming forward with the amounts of their several small accounts, permitted to frequent; the Coffee-room yard, might aid-but so it was. By one o'clock, the splendid expanse of turf

spreading from the Turn of the Lands to the Ditch was densely occupied, as the cavalcade swept onwards towards the R. C., the scene of the first race. This was the Queen's Hundred for mares, for which four went a fine, slashing daughter of Plenipo, Barbara, winning by a dozen lengths in a canter. Bellissima beat Florence quite as far for second place, which was pretty well for a stale cocktail. Two matches followed, the first of which introduced another cocktail to the classic sod of the T.Y.C. This was Uffington, by the Colonel, out of Mr. Delmé Radcliffe's capital mare, Lady Emily, whom her owner had brought to see her son run. It was a close thing with Ends and Odds, (who, however, gave him a stone), so close, indeed, that Mr. Radcliffe offered to run it again for a hundred, but the proposal was declined. Buffalo, 8 st. 7 lb, beat Hawk's-eye, 8 st. 2 lb., Ab. M., for Colonel Peel is not in force this season.

Now came the all-important Two Thousand Guineas race, the field for which was an investment that few would have at 6 to 4. Meteor, the favourite, was a dark horse, that public report made the best of the lot, and so he was-and might be, without being an Eclipse. Eight started, and Meteor won, hard held, in a canter; and they laid some 25 to 30 to 1 afterwards against him, for the Derby!! Wiseacre was second, looking as stale as a post-horse (when post-horses were in fashion); Misdeal third, a weedy-looking little animal; Archy fourth, and Rover fifth, a good, substantial piece of horseflesh, but, to my thinking, troubled with the slows. Lord Orford's colt, out of Petulance, would have won, had he been moderately fit, but he coughed, and was all over queer, and Lucullus could not have won had he been turned loose. He is leggy, lathy, long, and lazy, and I would not have him at a gift to run for saddles.

In fact, there couldn't be a more shocking horse

Produced, between a clothes-horse and a rocking-horse.

What a fortune would have been made of a three-year-old racer such as Plenipo, Glencoe, or Crucifix, well engaged, in this season of grace! A 300 sovs. Sweepstakes, 100 ft., eight subscribers, B.C., was walked over for by Eringo; and Mr. Thornhill and the Duke of Bedford divided the forfeits. It is really a pity to see so excellent a sportsman as Lord Exeter with such a deplorable team as he has at present in training, and his two-year-old stock, I fear, will turn out no better when they come to run.

Wednesday.--The sun was streaming in at my window at six o'clock, and I rose to look upon as pestilent a horde of knaves as ever infested a Christian community with their presence I am not going to do sentiment on the question of prize-fighting; but if the gladiators were a little more respectably attended, it would add to the character of their exhibitions. The gentlemen who, on the present occasion, drew to Newmarket the broth of the felonry of Whitechapel and Bethnal Green-interspersed with a few out-and-outers from May-fair and St. James's, were Messrs. Broome and Bungaree, the latter an aspiring young cannibal from Van Diemen's Land, who, being on the grand tour, was desirous of tasting the whole round of English pleasure. I hope the taste gratified him, as he will be prevented for some time from enjoying any more of our sights: he told a sympathizing friend of mine, who called on him soon after his defeat," he didn't

expect as how he should see his nose again for a fortnight." The town was utterly deserted till three o'clock, when the people began to return from the battle-field, and make the best of their way to the heath. There were four races in the list, two to run, and other two to walk over. The racing began with a 20 sovs. Handicap, for which Bellissima, 8 st. 10 lb., beat Eleus, 6 st. 12 lb., the latter having actually backers to fancy him against a field of four! To this succeeded the issue that was to present Attila, for the first time, to the public in his three-year-old form. The field he met for the 100 sovs. Sweepstakes, ten subscribers, D.M., consisted of Palladium, and The Devil among the Tailors. It was a burlesque upon a race, for he could have carried one and beaten the other a quarter of a mile. Looking at the sample of the season's three-year-old stock that has appeared-unless there be something prodigiously better behind-the Derby is all over but shouting. Attila goes far more like a racer than he shews to the eye. He is evidently as sound and fit as ever horse came to the post, and it will take something a stone better than we have yet seen to beat him on the 25th of the present month.

Thursday. Still the same transcendant weather that has marked the course of the week. We have a list containing seven events for decision, and a better field (numerically) for the One Thousand Guineas Stakes than I had calculated on. The first five races were of too trifling a character to call for mention in this summary of a meeting that occurs upon the eve of the publication of the number in which it is given. I come, therefore, at once to the great race of the day, which brought seven to the post: Lord Exeter's filly out of Amima, the favourite, at 7 to 4 agst. her. As soon as they got off, Lord G. Bentinck's Firebrand made the running, and carried it to the cords, where Lord Exeter's mare went in front, and kept her place till a few strides from the chair. There Rogers made a rush with Firebrand, and landed her a clear length first without a touch. Eliza was thirdPassion reported amiss-a bad fourth, and the others beaten away. This result was certainly not anticipated as Lord George purchased Mr. Wilson's Oaks filly, by Voltaire, out of Yorkshire Lass, yesterday for £900.

In my anticipation of this race in the "Morning Herald" of the 25th. ult., I said if anything like a field should start, I should certainly recommend it to be backed in opposition to the opinion given in one of the sporting journals of the previous day, that "Eliza, Equation, and the Amima filly would probably compose the field, with a certainty' as to Eliza's winning." The following were the latest odds about the Derby favourites: Firebrand done at 8 to 1 after winning the Thousand Guineas being the only Oaks betting I heard. Attila, 5 to 1; Frederica colt, 6 to 1; Auckland, 18 to 1; Jack, 22 to 1; Meteor, 25 to 1; and the same against the Lord of Holderness.