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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-incon. venienced 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.

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 openiug of the pagcaut 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 imperia) prize at Ascot Races, in presence of the British sovereign and he 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 polioy of tle event by various contrivances. He had been publicly backed for large sums : it was said that Lord Eglinton had bought, or would buy, hin, 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, he million learnt that their animal would not go for it. They were focish enough to ask why and wherefore. This is an impertinence which in future the public may as well save themselves. Gentlemen run heir horses, or let it alone, as it suits their books: not as it suits heir 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 p:ouet, ting before the Stands, off they set, Little Jack of course makig the running ; next was Woolwich, the Trouncer, and last “ Wind," as the profession call him. As they rounded into the straight ground coming home, Woolwich collared "the little 'un," and accoipanied him to the Grand Stand. He then gave him the go-by, and ron cleverly by a length. “The other pair of cripples," as I heard gentleman observe who had forgotten to put on a shirt when he hade his morning toilette, were nowhere. The St. James's Palace Sakes-5 nominations-was run a match between The Ban, with 5 to on him, and Midas. The favourite won easily by a length. Sir Josep Hawley beats Midas, on the turf. His quality of fortune does not mrely 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
For gentlefolks that rides in chaiser,
But not for thim that walks, by ."

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 wero 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 by a length. Thus ended the Royal Races at Ascot, in the year of the world's rendezvous. Ungracious words are the monosyllables, “I told you so !” but sometimes they may be of wholesome application. The palpable falling off in the character of the great race meetings of the present season is a result that was foreshadowed in these pages. But it is not too late to save the turf from its impending jeopardy. Will not its chivalry rise to the rescue ?

Contemporary with Ascot was the East Riding Meeting, in the north--a sporting tryst, but not of sufficient account for especial notice here. The succeeding week was brimful of Olympics. Space, however, can only be accorded to an epitome of two meetings, those at Manchester and Moulsey Hurst. The metropolitan junketting claims place, so we proceed to introduce Hampton to the curious in cockneys. The Hurst—whilom famous for its Fistiana-has long been, and still continues to be foremost among the metropolitan holiday racing reunions. Its Olympian anniversary falls in the season when summer is in the prime, Its position is one of rare sylvan beauty-moreover it enjoys a heritage of habit-a succession of infinite importance to places where people congregate. The management, malheureusement, has not been in good odour of latter years. A practical man, indeed, took it in hand when “Jimmy Ducks” was superannuated; but somehow or other, things are not ship-shape there : perhaps it is not essential they should. This year the “ added money,” after deducting £20 for expenses, amounted to four hundred and sixty-five pounds. Wednesday the 11th ult. was fine. Thursday, 12th, was foul-rain from noon till night ; and the Cup day at Hampton was a melancholy failure. On the first day there were six races, exclusive of heats : on the second, five, heats not included. Like all its south country predecessors of the present year, it was remarkable for the falling off in the character of the company. Haud meus hic sermo"-only : I am not solitary in my analysis. “Bell's Life” thus described it...... “ The Stands were crowded ; and the attendance altogether was excellent : we are bound to add that it fell short in quality, and that the pickpockets were in immense force.” The sport does not call for note or comment.

Contemporary with Hampton was the summer meeting at Manchester. There cannot be a more appropriate introduction to it than the statement that, after deducting £45 “for expenses," the net amount of " added money” was twelve hundred and ninety-five pounds !...... There were three race-days-seventeen races--to sixteen of which there was money added, varying from £300 to £30. It is to be presumed that masters of race-horses will presently be aware of the meetings which best deserve their countenance and support. At all events, it shall not be for the want of data furnished by these pages. No incident of the sport calls for particular notice. The meeting is as yet without any monster betting-race-a state of things that the industry- for which the locality is renowned-is sure to provide a remedy for presently. In the sinews of success it is a financial Hercules-let those, whose office it is to apply them, bear in memory the moral of the goose and the golden egg. They will assuredly have the laugh against the unjust steward, of whom it shall be said "de te fabula narratur." Public people, who owe their position to public opinion, would do well not to lose sight of the proverbial uncertainty of such a tenure.

EDIA

Skipping a mass of country meetings, we come to the twin-tryst Bibury and Stockbridge. The former, by failure of a race for the Bibury Stakes, was all but limited to one day-a very full one. It opened with the victory of the colt by Epirus, out of Enterprise, of Derby memory, for a Produce Stake of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 13 subs. He was at one period of the traffic backed at 7 to 4 on him, but left off at 6 to 5 against him. A Plate of 70 sovs., for all ages over two years old, produced seven amateur jocks at the post, the winner Capt. Little on Remunerator. The Champagne Stakes, for two-year-oids, Aitchbone won, beating three others by a neck ; 6 to 5 on him. A Plate of 60 SOYS., for two and three-year-olds, Longreach won in a field of eightcleverly ; and Guardsman having walked over for the Bibury, the list was wound up with a Scurry Plate of 70 sovs., handicap, won by Shropshire Witch. The “all but one day'' was ousted by means of a Handicap Plate of 40 sovs., made for amateur riders on the Thursday; three ran for it, and Sagacity, with 5 to 2 on him, won. Then followed the Stockbridge moiety of the meeting. It was put on the scene with the Third Year of the First Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 35 subs. The field mustered three. The odds were 5 to 2 on Cariboo, who made ducks-and-drakes of it, winning by eight lengths, or the like. Second year of the Second Triennial Stakes, 36 subs., induced 5 to show. They laid 7 to 2 on Lamartine. It was a race between the favourite and Glenhawk, the latter being only beaten at the finish by three-parts of a length. First year of the Third Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 43 subs. This came off with six runners, Kingston backed at 5 to 4 on him. The result was two dead heats between Chief Baron Nicholson and the favourite-the pair ultimately dividing the stakes. The Stockbridge Plate, of 50 sovs., for all ages, heats, closed the catalogue with three of those remnants of a barbarous age; won by Woodsprite, the best of three. Great things are promised at this Siamese meeting in 1852.

Contemporary with Bibury and Stockbridge, were Newton races-ex. tending, however, over three days. There was a “ dotation" of five hundred pounds, and, as the ring told you with a crow, “ lots of betting ;" but the ensemble was not brilliant. The weather might have been better, and so might the attendance. Winchester races fell also in this week. They were not profuse of sport. Cariboo was allowed to walk over for the Queen's Hundred, and cheerful won the Original Hampshire Stakes by a head, in a field of four, A Produce Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds, six subs., was run a match between the colt by Venison, out of Passion, 2 to 1 on him, and Mary Bland. The favourite won by three parts of a length. Two other events were proposed, but they did not come to any. thing.

Newcastle Races occupied the last week of June. They consisted of the now regular four days; and between fine weather and a good bill of fare, resulted satisfactorily. The feature of the meeting was, of course, the great handicap-The Northumberland plate. For this seventy animals were subscribed, and a field of eight paraded. I have neither time nor disposition to analyze the mise en scene of this weight for wisdom issue. The favourite was Uriel, at 6 to 4 against him. The winner was Neasham, one of the foremost of the field for the Derby. His weight was 5st. 4lbs.--that is to say, 3st. 3lbs. less than he ran " forward” with at Epsom. The North Derby Nancy won. What light this throws upon the character of the Chester Cup race, people will peep through for themselves. The fields were short at Newcastle ; it may be worth the speculator's while to calculate what they are likely to be in the month upon which we have entered. The meetings announced for July amount to three-and-twenty; to which may be added a few “byes." Among them are the leviathan reunions of Liverpool and Goodwood. Will backing horses be good policy under such a pressure of circumstances ? passing the question, is it ever a sound discretion? How many promising investnients will a fortnight of the present weather - I write on the 27th of June-.put hors de combat ? The summer tryst at Newmarket, which dates coutemporary with this number, will not do much for the Derby of 1852. Lapidist, one of the Market lot, is in the Chesterfield Stakes, and the stable is distinguished for the form of its two-year-olds. The July may give the ring a pot, but not upon foregone premises. The meeting, however, is not looked to by the profession. It is featureless as regards the foreground, and in its prospective barren of interest for the trade. Malgre this "great discouragement," I should say to one of our foreign visitors who asked me where he might sec a sample of English racing—"Go to Newmarket to-day."

SALE OF MR. DRAKE'S HOUNDS: HIS COUNTRY, &c.

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These celebrated hounds have passed away from their late worthy owner, and are now dispersed into different hunts in England. Assuredly few packs of hounds would have drawn together more determined bidders for them ; and never did I see à larger “ gathering' of huntsmen than on the present occasion : at every turn some well-known face was recognized. They assembled from north, south, east, and west. Amongst the M. F. H. who were present, I noticed Lord Henry Bentinck (Burton Hunt), Sir Watkin Wynn (Wynnstay), Messrs. Henley Greaves (Cottesmore), H. Villebois (Vale of White Horse), J. Morrell (Old Berkshire), Hall (Holderness), Lowndes (Whaddon Chase), T. Drake (Oxfordshire), Trelawney (Lyneham), Lawley, Kennedy (Kildare), Ruxton (Louth), &c., several ex-masters and country gentlemen.

Amongst the huntsmen were to be seen Will Long, J. Jones, Ben Foote, T. Balls, J. Walker, Harry Ayris, J. Dinnicomb, Geo. Carter, Wm. Goodall, Ben Boothroyd, C. Payne, T. Wingfield, J. Hills, W. Butler, Dickens, Stevens, C. Treadwell, Will Danby, cum multis aliis.

The hounds were put up in twelve lots, each lot consisting of eight

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