A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, with four nominations, was run a match between Stella, with a turn of the odds-and Flatman—on her, and Elspeth-which the former won by four lengths -a canter. Father Thames walked over for the Welcome Stakes; then did the same for a Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 6 subscribers and so the first act of the royal performance terminated......

During the night it rained a torrent, and Wednesday dawned with a little deluge. From the dawn till the next morning, thus it continued, with such fortune as might be anticipated: the attendance was exclusively professional. During the day, the following question in Olympic Equity was submitted for the discussion of the Stewards. Officious was proposed for entry for the Royal Hunt Cup. It was thereupon contended that, having won the Trial Stakes on the preceding day, she had incurred a penalty of 7lbs., the value of the stake being more than one hundred pounds. In proof, the conditions were tendered in evidence-viz., "The Royal Hunt Cup, a piece of plate value 200 sovs., by subscription of 10 sovs. each, with 100 added, for all ages (two years old excepted). New Mile. Weights to be declared on the Tuesday after Epsom. The winner of any handicap plate or stake, value 100 sovs., including the winner's stake, after the weights are declared, to carry 7lbs. extra." The Ascot Trial Stakes is a weight-forage race. The authorities decided that Officious, under the terms of the conditions, should carry the penalty. Those gentlemen, no doubt, came to that conclusion honourably and conscientiously. My impression is that their reading was not the correct one. The principle of the stipulation, all through, has reference to handicapping. So far from any provision being contemplated having a relative application to weight-for-age racing, two-year-olds are excluded by the conditions from the Royal Hunt Cup-the only age at which race-horses are not within the operation of the system of weight for performance. It would be satisfactory to the collectors of turf Notes and Queries, if this instance should fall under the notice of the framers of the rules for the Royal Hunt Cup, did they make public what their intentions upon the point actually were.

The Coronation Stakes brought out a trio to represent the dozen named. They betted 6 to 4 on Caloric. Lord Orford's filly by Ion, out of Exotic, won, beating Hirsuta by a head, who beat the favourite by a like distance-a pretty finish, considering the premises. The Albany Stakes Hobbie Noble walked over for, Mr. Greville being permitted to save his stake with Frantic. The Royal Hunt Cup, a handicap, with half-a-hundred nominations, had three-and-twenty of them at the post, with 7 to 2 against Ephesus-the winner! Perhaps it may be suggested that this champion "fought with beasts:" no doubt the array against him was not a brilliant host. But it should be had in mind that this our Ephesian was considered good enough to be sent for both the Derby and St. Leger, and, at three years old, to win £366 in a stake, with 8st. 7lbs. on him. Whereas here, with a year in hand, he had three-and-twenty pounds less to carry, and Tommy Lye for a pilot: our antique friend waited like an almighty Stoic. The course is a contrivance whereby, under occasional conditions, your man of enterprise may enlist in his behalf an old head upon young shoulders-halfa-century's experience of the pigskin mounted upon the effigy of a thriving baby, in or about weaning-time. The first year of the fourth

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award the prophets the impunity of wrong to which they lay claim under cover of this casualty. If their fine frenzy" makes no account of rain in these latitudes, its premises are most undeniably bad, to say nothing of the principle. About midsummer racing assumes a character of peculiar interest. The three-year-old stock has by that time become, for the most part, known for its merits or demerits, and then the keen encounter of wit among the talents begins, or ought to begin, if the turf be not utterly surrendered to the evil spirit. The two-year-old stock is making its debut, in earnest form, after the Newmarket Spring series. And the old ones are full of lusty life, or fit as fiddles" in the vernacular of the stable, though I am unable to say how the contrast sympathises......

And here I crave a few lines' space, to request those gentlemen who anonymously communicate with the publishers on the subject of these papers, to furnish their names and addresses to the editor of the Sporting Review, and they shall be answered-personally.

The list mustered nine events, whereof seven produced contests. The first of these was the Trial Stakes. Half a score ran-the first in the betting, at 7 to 2 against either, being Officious and Hothorpe, and they were first also in the fray, in the order of their quotation-the mare, however, winning in a canter; but as related to Olympian pretensions it was a sorry sight. The second year of the Third Triennial, with its 47 nominations, gave us a quartet at the post-the winner of the Oaks causing the company to be especially select. The Duke of Richmond ran a brace, Harbinger and Red Hind, the fourth being Filius. Songstress, with even betting on her, made the running, and won very cleverly by a length. The third year of the Second Triennial, for four-year-olds, 46 subscribers, and half-a-dozen competitors. Little Midas, with 5 to 2 against him, won in a fine race by a head-having cut out the work-of course. The Ascot Derby had 10 subscribers, and a trio to go. They laid 6 to 4 on Red Hind, a jade with the temper of Petrucio's Catherine. The winner was Convulsion-the last the favourite in consequence of a tumble over a dog, by which, fortunately, her jockey, Flatman, was not injured, though he had a very ugly fall. This sensation was succeeded by the preparations for the chief issue of the day-The Golden Vase, given by Her Majesty. The muster amounted to eight-the latest betting being 5 to 2 against Frantic, 11 to 4 Barbarian, 6 to 1 against the colt by Phlegon, out of Marinella, and 10 to 1 Ambrose. Thus, when it is stated that Nancy numbered among the throng, it will be observed that she was friendless. Very soon after the flag fell, there ensued a wild goose chase, with Baron Rothschild's champion for leader, and Nancy for "boots;" this, too, with the pace an ordinary average donkey's gallop. As they drew near they were on better terms, and setting to work at their best up the straight ("ineline") run home. The Marinella colt had enough left in him to win, beating Little Harry, second, by a length cleverly. The Ascot Stakes, with its 86 subscriptions, arranged eleven at the post. They took 5 to 2 against Buckthorn, and among the others in the market was Lucio, about worst, at 8 to 1. The handicap of the running was on sufferance, for as soon as Lucio went at it in earnest, which he did at the distance, he beat the half score by three lengths, without an effort. Of course, “the ground did it "-what's the odds, so long as there's a scapegoat?

A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, with four nominations, was run a match between Stella, with a turn of the odds-and Flatman-on her, and Elspeth-which the former won by four lengths -a canter. Father Thames walked over for the Welcome Stakes; then did the same for a Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., 6 subscribers and so the first act of the royal performance terminated......

During the night it rained a torrent, and Wednesday dawned with a little deluge. From the dawn till the next morning, thus it continued, with such fortune as might be anticipated: the attendance was exclusively professional. During the day, the following question in Olympic Equity was submitted for the discussion of the Stewards. Officious was proposed for entry for the Royal Hunt Cup. It was thereupon contended that, having won the Trial Stakes on the preceding day, she had incurred a penalty of 7lbs., the value of the stake being more than one hundred pounds. In proof, the conditions were tendered in evidence-viz., "The Royal Hunt Cup, a piece of plate value 200 sovs., by subscription of 10 sovs. each, with 100 added, for all ages (two years old excepted). New Mile. Weights to be declared on the Tuesday after Epsom. The winner of any handicap plate or stake, value 100 sovs., including the winner's stake, after the weights are declared, to carry 7lbs. extra." The Ascot Trial Stakes is a weight-forage race. The authorities decided that Officious, under the terms of the conditions, should carry the penalty. Those gentlemen, no doubt, came to that conclusion honourably and conscientiously. My impression is that their reading was not the correct one. The principle of the stipulation, all through, has reference to handicapping. So far from any provision being contemplated having a relative application to weight-for-age racing, two-year-olds are excluded by the conditions from the Royal Hunt Cup-the only age at which race-horses are not within the operation of the system of weight for performance. It would be satisfactory to the collectors of turf Notes and Queries, if this instance should fall under the notice of the framers of the rules for the Royal Hunt Cup, did they make public what their intentions upon the point actually were.

The Coronation Stakes brought out a trio to represent the dozen named. They betted 6 to 4 on Caloric. Lord Orford's filly by Ion, out of Exotic, won, beating Hirsuta by a head, who beat the favourite by a like distance-a pretty finish, considering the premises. The Albany Stakes Hobbie Noble walked over for, Mr. Greville being permitted to save his stake with Frantic. The Royal Hunt Cup, a handicap, with half-a-hundred nominations, had three-and-twenty of them at the post, with 7 to 2 against Ephesus-the winner! Perhaps it may be suggested that this champion "fought with beasts:" no doubt the array against him was not a brilliant host. But it should be had in mind that this our Ephesian was considered good enough to be sent for both the Derby and St. Leger, and, at three years old, to win £366 in a stake, with 8st. 7lbs. on him. Whereas here, with a year in hand, he had three-and-twenty pounds less to carry, and Tommy Lye for a pilot: our antique friend waited like an almighty Stoic. The course is a contrivance whereby, under occasional conditions, your man of enterprise may enlist in his behalf an old head upon young shoulders-halfa-century's experience of the pigskin mounted upon the effigy of a thriving baby, in or about weaning-time. The first year of the fourth

Ascot Triennial Stakes, for two-year-olds, with 43 subscribers, was confined to a company of half-a-dozen. They laid 6 to 4 against The Reiver, 10 to 6 ditto Cheddar, 5 to 1 Auld Acquaintance, ditto the filly by Touchstone, out of Cuckoo, and 10 to 1 War-whoop. The favourite won, under disadvantages, having taken the brook-that is to say, what is the road in seasonable weather, and torn off a plate-probably in his leap. Barcelona walked over for the Queen's Guineas; and then came the Fern Hill Stakes, nine nominations, and four at the post. They laid 5 to 2 on Vaultress, and she won in a canter by a dozen lengths. She is in next year's Derby, Oaks, and Leger, and has thus offered a pretty preface for a book. They say that a dog was slipped at her as she passed the stand in due time, tigers will be "shaken" in the weighing-rooms. Maria having won a Fifty-pounds Handicap Plate, beating four, with 6 to 4 against her, the water-works ended-for the day!

Who that assisted at the Ascot Cup anniversary of 1852 will ever forget it? Mirth was out of the question: what amount of spirit may retain its flavour under an exhibition of ten thousand per cent. of the element-cold-without anything else? Except the mud! Ah! woe

is me! What angelic boots! what seraphic slippers, perished amid the merciless mire! The very policemen, stern statues done up in oilskin impenetrable as the hide of the rhinoceros, cut it ;" and "fair women" waded to their carriages-so they did-up to their ancles. I say they had no alternative: "slap into the slough, or lodge where you are for the night, Mrs. Ferguson."... People said the Queen wouldn't come : they argued that there were sleighs in the royal mews at Windsor, but no boats. Nevertheless, her Majesty was on the ground-to the minute; and when it is borne in mind that amphibious creatures are for the most part mute, it is wonderful what acclamations hailed her advent. There are two lines of rail from London to Windsor, one broad gauge and one narrow-just as the good-natured man had two holes in the door of his barn: a big hole to let in his big cat, and a little hole to let in his kitten. In the Times newspaper of to-day-the longest day of the year-there are quotations of twenty-three railway companies whereof the £100 shares are all paid up. Of these, two are above par: one at £107, and the other £125 the share: and twenty-one are at a discount, whereof the minimum rules at £17. All hail to the locomotive philosophy of the nineteenth century!......The opening event was a Sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each, h. ft., for three-year-olds; 17 subscribers; the Swinley Course. They laid 6 to 5 against Harbinger and 2 to 1 against Ben Nevis-the latter the winner by a head: four ran. The Visitor's Plate brought out five: Harpsichord, at 5 to 4 against him, was the favourite; then Barcelona 2 to 1, Ianthe 4 to 1, and Ilex 5 to 1. The finish was a very punishing struggle between the first and second in the betting-won by the favourite by a neck. The Windsor Forest Stakes was run a match between Flirt, with 6 to 4 on her, and Sally a wretched burlesque on a race-won by the favourite. This brought us- and we were thankful!-to the great issue, the Emperor's Plate. A couple of dozen were named for it, and nine showed-the majority with their tails "clubbed," as the metropolitan undertakers' teams are wont to be during the winter season on black jobs. A less picturesque style of coiffeur was never affected by chivalry. Imagine Hobbie Noble winning the Derby in a queue such as that sported

by Mr. T. P. Cooke, in Black-eyed Susan! The rain-it rained ruthlessly-and the field was ordered to parade in front of the Royal Stand. Some said it was a pity, and some said it was not, and spake of the good it would do to the Spitalfields weavers. The odds were 7 to 4 against Voltigeur, 4 to 1 Mountain Deer, 9 to 2 Hobbie Noble (the snobbiest-looking quadruped you might expect to meet in such society), 6 to 1 Joe Miller, and 12 to 1 The Black Doctor. Instead of pouring dogs and cats, bad Phoebus been smiling his brightest, and birds of Paradise singing their sweetest (provided always that they belong to the family of feathered songsters a fact in natural history not within my experience), the parade could not have been more courtly. First they cantered; then they galloped; and then they walked-the most unkindest cut of all; and at length off they went. I could make nothing of them till they were about half-way between the distance and the Grand Stand. There it was as manifest as a good glass could testify, that Joe Miller was going infinitely faster and fairer than any of his antagonists. As they slashed past the post he was half-a-dozen lengths clear of everything; and thus he led them down the Swinley fall, the field following-wild-goose fashion. What boots it canvassing the series of the tail? As soon as they had cleared the quagmire which skirted the Windsor Road, and over which you saw that Joe had been "flattered" by the little Mann on his back, on went the jolly Miller again, and the hopes of the Voltigeurs were nine fathom deep" in the river d." The farther they went the less they liked it, and Joe Miller cantered home at his ease, winning by a couple of lengths. The Black Doctor and Hobbie got up a race between them for second place, which the Derby "pot" had the worst of, receiving, according to the new Royal Plates' scale, not much short of half a stone for age..." Nothing else wasn't nowhere"-so said a facetious friend of mine-though no grammarian, a man of " a stable mind." Mountain Deer walked in as if he had come from forty minutes over the Harboro' country. What a hunter that horse would make! but you had as well not hint it to the Squire, unless his hands are tied behind his back. The New Stakes, with 28 nominations, gave us a sight or sample of a dozen of the lot. They backed Pelion to win at even, and in many instances at odds on him; laid 7 to 2 against Prevention, 5 to 1 Pug Orrock, and 10 to 1 apiece about Gunnersbury, Miss Emma, and Tamerlane. They appeared to be on pretty even terms to the Stand, where Hybla, next the rails, Prevention, and Pug Orrock set-to, and terminated a rattler, each a head from the other, in the order they are here placed. It will, however, hardly affect the market much in relation to coming events. The St. James's Palace Stakes, 8 subscribers, came off a match between Daniel O'Rourke and Alcoran: 2 to 1 on the former. He peeled suspiciously, however, having his near hip divested of its covering to the circumference of a dinner plate, or thereabouts. He had met with an accident in his van, but no bones were broken. In their canter the result looked a foregone conclusion: the Derby champion was short, sharp, and decisive in his stride-the style of action for a course like "plough" after a month's moisture. Alcoran went as if it didn't suit him-neither did it. The chesnut made the pace as good as it suited his policy, and when Alcoran made his effort opposite the Stand, he ran out, which is the polite way of expressing the dodge of a distressed and beaten horse. A Handicap Plate of £50, Gladiole won in a canter,