papers, “were most unfortunate"-" so bad a week for the swells' is not on record.” Which of the prophets led them astray does not appear. Their especial oracle, so far as the season had progressed, spoke with most miraculous organ. Whether he “ drank deep” of the mountain dew alluded to by Gray—the Delphic spirit which reveals “coming events” to the “mind's eye,” or by the more mortal observance of signs and tokens-public performance and public betting—he arrived at his conclusions-certes they are startling in their accuracy. The racing correspondent of the Morning Post, in the year 1851, actually foretold its readers that Hernandez would win the Two Thousand, Aphrodité the One Thousand, Teddington the Derby, Iris the Oaks, Brother to Elthiron the July, Bay Rosalind the Chesterfield, Maid of Masham the Cumberland Plate, and I know not what beside. Now, much of this was against the current of opinion or prejudice, and shows that “Argus" had his eyes open to some purpose. Wednesday did not " draw" as it was wont, and those that were absent had less to regret than they anticipated when they didn't attend an illogical way of expressing cause and effect. The forenoon was fine, but the afternoon foul “ in the extreme.”. Such a drenching was almost a novelty at Goodwood, where truth compels the historian to record he has encountered some of the worst summer weather it has been his lot to meet-sub Jove. “ The attendance this afternoon," said the journals of the day, “was moderate, and the weather after three o'clock wretched, destroying the interest of several races” (to say nothing of principal invested in “garments," as Moses and Son call the ontward man and woman), “ and causing such a rush for shelter to the piazza of the Stand, and into the weighing-room, as to render it difficnlt to get through business of any kind." Your racing Grand Stands are like summer friendsgood for nothing when you want them most. But time will remedy all things. The Crystal Palace will do for architecture what the millennium will for human nature ; the material change, however, first by several lengths—the moral, a bad second...... First came a walk over for a Sweepstakes of 300 sovs. each, h. ft., for fillies, 3 subs.--the pedestrian being Anspach. Then followed a Sweepstakes of 300 sovs. each, h. ft., for colts, 3 subs., for which Hernandez was the pedestrian ; and the sports commenced with the Goodwood Stakes-the feature of the list116 subscribers, &c., &c. A baker's dozen went for this very animating issue, at the subjoined quotations :--The Grand Duke, 5 to 2 against him; 6 to 1 Duc-an-Durras, 8 to 1 Backbiter, the same Pitsford, 10 to 1 Narcissus, 12 to 1 Presto, the same the Miss Whip colt, the same Windischgratz, 20 to 1 Barton, and the same against Harpsichord. It is convenient to start with the statement that the courses at Goodwood are more complicated than courses are in ordinary. It is possible to mistake them ; while no brains, whatever their condition of bother,” could run out for the Derbyor Leger. The first contretemps was caused by Hurry Scurry --properly so called from her characteristics. In the preparatory canter she parted with her “ feather,” but it was stuck up again “ all right," and off they went. They packed pretty well down the course, the leaders round the turn to the left being Hurry Scurry, clear of the ruck, Windischgratz, Duc-an. Durras- pames untuneful !--Narcissus, and the field “ handy," as the saying is. When they got to the clump of trees on the top, you observed Duc-an-Durras bolt into the Plate Course, attended by Narcissus, and there you left them to their vakaries. “ Windy" was now the leader, the racketty filly next him, and so they faded from the view. When next seen the body was once more compact, the first to break bulk being Pitsford, who at this point began to * make play." Enough of the moves ---mark the catastrophe. The favourite is leadiug up to the Stand, Barton struggling to keep him company. Here Backbiter challenge, outpaced and outstayed the "* crack,” and won, somewhat cleverly, by a length. The pigeons despatched to London with the news reversed the return, putting The Grand Duke first, and Backbiter second. The " pigeons" of the metropolis felt this “the unkindest cut of all." ...A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with £50 added, &c., &c.--a selling stake-had four subscribers, and three of them at the post. They betted-sorrow had come upon “ the swells"-5 to 4 on Cheerful, 6 to 4 against Britannia, and 4 to 1 against Tordesillas. Britannia won cleverly by a length. The Drawing Room Stakes, 17 subscribers, came off a quartette. Odds, 5 to 2 llesse Homberg, and 4 to 1 against cither Sir Rowland Trenchard or Phlegetion. Little Midas made the first of the running, and, after a change or two, the favourite was in front, carrying all before her. Thus she was sailing into victory, when Fortune whispered Nat to “ take it easy," and Job Marson to “go in and win," which he did with one of those out-and-out rousings that won the Leger for Nutwith. Sir Rowland Trenchard was first, beating lesse Homberg by half a length. The Steward's Cup, of 300 sovereigns, 41 subscribers, mustered a couple of dozen at the post. The betting was intense : everybody was ready to lay against everything. The odds closed at 9 to 4 against Loadstone, 4 to 1 Newport, 7 to 1 Plumstead, 8 to 1 Ploughboy, 10 to 1 William the Conqueror, and 12 to 1 against “ anything.” What they did at the commencement of the fray-a six furlong fight-it boots not to tell ; neither were it possible did it “ boot.” The set-to from just below the Stand between Loadstone and Newport was a "stunner," the favourite “ doing it" by a head. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for three-year-olds and upwards, 4 subs., was run a match between Ploughboy and Turtle-2 to 1 on the former ; but the latter won by six or eight lengths, the favourite not fancying the thing at all. A Handicap Plate of £50, half a mile, induced fourteen to show. Betting brisk at the following figures : - Coticula, 2 to 1 versus ; 4 to 1 against Julia, 5 to 1 ugainst either No Chance, Constance, or Antigone, and 6 to 1 Teeswater. Julia made all the running, and won easily by a length. The Cowdray Stakes had 4 subs., and the same number at the post. Odds, 6 to 4 against Prestige, and 2 to 1 against either Maria or Lady Blanche. Like the foregoing, Maria made all the running, and won easily by a length. For a Sweepstakes of 300 sovs. each, h. ft., for fillies, 3 subscribers, Anspach walked over, and the day's racing was over. Dire was the distress of the retreat : down came the rain like Niagara, and Goodwood is a day's journey from anywhere! Thursday set in as became a holiday. There was sunshine and zephyrs, and all that sort of thing; and there was the Cup! The Goodwood " Cup" of 1851---by no means such pleasant tipple as the “ bottled velvet” compounded à la Sir John Bayley." Moreover, as it was announced by the newspapers, “ there was no falling off in the attendance of freebooters of every degree.” Think of that! " The thimbleriggers and varieties of the gambling fraternity were more numerous and more pertinacious than ever, carrying on their operations with impunity, and having in fact everything their own way''--think of that !-" while the clouds of smashers and pickpockets exceeded all former experience."......A graphic “ bit” of rural life in a nobleman's park...... The amusements began with a Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, 9 subscribers. Four went for this rich reward ; Claverhouse with 7 to 4 on him, 3 to 1 against Herschel, and 5 to 1 against Houlakin or Filius. The race seemed open enough till they reached the Stand, when Filius rushed to the front, and finished an easy winner by a length and a half. Claverhouse, said to be coughing and “ all to pieces,” was last. There's a proverb which recommends “ having a shy though you may lose your stick ;” but its philosophy don't extend to the policy of running a sick horse, with the contingency of losing his future services. We have now arrived at the event of the day par excellence... The Goodwood Cup, value 300 sovereigns, &c., &c., 30 subscribers. This lot furnished a field of half a score, at the following final odds :---Nancy, 2 to 1 against her ; 9 to 4 Cariboo, 9 to 2 Cossack, 10 to 1 Montes, 12 to 1 Lord George, 15 to 1 Cnæus, the same against Clincher, 50 to 1 War-horse, the same Glenhawk. The latter animal, said to have been started to make the pace for Cariboo, was the first at work when the flag feil, the ruck close behind him. No change of any account occurred till at the mile-post Cariboo showed in the van; but the speed was obviously a very low average, the whole of them being still upon good terms. As they ascended the hill the favourite drew towards the front, and consequently forced the rate of running. As they faced you, coming down the fall to the rails, it seemed that the pace had unfolded its tale-or tail-for, save Nancy and 'Cossack, all were out of it, and the filly had it apparently her own way. Between the Stand and the Chair, however, Alfred Day made a rush with Cossack that for some cause or other looked as if it had put the result in jeopardy-ultimately Nancy winning cleverly by a head. Onæus, the third, was a couple of lengths from Cossack: the others, save Land. grave, made a bad finish. Glenhawk paid for his temerity at the beginning by breaking down. I refrain from any comments on the result. It is manifest that the best animal in the race won it, and that I take to be the end and purpose of the turf. What succeeded in reference to the winner's age has already been related...... The Racing Stakes, 13 subscribers, had three runners, with 7 to 4 on Hippolytus, and 2 to I against The Confessor. The latter went in front very soon after they had started, kept there to the end, and won easily by a length. The Bentinck Memoriul Stakes, for two-year olds, 76 subscribers, with a great many conditions, had a field of four ; the betting at starting being even on Red Hind, and 6 to 5 against Bay Rosalind. As soon as they settled to their work, the favourite led at smart speed, Rosalind second : at the Stand she set-to, caught the Hind and beat her, winning a close race by half a length. The other pair had nothing to do with the finish. The Duke of Richmoud's Plate-handicap -- induced half a score to try their heels. They laid 5 to 4 on Humphrey, 3 to 1 against Cotton Lady, and 10 to 1 against anything else. After a scrambling get off they came as hard as they could crack from end to end. At the distance Preslaw and Tordesillas were in front, and they struggled home together, the latter winning by a length. The Molecomb Stakes, with 19 subscribers, produced a race between five. Odds, 2 to 1 on Maidstone !... and 5 to 1 against Chief Baron Nicholson, Glenluce took the lead, and kept it, and won cleverly by a length.. The stable favourite was a bad fourth! Hard“ lines" are such as these. The Anglesey Plate-amateur, was contended for by five, and won by Captain Little riding Agis. For a Sweepstakes of 100 soys. each, for three-year-olds, 5 subs., The Squaw walked over, Juggernaut withdrawing his stake. For the Sussex Stakes, two-year-olds, 5 subs., Canterbury walked over ; and so the list was run-and walked-out. Friday was avowedly afflicted with the “slows." The “swells,” it has been seen, had lost their money. “It is good to be merry and wise"- and discretion is the better part of valour. Hence the first day was flat and unprofitable-as related to the profession. Business began with the Richniond Stakes of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft., for three-year-olds ; 13 nominations had a trio at the post. They laid 6 to 4 on Hesse Homberg, 5 to 2 against Runnymede, and 3 to 1 against The SquawMr. Gratwicke declaring to win with her. The finish was between Hesse Homberg and Runnymede-the former winning cleverly by a length. The Chesterfield Cup, handicap; 33 subscribers brought out a dozen. The betting was brisk at the following prices : Against Montague they took 5 to 2,3 to 1 against Backbiter, 5 to 1 Officious, 6 to 1 Strongbow, 9 to 1 Windischgratz, and 10 to 1 Dulcet and Miss Ann. The pace, which was the best foot foremost that could be mustered, pretty soon disposed of the favourites-the finish, from the distance in, lying absolutely between the two last in the odds--of the pair of “boots” Miss Ann being the best by a head. The Queen's Plate, five runners, was a terrible finish between Cariboo and Woolwich-5 to 4 on the latter and 2 to 1 against Cariboo. The non-favourite won, after a " gruelling" that he wont forget in a hurry. The Nassau Stakes of 50 Soys. each, for three-year-old fillies, 19 subscribers, and a quintet at the post, was booked at 7 to 2 on Aphrodite, 6 to 1 against Barcelona, and 7 to 1 against Anspach. Hurry Scurry and The Squaw--par nobilewere the first off, and so they ran the first half of the distance : Anspach then went up, led the charge gallantly, and won cleverly by a length ; Aphrodite was second, beating Barcelona by a short length... Thus “the swells” caught it again...... "When sorrows come, they come not single spies." The Nursery Stakes, a two-year-old handicap, 31 subscribers, lad . a dozen at the post. Betting. 3 to 1 against Joe Miller-a great “pot"-the same Senorita, 5 to 1 M. Houdin, 5 to 1 Frantic, 7 to 1 Benita, and 8 to 1 Hambletonian. The scramble up to the distance, at that point resulted in a match in front of the ruck between Joe Miller and Frantic. Presently the latter took a decided lead, held it to the chair, and won by half a length! “ Iterum Crispinus”... The March Stakes, amateur, had 8 nominations and a trio to dispose of the issue. They laid 6 to 4 against Faux-pas, and 2 to 1 against Sagacity. A rattling race, won on the post by Sagacity by a head; and again, and for the last chance, the fielders threw in! A Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for four-year-olds, 6 subs., William the Conqueror walked over for. And thus ended Goodwood Races, in the memorable year of 1851. They have not passed without pointing their moral. Nancy and Cariboo, and the discomfiture of the gentlemen, are quoted as modern instances by those who contend for the theory that “ The Gods are just, and of our pleasant vices Make whips to scourge us." Let it not be supposed that in the provinces they are idle all this while. They are at it, on the contrary, here and there and everywhere. At " Chewton,'' in the Mendip Hills, they finished July with a meeting; ditto Knutsford ; and in the first week of August there was racing at Ripon for two days, at the North Staffordshire meeting for two days, at Boston, Wyke, Leith, and elsewhere. But like the bird immortalised by Sir Boyle Roche, we were fain content oursef with one place at a time. So Brighton was our perch for the nonce. Here progress was the order of the day. A new Grand Stand had been built, and against it the only objection which has been urged is that it does not afford a sight of the sports. “On the visitors taking their positions in the principal floors and on the wings,” observes Bell's Life, “under the delusive idea that they were going to see the racing, it at once became obvious that in this most important essential the architect had signally failed"... In the matter of finance, the three days acquitted themselves very handsomely. After deductions and profits on the sales of winners, &c., the net sum disbursed to the credit of the racing was £848–donations of claret and champagne don't count. The weather was propitious, and as people, upon the authority of the Times, now live upon railways, of course the muster was considerable. What a smash there will be one of these fine days! Wait till a couple of the Great Western express trains meet upon the same line of rails at a speed of eighty miles an hour-that's all... The Trial Stakes, which opened the list on Wednesday, the 6th ult, had four nominations and three at the post. Of these The Squaw was the favourite, at 7 to 4 on her-and she justified the estimate, winning easily by a length. The Pavilion Stakes, for twoyear olds, had 5 nominations and three runners. The odds were 3 to 1 on Freedom. The crack led from end to end, and won easily by a length. The Brighton Stakes, 80 subscribers, had a field of fourteen, at the following prices to backers : 5 to 2 against Westow, 6 to 1 Lord George, 7 to 1 Backbiter, the same Narcissus, 8 to 1 Sir Rowland Trenchard, and 12 to 1 each Cossack, Landgrave, and Cnæus. The fact was in favour of Lord George, “ in a canter by three lengths ;" a fine race for second between Cossack and Cnæus, won by the former on the post by a head! For the Steward's Plate, Preslaw, the worst in the ring, 4 to 1 against him, ran a dead heat with St. Ann, and won the conqueror by à length. The Hotel Keepers' Handicap turned out a party of eleven, and Catalpa, 2 to 1, was the easy winner by two lengths. The Town Plate closed the amusements with three lieats, Cheerful the winner. Thursday was a very low average in the quality of its incidents. There was no race for the Cup-walked over for by Landgrave--and the Graud Stand Plate did not turn out “ pleasant." There were 14 nominations, and of these seven ran-or, at all events, started. Betting 7 to 4 against Duc-an-Dhurras, 4 to 1 Westow, ditto Ischia, 5 to 1 Retail, and 10 to 1 Agis. Duc-an-Dhurras having made a voluntary start, for which the jockey was fined €5, |