-a baker's dozen of nominations pitted Sittingbourne-with 3 lbs. extra-Frank Butler, and 10 to 1 on him, against Lord Exeter's Cobnut. Now, as the champion only contrived to win on the post by a neck, it was no 10 to 1 joke. As Nicholas of the North would say, Sittingbourne's jaws were just strong enough to crack the Cobnut. The third year of the Triennial Stakes of 10 sovereigns each, &c., &c...46 subscribers, was contested by half-adozen-a point of odds on Weathergage-6 to 1 against Ilex. Having duly circumnavigated the heath, Ilex finished a length in the van. A pitiful performance, as a whole. A Sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns a piece, 10 subscribers, being compounded between Sittingbourne, Scandal, and Grapeshot-the word was "home-en route."...

Only for the name of the thing, and some pretty picking for "the property," Wednesday might as well be a dies non, as an integral incident of the Ascot "week." It is, in short, wolves' Wednesday, an occasion for turf alchemy, and ring transmutation....The sports began with a Chicken Sweepstakes for three year olds-four runners, of which Cock Pheasant, backed against the field, was all to sticks, the best-a winner by two lengths. The Coronation Stakes, the Ascot Oaks, had 15 nominations. Of these, three "showed"-betting 5 to 1 on Catherine Hayes: sola in the market. She carried half-astone penalty for winning on the Surrey Downs, which all but put a flier hors de combat, or the Oaks field was a low average. In this instant race she was walloped in first, by a head-Mayfair being her antagonist for Kohinoor was nowhere. For the Fernhill-two and three year old amalgamated-Stakes, albeit twenty-one entered but five went. The favourite was Cheddar-7 to 4 versus 5 to 2 ditto Field Marshal, and one or two others, with offers against them. The pick of the lot won-by a neck. Then came the Royal Hunt Cup a handicap-with 60 subscribers, but undoubtedly with no characteristic apropos of the Chase. A great crowd of the motley was telegraphed, while the circle was at work backing one-out of the thirty"up"-at 6 to 1 against him. This was The Friar, a three year old, for a hunting cup, carrying five stone ten pounds! Pelion, with the weight of another "lad" up, was at the same price--and miscellaneous animals were laid against, wherever anybody was caught asleep to back them. The course is "The New or straight Mile," and, of consequence, a horrible scurry it was. However, The Friar got out of the ruck about the distance, and, heading his odds confederate, who finished next to him-won by a length. The first year of the Fifth Ascot Triennial Stakes, &c., &c., for two year olds, with three-and-forty nominations, produced a race among eleven. Meteor was backed at odds fluctuating between even and 6 to 4: Glenstrae was the next selection at 4 to 1, and double that amount was suggested against anything else. Flatman, however, won on Bribery-a filly of Lord Bruce's-beating the pick by a length. The start was not felicitous. The list was finaled by the second year of the Fourth Ascot Triennial Stakes, &c., &c., for three year olds: 43 subscribers. It was a struggle to back Sittingbourne at 6 to 4 on him: 7 to 4 was taken about the Reiver, and 10 to 1 laid against Filbert. The start was a monster muddle-nobody's fault, but a great many people's misfortune. Seeing that it was, or might have been, supposed that

:

this would throw some light or lines upon the Leger, it necessarily begat much interest, and subsequently considerable concern, to say nothing of confusion generally. It was given to be understood that when "coming to the scratch," the favourite hustled the Reiver, and that the Reiver therefore "countered" and attempted to swallow him catching hold of his crest between his teeth in a most unfair and unhandsome manner. What else was "up" while this row was being discussed, did not transpire. Certes the alacrity with which the fiat was pronounced, strongly contrasted with a similar instance of contretemps that took place recently at the post on Newmarket Heath. However, while this cannibal combat was in process, down went the flag, and figuratively defining the consequence, "pop went the weasel "--that is to say, off went Lord Exeter's two, that constituted the field. To lounge upon one's hack, or against the wall of a privileged Stand, and watch one's brace of nominations cantering over cheek by jowl, taking a breathing spurt for a hat full of moneyif this be not a foretaste of paradise, what is it? All this while murder and parracide were in the souls (if they have such things) of the backers of the hippophagus. Says Marlow, on his arrival at the scalessays he...." Why don't you go, Marlow?" (Marlow was astride of The Reiver, and Butler upon Sittingbourne)" asks Mr. Hibburd." "Because 'tis no go," was the response. "Yes it is," rejoined Mr. H.; "and a d-d pretty go, too, and no mistake!" re-echoed the Ring. And that's all about it...... My private opinion is that there are conditions which forbid the possibility of ensuring a satisfactory start, as matter of course; and when I see some poor provincial made to eat dirt because he don't do what's not to be done, I think it's "hard boards"....

Thursday at all times intrinsically the best, because the best assured of the royal presence: a tower of strength-on the occasion at issue was graced with the adventitious aid of fresh, fair weather-by no means a matter of course in these islands and days, even in mid-summer. The mise en scene was right gentle and aristocratic, and the carte was of a character befitting such goodly company. Of the regal cavalcade and its concomitants, that which has so often been said has but to be understood in the present instance, to convey an idea of its peculiar and national identity. August, without an iota of ostentation; perfect in the simple elegance of its appointments; it is, sooth to say, the beau ideal of English equipage, "from top to toe." Its more imperial features are not within the province of these pages. The distance of the heath from the railway stations which represent it, is both a great inconvenience to those who travel by steam, and a heavy blow to their exchequers. It entails ten times the trouble, and five times the expense, to reach the course from Windsor, that it costs to pass between Windsor and the metropolis. It is singular that the meetings, having more direct reference to the capital, are difficult of access precisely in the ratio of their, popular importance. Hampton -the more especial resort of the bourgoisie-is at every Londoner's door. Epsom is the cul de sac of its own line, with a mile and a half of hill to scale when you get to the end of it: while Ascot Heath, as before said, is further from the termini of its feeding rails, than they are from their spring-head. Her Majesty, contrary to her custom,

arrived some time after the hour named for the first race. That the Queen's appearance was the signal for one common and heart-cordial expression of loyalty and love, needs no telling here. Business opened, on a small scale, with a sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each, h. ft., for three-year-olds. It had eleven nominations, sending three representatives to the post. Of these they laid 2 to 1 on Cobnut, which showed their learning, as he won by lots of lengths in a canter. The Visitors' Plate, a handicap of the five-and-twenty entered, mustered half a score. The quality was below the quantity—the winner was Torment-the finish a farce......

"A Piece of Plate, value Five Hundred Pounds, the gift of His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias "this is the gala trophy of the meeting, and under the especial conditions which attended its anniversary in 1853, was by no means shorn of its interest and account. It was not possible to look at it, bright and brilliant as it shone before the thousands who flocked to say they had seen it, without calling to mind that axiom of transcendental chivalry which Sheridan puts into the mouth of Sir Lucius O'Trigger......" Let your courage be as keen, but at the same time as polished, as your sword." The original entry for this Olympian prize of price counted two-and-twenty. Seven ran for it, and without volunteering the odious discourtesy of "comparisons," or individualizations, it may be permitted to say that they comprised the best animals for a distance in this land, and consequently in any other, should occasion arise to solve that problem. The anticipatory ceremony is pregnant with appropriate pomp and circumstance. The saddling in the Stewards' Stand enclosuresolemn and eminently artistic-with half the peerage forming a ring around the elective champions; the array and parade in front of the Royal Pavilion; the ensemble unique, constitute a sporting tableau to be seen only in merry England: a title national wherein-more's the pity!-pars must not be mistaken pro toto. The betting, which was fast and furious, does not seem to have been as judiciously ordered as circumstances warranted. It is the last straw that stops the camel, and a horse in due course of experience acknowledges the effect of "all work and no play." The following quotations will probably establish the assumption that sufficient weight was not attached to this scrap of homely, but practical philosophy. Odds: 5 to 4 against Stockwell, 3 to 1 against Kingston, 4 to 1 against Teddington, 8 to 1 against Ninnyhammer, 10 to 1 against Defiance, 50 to 1 against Lady Evelyn, and 100 to 1 against the Indian Warrior. They came away-there is little need to say in eulogy-upon excellent terms. The earliest at work was the extreme scabies of the market, making running-save the mark!-for Mr. Morris's other. After the descent from the Swinley post, a small alteration in the policy became obvious. The racehorses now began their part in the performance in lieu of looking on, while the outsiders cantered in the rear. Anon they swept round the final turn into the straight "stretch" for home. Here it was at once evident that the Cup was reduced to a match, the pair being Teddington and Stockwell. Up to the distance, albeit the pace was ruthless, and all but stride for stride, Marson had a purchase on his bridle, and was waiting for the ultimate convulsion. At the Grand Stand it was a breathless moment for the book-worms,

Job's proverbial patience being their last agony. It was here that the artist felt, though perhaps not exactly in the words explanatory of his sensation, "Aut Cæsar, aut nullus! His horse

gave a lurch, and then a heel to port,"

the rider returned the compliment, stuck to him,

"And rushing on head-foremost, won, in short."

A more brilliant finish was never seen, and was a worthy successor of the exploit of that same Job Marson

"When Nutwith won the Leger,
In the year of

"

"the leary dodge"..... Norman rode Stockwell. Some of the tailers met with miscellaneous misadventures; but beyond a few hard thumps there was nothing to signify.

The New Stakes, the most intrinsically interesting event of the four days, did not come out quite as strong" as its custom is-of an afternoon, on the Cup day. There were thirty-nine nominations, and but a dozen at the post. This is accounted for by the betting, which forewent the conclusion, backing one to win at 6 to 4 on him. This was Autocrat, in next year's Derby and St. Leger. The odds fluctnated between 3 and 12 to 1 against the others. Templeman rode the champion, and consequently, though he won in a canter, the length was a comparatively short one. Up to Doncaster, Autocrat will be the despot of the Derby market: The tag-rag and bobtail were "poor indeed." Another "moving accident," as relates to the coming Leger "field"-the St. James's Palace Stakes-paraded a quartet of the dozen subscribed. The Reiver was even with the other three 5 to 2 against Speed the Plough; the same about Cobnut; and 10 to 1 against Veteran. Lord Exeter's horse, as usual, made the running; the favourite next; and the other pair toiling after them in vain. It seemed a race from the Grand Stand, the Reiver having the best of it by a head. It will be hard hedging for such as hold quartos about West Australian...... A Fifty Pound Handicap Plate Lord Exeter earned, with one of his bunch of Nutwiths-Hazlenut, 6st. 4lbs. The Windsor Town Plate, for all ages, Baron Rothschild bore off with Hyacinth; and the day's sports were closed.

66

Friday, at Ascot, might sit for Lord Byron's " evaporation of a joyous day".

"You feel like one who treads alone

Some banquet-hall deserted;

Whose guests are fled, whose garland's dead,

And all but you departed."

The Grand Stand took £1,857 10s. on Thursday, and forty pounds to-day!...... "Base things, sire, base." The card announced as overture the Wokingham Stakes, a handicap of five pounds a-piece, without one pennyworth of premium, Tom Oliver's Battery won, mounted by Oliver Junior: it was the only way to "do it at the price." The Great Western Stakes, another handicap, but with £100 added by the railway so called, another of the Nutwiths, from the Burleigh team-hight Nutpecker-won, after a rattler with Index, giving 16lbs. The distance was a mile, and the length of the tail may more easily be imagined than described. A £50 handicap-the

Swinley Course-Waverley won from a lot of low degree; and once again was Nutwith, still represented by Nutpecker, victorious; the Second Class of the Wokinghams -five-pounders, without premium -falling to the fortune of the noble marquis. Grapeshot triumphed in Her Majesty's Plate; as did, iterum, Lord Exeter with another Nutwith-to wit, Noisette, for the Borough Members' Plate...... Inexorable "management!" "what is fun to you is death to us.' Be warned in time" mend it, or be rid on't." It is not a royal prefix that can of such "contempt" make "grace." "Slick" sayeth sooth:-"A title without the raal grit ain't worth much.".....

Hampton is still every inch a Cockney Carnival. It troubles its head as little about stakes and plates, as a real Adelphi piece does "to hold the mirror up to Nature." "Spectatum veniunt : veniunt spectentur ut ipsæ"-and also in the masculine gender. People go to laugh, and be laughed at. London and Westminster inaugurate Saturnalia, and Moulsey Hurst pockets the affront. Noble lords "shy" at "knock-'em-downs;" while grisettes rain influence, and bag the prize. Tents overflow with flirtation and bitter beer. Smart young men lose gloves, that they may pay their wagers in envelopes inscribed......

"If you from glove will take the letter g,

Then glove is love, and that I send to thee."

Augustus Fooks-principal of the fancy department at Messrs. Slap-up and Bang's, of Tottenham Court Road-came to business on the morning of the 17th ult., with both his eyes in mourning, and his nose inclined towards his left ear, at an angle of 45 degrees...... It is said (but this is entre nous), that the house was called up the overnight to bail Bang out of the police-station in Vigo-street......

"Pleasure, thou art indeed a pleasant thingAlthough one must be d-d for thee, no doubt." If you don't believe the bard, try the Hurst next season.

Having given Beverley and Hull a cavalier "go-by," Bibury, Winchester, Stockbridge and Co. must content themselves with a passing word. "The less said," on some occasions, "the easier mended." Changes and chances have affected-and not profitably -the characteristics which distinguished that Olympic tryst "lang syne:" literally the term does not apply, but in the spirit.

"We take no note of time but by its loss."

But let that pass...... Bibury Club Races occurred on the 22nd ult. They are semi-amateur, and altogether popular. Without reference to the passages cavalier, the most interesting comprised the opening Sweepstakes for three-year-olds, 50 sovereigns each, h. ft., for which they laid 5 to 2 on Orinoco, won by Letus in a canter; and the Champagne, a two-year-old stakes, with half a score runners. The favourite was Rosaline, 2 to 1 against her; and they took 3 to 1 about John o'Bruges, and longer odds against Bay Celia and Remorse. After full many chops and changes, the favourite went in first, cantering. The list contained half a dozen races...... The day fol lowing was the Stockbridge anniversary. It was an eminent success; a re-union-how welcome!-of the class whilom the representatives of the British turf. Seven events came off; foremost of them the Third Triennial Stakes, for four-year-olds, 43 subscribers, were run á